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Individual A-level subject pages

Series covering all main A-level subjects

  • All about A level Psychology – course information

    Why You’ll Love Studying A Level Psychology

    “Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man”.

    – Alexander Pope: An Essay on Man

    Let’s be honest: the human mind is a fascinating place. If you’ve ever wondered why people do what they do, why you sometimes can’t remember where you left your keys, or why your heart races before an exam, then A Level Psychology might just be your niche.

    What Is A Level Psychology All About?

    Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It explores how we think, feel, and act – as well as why. A Level Psychology introduces you to the key theories, research studies, and debates that have shaped our understanding of human behaviour. It’s a subject at the crossroads of science and the humanities, blending rigorous research with deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human.

    You’ll explore everything from memory and attachment to mental health and social influence. Why do people obey authority, even when it goes against their morals? How might your early childhood relationship with your parents influence your adult love relationships? Can we really trust eyewitness testimony in court? These are just a few of the questions you’ll explore.

    What Will You Study?

    The A Level Psychology curriculum is as diverse as the human mind itself. While the exact content can vary slightly depending on the exam board (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, etc.), here are some of the core topics you’re likely to encounter:

    • Social Influence – Understand how people are influenced when they are in a group, from conformity and obedience to resistance and social change.
    • Memory – Explore how memory works, why it sometimes doesn’t, and how reliable our recollections really are.
    • Attachment – Learn about the bonds formed between infants and caregivers, and how these shape future relationships.
    • Psychopathology – Delve into mental health conditions like depression, phobias, and OCD, and examine how they’re diagnosed and treated.
    • Biopsychology – Discover how the brain, nervous system, and hormones influence behaviour.
    • Research Methods – Get hands-on experience of the scientific methods psychologists use to investigate human behaviour, from experiments to case studies.
    • Approaches in Psychology – Compare different schools of thought, from Freud’s Psychoanalysis to the Cognitive and Biological approaches.

    Optional topics might include forensic psychology, schizophrenia, addiction, or gender development — all equally intriguing and relevant to real-life issues.

    What Kind of Work Is Involved?

    A Level Psychology is a mix of scientific investigation and explaining your findings. You’ll need to get used to:

    • Reading and analysing psychological studies
    • Writing structured essays that evaluate theories and research
    • Learning key terminology and applying it accurately
    • Interpreting data, graphs, and statistical tests
    • Designing and evaluating experiments
What Background Do I Need?

You don’t need to have studied Psychology before — the A Level course assumes no prior knowledge. However, a solid grounding in English, Maths, and Science will definitely help. You’ll be writing essays, interpreting data, and understanding biological processes, so confidence in these areas will give you a head start.

Curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas are your best assets.

Where Can It Lead?

Studying A Level Psychology opens up a world of possibilities. It’s a versatile subject that goes well with both science and humanities A Levels, and it’s well regarded by universities and employers alike.

Here are just a few paths it could lead you down:

  • Psychology careers – Clinical, forensic, educational, or occupational psychology
  • Healthcare and medicine – Nursing, psychiatry, counselling, mental health support
  • Education – Teaching, special educational needs
  • Law and criminology – Understanding criminal behaviour, working in rehabilitation
  • Business and marketing – Consumer behaviour, human resources, organisational psychology
  • Media and communications – Analysing audience behaviour, advertising, journalism

Even if you don’t pursue psychology at university, the skills you will develop — critical thinking, research, empathy, communication — are transferable to many careers.

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love It

A Level Psychology isn’t just about textbooks and theories. It’s about understanding yourself and others. It’s about making sense of the world around you. It’s about asking big questions — and learning how to find the answers.

You’ll never look at people the same way again. That friend who always goes along with the group? Classic Asch effect. Your sibling’s messy room? Maybe it’s a sign of a different attachment style. Your own exam stress? A perfect case study in the fight-or-flight response.

So, if you’re ready to explore the inner workings of the human mind, challenge your assumptions, and gain skills that will serve you for life — A Level Psychology is for you.

If you want to get a feel for the application of Psychology, try reading: “Dibs: in Search of Self”, by Virginia M Axline. The Story of one little boy and his journey through childhood up to his mid-teens, and also an insight into psychotherapy – how it works and what it can mean to people on a practical level.

