Applied Psychology

The course has 4 units that will be studied over 2 years

Year 12

Unit 1 – Psychological Approaches & Applications – externally assessed via a 90 minute exam

You will study the assumptions, some key concepts and research from:

• Social approach
• Cognitive approach
• Biological approach
• Learning approach

You will also apply these approaches to explain:

• Aggression
• Gender
• Consumer behaviour

Unit 2 – Conducting Psychological Research – internally assessed via written assessment tasks

You will develop an understanding of the whole research process

You will learn about research methods and need to be able to describe and evaluate:

• Quantitative methods of collecting data
• Qualitative methods of collecting data

You will develop an understanding of

• How to gather samples
• How to conduct ethical research

You will learn how to analyse data

As part of your internal assessment you will be required to design, conduct and write up your own piece of Psychological Research

Year 13

Unit 3  – Health Psychology – externally assessed via a 2 hour exam

You will study:

• Stress
• Behavioural addiction (gambling & shopping)
• Physiological addiction (alcohol & smoking)
• Theories of persuasion
• Treatment and management of stress and addiction

Unit 4 – Criminal and Forensic Psychology – internally assessed via written assessment tasks

You will learn about:

• Different explanations for criminal behaviour including:
  • Biological
  • Individual differences
  • Socio-psychological
• Dealing with crime
• Offending profiling

Overall – External assessment = 58%  internal assessment = 42%

The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to admission requirements to many relevant applied psychology courses.

When combined with other qualifications within a two-year study programme, you can progress to higher education to qualifications such as:

• A BSc in Forensic and Criminal Psychology
• BSc (Hons) in Occupational Health
• A BSc in Education and Child Psychology
• BSc (Hons) in Sport Psychology

(You should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific higher education providers.)

Pearson

BTEC Extended Certificate, this is equivalent to 1 A Level

At least five 4s at GCSE, including at least a grade 4 in English Language and Maths at GCSE