Institutional review
The order is recorded for institutional review and invoicing.
AQA A-level · Specification 7182
Online A-level Psychology Course
Explore how people think, behave and interact while developing a scientific understanding of psychological theories, research and evidence. This structured home-study course covers social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology, biopsychology, research methods, gender, schizophrenia and aggression.
Immediate access to the online course
38 lessons across eleven Psychology modules
Optional tutor marking, tutorials and printed materials
Start your Psychology course
£14.99 / month
Today’s payment:
£24.99
Includes:
- Course materials subscription
- Academic induction session and booking fee
Then
£14.99 per month
🔒 Minimum 6 months subscription applies.
For schools, colleges and local authorities
Build an institutional learner package
Choose the course access and support required for each learner. All options selected below apply to the number of identical learner places in this package.
-
Choose the number of places
Enter the number of learners who need the same course and package of support.
-
Select the support required
Add printed materials, assignment marking, practice exam marking or Annual Email Tutor Support as required.
-
Allocate learners later
Learner details are not required at checkout. Allocate each purchased place later through your institutional account.
Choosing the right package
Annual course access is included for every learner place. Add only the extra services needed by the learners in this package.
Please note: Assignment marking and Email Tutor Support are separate services. Email support covers brief questions and guidance; it does not replace assignment marking or individual tuition.
Package selection
Configure your learner places
The selections below apply to every learner place entered in this package.
Course overview
Understand behaviour through theory, evidence and research
A-level Psychology examines human behaviour and mental processes through scientific theories, research studies and carefully gathered evidence. You will consider how biological, cognitive, behavioural, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches offer different explanations of behaviour.
The course explores social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology before moving into biopsychology, research methods, issues and debates, gender, schizophrenia and aggression. You will learn to describe psychological theories, evaluate evidence, apply ideas to unfamiliar situations and interpret research findings.
Research methods and statistics are important throughout the course. You will examine experimental design, ethics, data presentation, inferential testing and the strengths and limitations of psychological research.
Qualification
AQA A-level Psychology
AQA specification 7182, covering compulsory Psychology content and the selected Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression options.
Course structure
11 modules · 38 lessons
Study psychological theories, research, applied topics, statistical methods and examination technique.
Recommended study time
Approximately 700 hours
Students should normally allow two years for lessons, reading, assignments, research methods and examination practice.
Enrolment
Start at any time
There are no fixed term dates, allowing you to plan study around your intended examination year.
Assignments
11 topic TMAs
Assignments develop psychological knowledge, application, evaluation, research methods and extended writing, followed by three full practice papers.
Assessment
3 written papers
Each examination lasts two hours, carries 96 marks and contributes one third of the final qualification.
Research skills
Scientific and statistical methods
Develop skills in research design, ethics, data interpretation, mathematical analysis and evaluation of evidence.
Coursework
No NEA or coursework
The qualification is assessed entirely through the three written examinations.
Psychology is a scientific subject
Successful Psychology answers must be based on recognised theories, studies and research evidence rather than personal experience or common-sense explanations. Students also need to understand research methods, interpret data and use basic statistical techniques.
Flexible home study
How the A-level Psychology course works
Work through the modules in sequence, beginning with research methods, ethical considerations and the principal approaches used to explain behaviour. These ideas are then applied across the compulsory and optional topics.
Each lesson combines structured course material with textbook reading, psychological theories, research studies, activities and examination-style questions. You will learn how to distinguish description from evaluation and how to support extended answers with relevant theory and evidence.
Research methods and statistics recur throughout the course. A calculator is needed for statistical calculations, but the emphasis is on understanding how research is designed, interpreted and evaluated rather than on advanced mathematics.
-
Enrol and start online
Enrol at any time and receive immediate access to your online Psychology course. Your included academic induction session helps you understand the structure and plan your studies.
-
Study theories and research
Learn how psychologists explain behaviour and examine the studies, evidence and research methods used to test those explanations.
-
Develop analytical answers
Practise describing, applying and evaluating psychological material through short answers, scenarios and structured extended responses.
-
Prepare for all three papers
Use tutor-marked assignments and full practice papers to improve psychological knowledge, research-method skills, timing and examination technique.
Flexible additional support
Add personal Psychology support when you need it
Assignment marking, Email Tutor Support, one-to-one tutorials, mock-exam marking and printed course materials can be purchased separately.