Article written by Tim Naylor Principal of Bath Academy

 

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  • All about A level Sociology – course information

    What’s A level Sociology about?

    Sociology is the study of society – how people interact in groups. A level Sociology examines social behaviour from a variety of perspectives: how it originates and then develops, and the ways people are organised into groups according to distinctions such as class, gender and race. A level Sociology also looks at the institutions and forces which shape and are shaped by groups within a society, such as the media, religion and education.

    A level Sociology focuses on contemporary society, providing an awareness of the importance of social structure and actions in explaining social forces and issues. Some questions A level Sociology covers include:

    • Why do boys underachieve in the education system?
    • Why are black people five time more likely to be stopped and searched?
    • Why are women more religious when religion oppresses them?

    A level Sociology helps you to develop knowledge and understanding of the essential sociological theories and methods (such as Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism) with which sociologists make sense of the diversity of societies, and of the forces which have and will continue to shape social change.

    Sociology will help you to think about society in a new and critical light, questioning the status quo and developing a sophisticated understanding of the real issues that affect the society we live in. It is an excellent subject for showing you how society works and for making you aware of the range of conditions that individuals within society experience. Students often comment that they didn’t realise how varied the human experience can be and how powerfully group identity shapes a person’s future.

    A level Sociology is offered by OCR, WJEC and Edexcel, but the most popular option is offered by the AQA exam board as it provides an interesting range of option topics teachers can choose from. Topics include one from Culture and Identity, Families and Households, Health, Work, Poverty and Welfare,  and one topic from Beliefs in Society,  Global Development, The Media,  Stratification and Differentiation .

    All the exam boards cover core areas of Sociology, which include:

    • Knowledge and understanding of contemporary social issues and changes
    • Understanding and evaluating key sociological theories and perspectives
    • Understanding and evaluating the methods of sociological research
    • Developing students’ interest in the social, political and economic issues that affect society

    What sort of work is involved?

    Through studying A level Sociology you will learn to think critically and independently about society and the diversity which its citizens experience. You will also develop an informed understanding of our rapidly changing world, as well as your place within it.

    Sociology is an essay-based subject, so it involves a lot of reading and writing, strengthening your ability to develop an argument both in class and on paper. The subject requires you to debate issues for which there are several different but well-accepted explanations, and to become critical of different viewpoints. By analysing the strengths and limitations of all perspectives studied, you learn not to take things for granted, or to accept assertions at face value!

    What background do I need?

    GCSE Sociology is not required to study the subject at A level. However, it is desirable to have a GCSE in a written subject, such as English, History or Religious Studies, as this would help prepare you for the essay writing on the course. You need to appreciate the importance of analysis and  balance in tackling conflicting points of view.

    You should be interested in reading the news on a daily basis to be able to relate the topics learnt in class to the outside world.

    Above all you need an outward-looking perspective on the world, and you should be prepared to ‘walk in another person’s shoes’.

    Where can it lead?

    Sociology provides an excellent starting point for any social science degree from Economics, Psychology, and Politics to Criminology and Philosophy. You do not need to have an A level in Sociology to take Sociology at university, though it helps.

    Sociology A level complements a wide range of other A level subjects, though don’t forget that the top universities expect you to be taking a ‘challenging’ combination of A levels, which means that you might be at a disadvantage if you do not include at least one ‘challenging’ subject in your programme, or if you also take A levels with a similar outlook (so perhaps best not to combine Sociology with Psychology and Politics A levels unless that’s really essential to you).

    However, many students choose degrees which combine Sociology with Psychology as the two subjects complement one another. While Sociology studies the influences society has upon individual behaviour, Psychology examines the impact of the individual mind.

    Another popular combined degree is the study of Sociology with Criminology. While Sociology covers the study of crime, Criminology goes into greater depth thereby making the two subjects an ideal combination.

    A degree in Sociology can lead to many career options including teaching, advertising, research, marketing and business. Sociology is an academic subject teaching you transferable skills so really it’s up to you which area of work you choose to go into afterwards.

     One year course?

    A level Sociology is possible to study in one year, but requires you to work really hard as there is much  content to cover in class and on your own, and a lot to revise at the end of the course. Because the writing of analytical essays is so important, it helps if you already have that skill: if you can’t develop it quickly you will struggle.

