Programme of Study & Syllabus
Contents
The Syllabus, Examinations and Assessment
How Your Work is Assessed on the Course
The Transition from (I)GCSE to AS and A Level - Some Tips
Download your Programme of Study Download Download your Programme of Study
Welcome to your Wolsey Hall Cambridge AS Psychology course. Please take the time to read carefully through this page as it explains how the course is structured, how to get the most out from your studies and how your work will be assessed. At the end of this page, you will find details of the reading you will need to do from your textbook and also how each module links to the CAIE syllabus and the final examinations.
This course will lead you step-by-step through the syllabus by way of video links, resources, assignments and, of course, the textbook, so that by the end, you will be confident and fully prepared for your final examinations.
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. The word “psychology” comes from the Greek words “psyche”, meaning life, and “logos”, meaning explanation. Psychology is a popular subject at A Level with students, a popular topic in the public media and a part of our everyday lives. Television programmes feature psychologists who provide personal advice to those with personal or family difficulties and crime dramas feature the work of forensic psychologists who use psychological principles to help them solve crimes. Most of us have direct knowledge of Psychology because we may have visited psychologists, such as school counsellors, family therapists and bereavement counsellors. Psychology, and its impact, is all around us. Most psychologists work in research laboratories, hospitals and other field settings where they study the behaviour of humans and animals. Psychologists also work in schools and businesses, and they use a variety of methods, including observation, questionnaires, interviews and laboratory studies to help them understand behaviour. Psychology helps us to understand what makes individuals ‘tick’.
As an AS Psychology student, you will review important psychological research; this provides an insight into the ways in which Psychology has been applied, thereby leading to a better understanding of key approaches, research methods and issues and debates. The Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology syllabus is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge and ability. It aims to encourage an interest in, and appreciation of, the subject through an exploration of the ways in which Psychology is conducted. This includes a review of a number of important research studies. The syllabus uses a wide variety of assessment techniques to enable learners to show what they know, understand and are able to do. The emphasis is on the development of psychological skills as well as the learning of psychological knowledge.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Show an understanding of psychological concepts, theories and research findings;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the range and limitations of psychological theory and practice;
- Explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and everyday life;
- Demonstrate skills of analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation;
- Show an understanding of ethical issues in psychology, including the moral and ethical implications of psychological research;
- Appreciate and understand individual, social and cultural diversity;
- Understand psychological approaches, issues and debates and research methods;
- Demonstrate improved communication skills.
The Syllabus, Examinations and Assessment
This Wolsey Hall course is designed to prepare you for the Cambridge AS Psychology examinations which you will sit at a Cambridge exam centre. It is vitally important that you become familiar with the syllabus which can be found below:
READ – Syllabus 2024-26 (CAIE) Download READ – Syllabus 2024-26 (CAIE)
READ – Reference List for 2024-26 (CAIE) Download READ – Reference List for 2024-26 (CAIE)
READ – Syllabus 2027 (CAIE) Download READ – Syllabus 2027 (CAIE)
READ – Reference List for 2027 (CAIE) Download READ – Reference List for 2027 (CAIE)
The examination code for AS and A Level Psychology is: 9990
For the AS Level in Psychology you will sit two papers:
- Paper 1: Approaches, Issues and Debates – This paper is worth 50% of your AS grade and 25% of your overall A Level grade. Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
This paper carries 60 marks in total.
Section A: short answer questions based on core studies (38 marks)
Section B: extended response and essay questions, based on core studies (22 marks)
- Paper 2: Research Methods – This paper is worth 50% of your AS grade and 25% of your overall A Level grade. Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
This paper carries 60 marks in total.
Section A: short answer questions and scenario-based questions (46 marks)
Section B: a planning question divided into several parts (14 marks)
All components are externally assessed.
The syllabus is examined in the June and November examination series. This syllabus is also available for examination in March for students in India only.
Assessment Objectives
The assessment objectives (AOs) for AS and A Level Psychology are as follows:
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
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- psychological terminology, concepts, theories, studies, evidence and methodology including research methods, issues and debates;
- the theoretical, ethical and practical considerations that influence the planning and conduct of psychological research;
- psychological techniques used by psychologists in everyday life.