Keep answers focused on psychological evidence
Questions worth eight marks or more usually require a structured response supported by psychological theory and research. Personal opinions and everyday explanations will not replace accurate subject knowledge, application and evaluation.
Course content
What you’ll study
The course contains 38 lessons across eleven modules. The first year introduces research methods and the principal compulsory topics, while the second year develops approaches, issues and debates and the selected Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression options.
Module 1 Introductory Topics Begin with research methods, ethics, psychological approaches and the interpretation of data. 4 lessons
- Introduction
- Research Methods and Ethical Considerations
- Introduction to Approaches in Psychology
- Describing and Interpreting Data
Module 2 Social Influence Explore conformity, obedience, minority influence and social change. 3 lessons
- Social Influence
- Obedience
- Minority Influence and Social Change
Module 3 Memory Study models of memory, forgetting and the reliability of eyewitness testimony. 3 lessons
- Models of Memory
- Forgetting
- Eyewitness Testimony
Module 4 Attachment Examine animal and human attachment, early development, deprivation and separation. 3 lessons
- Attachment: Animals versus Humans
- Attachment: The Early Years
- Deprivation and Separation
Module 5 Theoretical Approaches in Psychology Compare biological, behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanistic explanations and develop inferential-statistics skills. 5 lessons
- The Biological and Biopsychological Approach
- The Behavioural Approach
- The Cognitive Approach and Neuroscience
- The Psychodynamic and Humanistic Approaches
- Inferential Statistics
Module 6 Psychopathology Study definitions of abnormality and psychological explanations and treatments for depression, OCD and phobias. 4 lessons
- Definitions of Abnormality
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Phobias
Module 7 Research Methods and Approaches Consolidate psychological approaches, issues and debates, research methods and inferential statistics. 3 lessons
- Psychological Approaches: Revision
- More on Approaches
- Issues and Debates in Psychology
Module 8 Gender Examine biological, psychological and cultural explanations of gender development and variation. 4 lessons
- Studying Gender
- The Biological Approach
- Gender Differences and Cultural Variations
- Applying Psychological Approaches to Gender
Module 9 Schizophrenia Study diagnosis, biological and psychological explanations and different approaches to treatment. 4 lessons
- Classification of Schizophrenia
- Biological and Psychological Explanations
- Drug Therapy, CBT and Family Therapy
- Interactionist Approaches
Module 10 Aggression Explore biological, genetic, ethological, evolutionary, social and media explanations of aggressive behaviour. 4 lessons
- Biology and Genetics
- Ethological, Evolutionary and Social Explanations
- Institutional Aggression
- Media Influences on Aggression
Module 11 Revision and Examination Technique Bring together the full course and prepare for the three A-level examination papers. 1 lesson
- Revision and Examination Technique
Practice A-level Examination — Paper 1
Practice A-level Examination — Paper 2
Practice A-level Examination — Paper 3
Follow the current online lesson content
The examination specification changes slightly for candidates taking A-level Psychology from 2027, particularly within the Gender option. Students should follow the current online version of each lesson, where amended or removed material can be identified.
Exams and assessment
How the course is assessed
AQA A-level Psychology is assessed through three equally weighted written papers. Questions include multiple-choice items, short answers, research-method tasks and extended writing.
The examinations assess psychological knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation. Students must also interpret research findings, understand scientific methodology and carry out appropriate statistical calculations.
Introductory Topics in Psychology
Paper 1
2 hours
Exam duration
96 marks
Available marks
33⅓%
Of the qualification
Assesses Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology through multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.
Psychology in Context
Paper 2
2 hours
Exam duration
96 marks
Available marks
33⅓%
Of the qualification
Assesses Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology and Research Methods, including the interpretation and evaluation of psychological investigations.
Issues and Options in Psychology
Paper 3
2 hours
Exam duration
96 marks
Available marks
33⅓%
Of the qualification
Assesses Issues and Debates in Psychology together with the selected options of Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression.
Question styles
Mixed examination format
Papers contain multiple-choice questions, short answers, application tasks and extended writing.
Research methods
Scientific skills assessed
Students must understand research design, ethical issues, data analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
Calculator
Needed for statistics
A calculator is required for statistical calculations and the interpretation of quantitative research data.
