Why do people develop schizophrenia? How can the media play a part in human aggression? Psychology AS level explores big ideas and topics that affect human moods and behaviour.

Covering all six of the discipline’s core areas, there is plenty for you to learn and absorb in Psychology AS level online with NEC. The course enables you to combine research and analytical tools, with an ability to become a better communicator.

Studying  AS level Psychology online with NEC is ideal if you:

• Are interested in finding out how, and why, we behave as we do.
• Would like to increase your skill set – particularly in the areas of analytical research, team working, communication skills, handling data, statistics and problem solving.
• Want to learn more about research methods and how they can be utilised.
• Aspire to progressing in a relevant career or higher education.

Future opportunities

• Studying other sciences, or psychology, at degree level.
• A range of careers in fields such as psychology (occupational, clinical, health, educational or high-intensity psychologist roles), advertising, psychotherapy, counselling, consultancy and advice work.

Section 1: Approaching psychology

• Introduction to psychology and its origins
• Learning and cognitive approaches
• The biological approach and biopsychology

Section 2: Memory

• Multi-store model of memory
• Working memory model
• Explanations for forgetting
• Eyewitness testimony

Section 3: Social influence: conformity and obedience

• Conformity
• Obedience
• Resistance to social influence
• Minority influence and social change

Section 4: Developmental psychology: attachment

• Development of attachment
• Explanations of attachment
• Types of attachment
• Maternal deprivation

Section 5: Psychopathology

• Definitions of abnormality
• Phobias, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• The behavioural approach to phobias
• The cognitive approach to depression
• The biological approach to OCD

Section 6: Research methods

• Research methods
• Scientific processes
• Data analysis and presentation
• Maths resources

Study AS level Psychology with us and benefit from:

• Flexible learning
• Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
• Any time enrolment
• Our exam booking service
• Assignments with tutor feedback
• Ongoing support from Student Support
• Forums to discuss your course with other students

learn@nec

Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.

This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.

Meet Mo who is just one of our first-class Psychology tutors:

“I have over 20 years experience of teaching both Psychology and Sociology and I have worked as a senior examiner for a major exam board for many years. Psychology is a fascinating subject and offers us an insight into individuals and differences in behaviour. The course allows you to learn about various aspects of Psychology from what makes an individual obedient to the causes of mental illness. I am still learning new and exciting aspects of human behaviour. Which aspects of the specification interest you, will be a really personal discovery, this will allow you to investigate and learn more as your curiosity is raised. This means that I really enjoy working with students as they will always show me some insight or detail that I have never considered and it makes your studies collaborative.”

Exam board

• AQA 7181

Format

• Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Hours

• Complete at your own pace
• Approx. 120-150* hours plus time for completing assignments

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading.  Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.

Assignments

• 7 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

Resources

• Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course: AQA A level Psychology Book 1, Jean-Marc Lawton and Eleanor Willard, Hodder Education, 2015

Requirements

• Internet access
• Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• Access to learn@nec
• All the course materials you need to complete the course
• Support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment
• Assignment marking
• Marking for one past paper
• Guaranteed exam place
• free e-book version of the essential textbooks
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner to help you plan your study timetable
• Information on how to apply for exams
• Academic references if needed

Your course fee does not cover:

• Exam entry fees

Optional extras:

• Additional past paper marking
• Revision tutorial
• Optional tutorial
• Additional review

Studying for a vocational degree

Two exams:

• 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks
• 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks

Non-exam assessment (NEA):

• None

We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. In our experience learning online works best when either a parent or guardian are involved. This is why NEC has developed our unique Progress Tracker to help you to support your child.

NEC’s Progress Tracker will allow you to easily track your child’s progress across their subjects and gain insight to how well they are doing through access to their assignment grades and tutor feedback.  

Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.

Would you like to talk to our Course Advice Team about the best route for you? Visit our Contact Us page, fill in the form and a member of the team will get back to you!