- AO2: Application
Using knowledge and understanding of psychology, as listed above, so that it can be applied to a rane of scenarios.
Scenarios could be familiar or unfamiliar and may be taken from a range of everyday life or theoretical contexts.
This includes:
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- explaining how psychology is applicable to a particular scenario, context or issue;
- using and applying information in words or using other forms of presentation;
- using relevant psychology to support points or develop arguments;
- demonstrating awareness of the links between psychology used to support points or develop arguments;
- using knowledge and understanding to plan an investigation.
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- AO3: Analysis and evaluation
Analysing and evaluating psychological concepts, theories, studies, evidence and methodology in terms of issues and debates.
This includes:
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- recognising bias in psychological data, research and studies;
- explaining the strengths and weaknesses of psychological concepts, theories, studies and methodology and of candidates’ plans for investigations;
- being able to use a range and/or variety of evidence to demonstrate the complexity of psychological issues and debates;
- reaching conclusions about arguments based on a reasoned consideration of available evidence.
Wolsey Hall offers a unique model of offline and online resources to our homeschooling students – a model which we have developed based on our many years’ experience of providing homeschooling courses to students.
Textbook
Each subject specialist team carefully selects the best textbook for you to use as you study. The textbook for your AS Psychology course is:
Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology Coursebook with Digital Access (2 years), by Julia Russell, Lizzie Gauntlett and Amy Papaconstantinou, (Cambridge University Press, 2022); ISBN: 9781009152488
This textbook comes with digital access. Scratch the panel inside the front cover to reveal your access code, then follow the instructions to register your account with Cambridge University Press. You will then have access to a digital version of the whole textbook and an interactive glossary. You will also find answers and guidance for the activities and questions in each chapter and for the exam-style questions at the end of each unit. The digital access is valid for two years, so we recommend registering only once you have started the course to ensure you retain access for the optimum amount of time in case you need to defer your exams for any reason.
Throughout the course, we recommend that you complete all of the questions and exercises in the textbook – the table below will highlight which pages you should read for each module.
Resources
In addition to your textbook, we have sourced a range of additional resources to support your learning. The resources are clearly marked out in the module pages and you should make use of these alongside your textbook to ensure that you get the very best out of your course.
You will also find a range of key resources in the General Resources section of the course. These are items which relate to the course as a whole, rather than to specific modules, and as such, you should make regular use of them. For AS Psychology, these are:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Introduction to Psychology
- How to Approach Application Answers
- Advice for Longer Evaluation-Style Questions
- AS Psychology CAIE Generic Mark Schemes
- Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes for Exams in 2024
- Preparing for your AS Psychology Exams
- Additional Material to Extend Your Knowledge of Psychology
- Optional Further Reading List
- Optional Films and TV Programmes Relating to Psychology
- Interesting TED Talks for Psychology
You should also make use of the extensive exam preparation material at the end of the course to help you to prepare for your final examination.
All the files required for your course are uploaded onto our Learning Management System, Canvas. Once you have read through this page and downloaded the Programme of Study (POS) then you are ready to begin the course.
The key course content is covered in nine core modules, each of which has an assignment at the end of it. These modules will help you to get the most out of your textbook.
Module Ten, at the end of the course, is focussed on revision and exam practice. It contains tips and tasks for you to work on once you have completed the course. At the end of Module Ten, your final assignment is an in-course mock exam and should be completed in exam conditions.
Each module is subdivided into topics so that you can study the course in manageable chunks. Each topic is set out as follows:
- Read and Make Notes – this section includes the page references for reading and note-making from your textbook.
- Tasks – this section identifies activities and exercises that build on your textbook reading.
- Links – throughout the course there are links to a range of resources that will enhance your understanding of key concepts and will give you an opportunity to apply your knowledge.
- Videos – you will find lots of video clips, lectures and so on for each subject to deepen your understanding.
- Activities in the Book – your attention will be drawn to relevant questions to answer in your textbook, including exam-style questions.
- Terminology – you will keep track of new terminology by making flashcards for revision as you progress through the course.
How Your Work is Assessed on the Course
Your progress will be assessed by completing an assignment at the end of each module. We recommend that you do NOT look at the assignments until you've studied all the topics in the module. This will ensure that you focus on everything you need to know for the exam. If you focus only on what you need to know to do well in the assignment, you will miss important elements in each module that you need to know and understand.
