Qualification

BTEC National Extended Certificate

Exam Board

Pearson

Course Leader

Miss Wright

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. In this engaging course, students gain a broad grounding in aspects of theoretical psychology in addition to applying their knowledge to issues of relevance in contemporary society. They also develop their research skills by engaging in psychological research of their own.

What will students learn?

Unit 1: Psychological Approaches and Applications: Approaches (Learning, Social, Cognitive and Biological). Contemporary topics (aggression, gender, consumer behaviour).

Unit 2: Conducting Psychological Research: Principles of research and the research process, research methods, research proposals, conducting and reviewing a pilot study.

Unit 3: Health Psychology: Definitions of health and ill health, research into health-related behaviour (theories and studies), stress, physiological (nicotine, alcohol), behavioural addiction (gambling, shopping), behavioural change (theories of persuasion, treatments, adherence).

Unit 4/5/6/7 (one further unit) from: Criminal and Forensic Psychology, Promoting Children’s Psychological Development, Introduction to Psychopathology, Applied Sport Psychology

How will students be assessed?

The course is assessed via formal examinations and ongoing assessment:

In year 12: unit 1 is examined externally (this exam can be retaken) and unit 2 is assessed via three assignments.

In year 13: unit 3 is examined externally and the optional unit is assessed via a number of assignments. At Wrenn the optional unit has traditionally been criminal and forensic psychology.

Questions in examinations require application to scenarios and ask for a combination of short, and medium length and essays. Outcomes can be Distinction *, Distinction, Merit or Pass. The course has parity with traditional A levels; for instance, a D*in Applied Psychology is equivalent in terms of UCAS points / offers to an A* at A level.