AS/A2 Level 2012 Entry
Psychology
1987-2012
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Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and is primarily 25 Years concerned with investigating what people do and why
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You will be challenged to realise your potential in a variety of exciting individuals and innovative ways
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Well qualified, enthusiastic and very experienced staff
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A history of high achievement well above the national average
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Workshops and lectures from guest speakers and practitioners
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Opportunities to go on trips to the Freud Museum in London and also to Berlin
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Provides many transferable skills which will give you numerous career options
of inspiring
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
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Laura’s Perspective After researching potential careers, I became interested in Speech Therapy and discovered that Psychology would be a useful element of the course. I’ve loved learning about the different approaches in Psychology and have enjoyed taking part in debates. The tutors at Carmel provide a supportive learning environment, helping you to reach your full potential through advice and realistic targets every step of the way. The social aspect of Carmel is also great, everyone is so friendly. I’ve been offered a place at the University of Manchester to study Speech and Language Therapy in September and I’m really excited to start the course. Studying Psychology has not only strengthened my application for university, but also facilitated me with a valuable insight into an area of study that will be important in my future.
Laura Braithwaite De La Salle Studying: Psychology, English Language, Graphics, ICT, Spanish, Extended Project
Meet the Tutors Carole Williams Head of Psychology & Head of Extended Projects John King Psychology Tutor
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AS/A2 Psychology Exam Board AQA SPECIFICATION B What will I study? In your L6th year you will study topics such as memory and forgetting. This will have practical applications for you in terms of showing you how to organise your notes more effectively and how to make sure you don’t forget key information in your exam. You can also study topics such as obsessive compulsive disorders and phobias. In addition you can look at the reasons why people obey or not, where has Psychology come from, who has influenced it and why it continues to be a really valuable subject to study whatever your future career plans are. The subject also gives you the opportunity to develop research skills and understand “how science works”.
In your U6th year straight after your summer holidays we explore topics such as mood disorders and schizophrenia, cognition and law, substance abuse, forensic psychology and cognitive development, which is particularly useful for any students thinking of a career in teaching. Many of our students who have progressed on to careers in medicine have found the study of abnormal behaviour invaluable. As Psychology is classified as a science, there is also a significant amount of Biology in the course and therefore you should have a strong science background.
What support will I receive? A range of support is available to you within the department. You can have one-to-one tutorials with any member of the department whenever you need them, as many as you like. There are group tutorials prior to an exam. We have AQA examiners teaching in the department who can guide and support you on any of the papers. You will experience a variety of teaching and learning styles and receive high quality resources, which are tailored to the needs of all students. You will be assessed regularly against the exam criteria and offered constructive feedback identifying what you are doing well and areas where you could still improve. You will have regular meetings with your tutors to discuss your progress and action plan for continuous improvement.
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Jonathan’s Perspective How will I be assessed? In your L6th year you will have one written paper in January and a second written paper in June, both worth 50% of the AS, and 1.5 hours long. In U6th again you have a written paper in January and your final written paper in June. Both papers are 2 hours long. Questions on the written papers are structured and follow a similar pattern. You will be given lots of opportunities to practise your technique. Where does this course lead? An A Level in Psychology can take you anywhere. It is one of the most transferable subjects you can study providing you with a variety of skills. Over a quarter of our students progress on to Psychology degrees with the intention of becoming psychologists. We also have students who have progressed on to careers in medicine, vet science and a range of health
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin
professions, dentistry, law, teaching, business, sport and the media to name but a few. What else will I do? You will benefit from guest speakers and practitioners visiting the college such as clinical psychologists who will lead workshops and lectures. We also attend specialist lectures organised by the exam board. You will also be given the opportunity to visit the Freud Museum in London and in addition we organise a joint trip with the History department to Berlin. As part of the Enrichment Programme, the Psychology department now offers students two 8 week courses; one is an Introduction to Forensic Psychology. The other is a Parapsychology course which includes visits from guest lecturers and a guided ‘Ghost Walk’ in Liverpool City Centre.