The assignments have been designed to help you prepare for your final examination – all of the questions are based on past exam papers. Answering exam-style questions is crucial in developing your exam technique, understanding exactly what the examiner is looking for in each case and ensuring you are confident when you tackle the real exams. We do not expect you to complete your first assignments without referring to your notes or textbook, however, we encourage you to rely less on these as you progress through the course. By your final assignment you should be able to work without reference to any additional notes.
On this course, we recommend the following:
- Take as long as you need to complete Assignments One to Three and use your textbook and notes as you familiarise yourself with the course and studying at this level.
- Treat Assignments Four to Ten* as tests and revise for them beforehand. Allow 75 minutes for each and complete them under timed conditions without access to your textbook or notes. This allows you to gain the best sense of your progress, your retention of the material and a more realistic grade. If you cannot answer any of the questions, leave those until the end and then use your textbook and notes to help you, but make a note to let your tutor know where you have done this.
- *Assignment Ten is a chance to revise material from across the whole of the AS course and should be completed under strict exam conditions as per the instructions provided.
The assignments allow you to think critically about what you have learned and will enable your tutor to see how well you are progressing. Your tutor will mark your assignments and provide you with detailed feedback. Once you have had your marked assignment returned, you will be able to access the mark scheme and/or a specimen answer (an A-grade piece of work). You should always reflect carefully on your tutor’s feedback and apply it in your future assignments.
You should read the assignment questions carefully and answer them to the best of your ability, providing relevant examples where necessary. If you don’t do well in your first assignment, don’t worry; your tutor is there to provide advice.
We ask that you do not submit multiple assignments at the same time. For you to see a steady improvement in your marks, it is very important that you reflect on your tutor’s feedback before beginning each new assignment, so that you can incorporate their tips for improvement into each new piece of work.
To get the best out of your course, before submitting each new assignment, you must:
- Complete all the reading, notes and activities in the preceding module;
- Read carefully through all of your tutor’s comments on your last assignment;
- Use the mark scheme and/or any exemplar or specimen answers provided to help you plan for the next assignment.
We cannot guarantee that tutors will be able to mark multiple assignments within 3-5 days and your work may be returned to you to complete again in light of more recent feedback.
All assignments are submitted via Canvas – you should consult the Canvas Guide for more information.
Optional Mock Exam Service
At the end of the course, you will have the chance to use our Optional Mock Examination Service to complete a full set of AS Psychology exam papers. These must be completed under examination conditions and will be marked by your tutor. They provide a good opportunity for you to test your subject knowledge and exam technique so you are well prepared for the examinations.
The Transition from (I)GCSE to AS and A Level - Some Tips
It is not necessary to have studied Psychology at (I)GCSE in order to study Psychology at AS and A Level. The vast majority of Psychology students start the subject at A Level and the course assumes no prior knowledge of the subject. If you have studied Psychology at (I)GCSE however, you will find that the A Level builds upon the ideas covered and adds more depth and detail to your understanding. Remember to keep up with your key terms and concepts whilst considering how what you learn at A Level helps you understand the (I)GCSE topics in more depth.
When you study a Wolsey Hall course, you are never alone. There are lots of people who are willing to help you. Everyone is on your side!
- Tutors: At Wolsey Hall, all our tutors are friendly and knowledgeable. They are subject experts and you should not be shy about asking them questions about your course. You will meet your tutor via Skype and you should contact them if you have any questions.
- Student Progress Managers: You have already been assigned a Student Progress Manager who can help with your assignment schedule.
- Exams Officers: Wolsey Hall’s Exams Officers are here to help students with any queries regarding exam centres.
- Canvas Help Desk: Canvas is a great virtual learning environment, but we understand that sometimes, even the best things can go wrong! If you have any problems with Canvas (e.g. uploading assignments or unable to access resources) you should submit a Canvas Help Ticket.
For information about how to create and submit a Help Ticket, please refer to the Canvas Guide.
We hope you’ll enjoy your course and studying at Wolsey Hall. We wish you the best of luck in your studies and success in your examinations. Please do let us know how you get on when you receive your examination results!
The Wolsey Hall Team