Coursework
No NEA component
The qualification is assessed entirely through the three written papers.
Arranging your examinations
Enter for AQA Psychology 7182
Home-educated students enter as private candidates through a suitable examination centre. Before booking, confirm that the centre can enter you for all three AQA A-level Psychology papers.
The course prepares students for the Paper 3 options of Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression.
Support & add-ons
Add extra Psychology support when you need it
Your subscription provides the structured online course materials and suggested answers required for independent study. Assignment marking, tutorials, mock-exam feedback and printed materials can be purchased separately. Current linked add-on prices are shown below.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Submit short answers, application questions, research-method tasks and extended responses for feedback on knowledge, evidence, evaluation and structure.
Assignment marking bundle£98.90
Personal tuition
One-to-one Psychology tutorials
Book a live session to discuss difficult theories, research methods, statistical techniques or the structure of extended examination answers.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Exam preparation
Mock exam marking
Complete full examination-style papers and receive feedback on knowledge, application, evaluation, timing and research-method skills.
Mock examination marking bundle£85.50
Ongoing guidance
Email Tutor Support
Ask brief course-related questions when a psychological theory, study, research method or statistical concept needs further explanation.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Printed materials
Psychology course pack
Add printed, spiral-bound copies of the course materials if you prefer to read, annotate and revise away from the screen.
Printed course materials£50.00
Improve evaluation
Move beyond description
Higher-mark Psychology answers require accurate knowledge alongside application, evidence and evaluation. Tutor feedback can help you distinguish descriptive material from the analytical discussion needed for stronger answers.
Explore your options
See all available Psychology support
Prospective students can compare the available support services. Existing students can purchase Psychology marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the A-level Psychology course
Find answers about starting the course, the topics studied, research methods, examinations, calculators, textbooks and additional tutor support.
Can I start the Psychology course at any time?
Yes. There are no fixed term dates, so you can enrol and begin studying when it suits you. You should plan your timetable around the year in which you intend to sit all three examinations.
How long should I allow for the course?
We recommend allowing approximately 700 hours of study and normally completing the A-level over two years.
Which specification does the course follow?
The course prepares students for AQA A-level Psychology specification 7182.
Which optional topics does the course teach?
The selected Paper 3 options are Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression.
How is A-level Psychology assessed?
The qualification is assessed through three two-hour written papers. Each carries 96 marks and contributes one third of the final qualification.
Does A-level Psychology include coursework?
No. There is no coursework or non-exam assessment. All assessment takes place through the three written papers.
Will I need to study research methods?
Yes. Research methods are a major part of the qualification. You will study experimental design, sampling, ethics, data presentation, interpretation, reliability, validity and statistical testing.
Do I need a calculator?
Yes. You will need a calculator for statistical calculations used in research-method lessons and examination questions.
Is A-level Psychology mainly essay writing?
No. The papers contain multiple-choice questions, short answers, application tasks, research-method questions and extended writing. Longer answers require structured discussion supported by theories and studies.
Can I answer questions using personal experience?
Personal examples may occasionally help illustrate a point, but examination answers must be based primarily on recognised psychological theories, studies and evidence rather than common-sense explanations.
Are there changes for examinations from 2027?
There are some specification changes for candidates taking the written papers from 2027, including changes affecting parts of the Gender option. Students should follow the current online lessons, where revised content is identified.
Do I need the accompanying textbooks?
Yes. The course lessons include reading references to the recommended AQA Psychology Year 1 and Year 2 textbooks.
Is tutor marking included in the subscription?
No. Suggested answers support independent study, but personal tutor marking must be purchased separately for individual assignments or as a marking bundle.
Can I book tutorials for difficult topics?
Yes. One-to-one tutorials can be purchased separately for help with theories, research methods, statistical calculations or examination technique.
Should I study the modules in order?
Yes. Later topics rely on the research methods, terminology and psychological approaches introduced during the earlier modules.
Ready to begin?
Start your online A-level Psychology course
Enrol at any time and begin working towards the AQA A-level Psychology qualification through a structured, flexible home-study course.
- Start studying at any time
- Immediate access to the online course
- Develop psychological knowledge, research skills and examination technique
Start your Psychology course
Return to the enrolment panel to review today’s payment and add the course to your basket.