Olympic Stadium, Berlin
What is the department like? The department has over 300 students and four full time members of staff. Since September 2009, Psychology students have been studying in the newly built teaching block which provides a modern and spacious, state-of-the-art learning environment. Our department’s facilities include a suite of well resourced teaching bases equipped with interactive white boards, multi-media projectors and wireless internet connection. We use these resources to maximum effect to support your learning. Students also have access to a computer suite and study areas within the new building.
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I find Psychology to be truly fascinating. Not only do I find looking into the reasons for human behaviour interesting, but learning how to apply that knowledge to everyday situations proves to be extremely valuable. The facilities at Carmel are very beneficial, particularly the silent study area. The overall atmosphere at Carmel is great and welcoming. The staff are friendly and approachable, and the Psychology department runs regular tutorials to guide you through the academic year. I’ve been given an opportunity to attend the annual Berlin trip with the Psychology department which I’m hoping will be fun. During my time at Carmel, I have developed a large interest for Psychology and I hope to turn it into a future career. When I leave Carmel, I hope to go to the University of Liverpool to study Psychology and then go on to become a clinical psychologist.
Jonathan Porrino De La Salle Studying: Psychology, Graphic Communication, Applied Science
Meet the Tutors Karen Sheridan Psychology Tutor Sarah Don-Duncan Psychology Tutor
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Hannah’s Perspective I enjoy the independence that you get at Carmel while still having the security of your teachers being there to support you and help you if there is anything you need. I think that this combined with the work ethic at Carmel is important as it will help with the transition into university. I find Psychology an interesting subject because I like to explore what can influence or cause people to behave the way they do. I particularly enjoy learning about abnormal behaviour which is studied in AS with phobias and OCD as well as in A2 with schizophrenia and mood disorders. I hope to study this further at university and I think Carmel has provided a good basis for me to do this. Eventually I want to achieve a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and get a job focused on child and adult mental health.
How successful are Carmel’s Psychology students? Achievement is typically well above national averages. 2011 saw a 97% pass rate at A2 level with 48% at grades A*- B. Former Carmel student, Dr Shelly Morris-King... Shelly came to Carmel from St Hilda’s High School and studied A Level Psychology as one of her four subjects. She left Carmel in 1997 to read for a Psychology degree at York University. After graduating she chose to do a Masters Degree in Health Evaluation at Liverpool John Moores University followed by a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Leeds University.
that I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support and encouragement I was given by the tutors there. I didn’t just get my A Levels at Carmel; I really grew up there, learnt a lot about myself, made some great friends and really decided what it was I wanted to do with my life.” Shelly is continuing to study and is now undertaking an MSC in Clinical Neuropsychology at Glasgow University.
Shelly now works as a Chartered Clinical Psychologist at a high security hospital in the North West. “I work predominantly with patients with a history of violence and aggression, and supervise a group therapy programme. I also do the odd psychology lecture at different universities and have especially enjoyed returning to Carmel recently to teach psychology students.
Dr Shelly Morris-King
It’s great to see how much Carmel has developed since I was here. Going to Carmel was an amazing experience for me, and I’m sure
Hannah Clarke St Edmund Arrowsmith Studying: Psychology, Sociology, Biology, Critical Thinking
Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to have studied Psychology before I start my course at Carmel?
More Information For general information visit the British Psychological Society: www.bps.org.uk For specific information from the exam board go to: www.aqa.org.uk For a glance at the kind of things you are likely to study: www.s-cool.co.uk
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No, we assume that our students have never studied the subject before and start with the basics. What are the entry requirements for AS Psychology? You will need GCSE grade B in both English Language and Maths. Why do I need a grade B in Maths and English Language? The subject is academically rigorous and requires a high level of written, oral and numerical skills. It is not about reading people’s minds. What can I do with an A Level in Psychology? Psychology is an excellent subject, which will provide you with many transferable skills, which will give you numerous career options.
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