Course overview
Interested in how the human mind works? Want to delve more into the subject and explore why humans behave in certain ways?
With our AQA GCSE Psychology, you can choose to study online or from a course pack. Gain your official GCSE at your own pace, from your own environment.
Explore the functions of memory. Understand how the brain develops. Learn about social influence and find out about mental health!
Add on your exams and we will book these for you!
Recognition
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
Duration study load
You will have 1 year to complete your course with access to your tutor support through email. This means you can study your course at your own pace, at a time that suits your lifestyle.
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Pathways
- A-Level Psychology
Course features
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated student support
- Accreditation
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Free CV critique service
- Free employability guide to help you impress future employers
The course pack option also includes:
- Comprehensive study guide
- Ballpoint pen and highlighter
- Student study planner
- Student notebook
- Document wallet
Assessment
You will be assessed across the above topics by 2 paper-based exams.
Exams can be included in the cost of your course. If you add these on with us, these must be taken at our Birmingham, Bolton, Doncaster, London or Macclesfield exam centre, so please ensure you’re able to travel to these locations before you enrol onto this course.
Course outcome
Once you have successfully completed your course you will receive your AQA GCSE Psychology. You will be graded based on your marks under the new 9-1 scale. The GCSE is recognised by universities, schools and employers.
Exam details
Paper 1: Cognition and behaviour
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Weighting: 50% of GCSE
- Total Marks: 100
What’s assessed: Memory, perception, development and research methods. You will be expected to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire course of study to show a deeper understanding of these topics.
Questions:
- Section A: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section B: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section C: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section D: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
Paper 2: Social context and behaviour
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Weighting: 50% of GCSE
- Total Marks: 100
What’s assessed: Social influence, language, thought and communication, brain and neuropsychology and psychological problems. Students will be expected to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire course of study to show a deeper understanding of these topics.
Questions:
- Section A: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section B: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section C: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
- Section D: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
Delivery
Study for your Psychology GCSE at your own pace, in your own environment. Studying through distance learning means you can learn whenever and wherever you want! Choose to study your GCSE Psychology online or from a course pack. Full tutor support will be available via email, so help is only a click away.
Subjects
- Processes of memory: encoding, storage and retrieval
- Structures of memory
- Memory as an active process
- Sensation and perception
- Visual cues and constancies
- Gibson’s direct theory of perception – the influence of nature
- Visual illusions
- Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception – the influence of nurture
- Factors affecting perception
- Early brain development
- Piaget’s stage theory and the development of intelligence
- The role of Piaget’s theory in education
- The effects of learning on development
- Formulation of testable hypotheses
- Types of variable
- Sampling methods
- Designing research
- Correlation
- Research procedures
- Planning and conduction research
- Ethical considerations
- Quantitative and qualitative data
- Primary and secondary data
- Computation
- Descriptive statistics
- Interpretation and display of quantitative data
- Normal distributions
- Conformity
- Obedience
- Prosocial behaviour
- Crowd and collective behaviour
- Relationship between language and thought
- Effect of language and thought on the view of the world
- Differences between human and animal communication
- Non-verbal communication
- Explanations of non-verbal behaviour
- Structure and function of the nervous system
- Neuron structure and function
- Structure and function of the brain
- An introduction to neuropsychology
- An introduction to mental health
- Mental health problems and society
- Characteristics of clinical depression
- Theories of depression
- Interventions or therapies from depression
- Addiction
About Open Study College
At Open Study College we have helped more than 90,000 students over the last 13 years to enrol on courses that have helped them to achieve their goals.
Offering over 650 courses ranging from childcare to beauty therapy, we have something for everybody. All of our qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations to provide courses such as A-Levels, GCSEs, and CACHE.
We have a fantastic team of expert tutors, knowledgeable and friendly student advisors and a caring student support team. We’re dedicated to supporting our students and pride ourselves on our service and care. We’re also proud to be rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from over 1,500 reviews.
Family, respect and compassion are just some of the core values our company is built upon. Everyone’s lives are different and we want to ensure that no matter what your situation is, you’re able to get to where you need to. Whether that’s developing your current job, embarking on a brand new career, or fuelling a hobby, we have the course for you.