     Assessment

    A level Sociology is a linear qualification, which means exams take place at the end of two years. It is assessed through examinations in which consist mostly of essay-based questions, plus several structured questions.

    The three A level exams each count for a third of the final mark:

    • Paper 1: a two-hour exam on Education in Society, with associated sociological theory and methods
    • Paper 2: a two-hour exam on two option topics (see earlier)
    • Paper 3: a two-hour exam on Crime and Deviance, with associated sociological theory and methods

     

    This article was written by Sakine Koc, Director of Studies at MPW College London

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    • All about A level Business – course information

      What’s A level Business about?

      A-Level Business is a course that introduces students to the principles, concepts, and practices of running and managing a business. A popular and fascinating A level it covers a wide range of topics related to business operations, strategy, decision-making, and external influences on businesses.

      Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2, where they develop knowledge of core business concepts and learn to apply them to specific business contexts. By studying aspects of marketing, finance, operations, and human resources, students develop a broad understanding of how businesses actually work.

      The breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding are then developed in Themes 3 and 4. Here, students are required to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues. They are taught how to measure corporate performance and analyse changing external influences on businesses, including technology, competition, the economy, and globalization. Comparing how different businesses manage change is key.

      Analysis is conducted through real-life business case studies, such as Apple, Uber, and Spotify, necessitating calculations and comparisons of business performance. Students may be required to analyse, for example, the impact of Trump’s tariffs on German motor manufacturers’ strategy or study the threat of new technology on traditional working practices from companies such as DeepSeek.

      Students are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical, and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives, and to challenge assumptions.

      What background knowledge is needed?

      No previous knowledge of business is required. Students should have at least a 5/4 grade in GCSE-level Maths, as this will make the financial and numerical elements more accessible. Given that the assessment includes some essay-style questions, students will need at least a Level 5 in English Language. Above all else, students should be interested in what current businesses are doing to tackle the ever-changing threats and opportunities facing industries today.

      It is possible to take the subject in a year, but this best suits students with a mature approach who are prepared to read around the subject to better absorb and apply business concepts quickly and effectively.

      How is it assessed?

      The two most popular exam boards are Pearson and AQA. The core content of Business is similar across the main exam boards. They all assess the same core skills, helping students acquire a range of relevant business skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, challenging assumptions, and critical analysis.

      Pearson assesses different parts of the specification in different exam papers, allowing for more focused revision. It also enables students to study a specific industry in more detail. This industry is set by the exam board, ensuring that students are studying areas of business that are both topical and in a state of flux. Questions range from short answers and calculations through data response to full essays.

      AQA covers similar material but examines all of the content across all of the papers and does not have a single industry-focused exam paper. Questions range from multiple-choice and calculations through data response to full essays.

      Where can it lead?

      A-Level Business is a well-regarded and practical option. Students can use it to apply to a wide range of degree courses, including business-related disciplines such as marketing or finance, as well as a range of humanities and social sciences. It is often seen as a strong third or fourth A-Level, allowing students to develop both breadth and depth while injecting real-world knowledge into their studies.

      Former Business students at our college have gone on to work in a huge range of disciplines, including finance, accounting, and media. Excitingly a number of students have embraced the concept of entrepreneurship and have gone on to set up their own successful businesses in industries ranging from advertising and PR to commercial catering and events.

       

      Ann Freeman
      Head of Economics and Business
      Collingham College

       

      Last updated: Jan 16, 2023

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      • All about A level Law – course information

        What’s A level Law about?

        Law plays a vital and wide-ranging role in society.  Its functions include protecting the public, regulating relationships, the construction of agreements and the resolution of disputes.

        An aspect of A level Law students particularly enjoy is the ‘case study’ approach, in which legal principles are applied to real-life cases.  For example,  Fagan v Metropolitan Police Commissioner [1969], where a police officer’s foot was accidentally driven over and parked upon, or  the negligence case of Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] involving the infamous snail in the ginger beer.  It is the combination of human stories raising real and relevant issues that makes A level Law an engaging, yet challenging subject to study.

        The AQA is a popular exam board for the study of A level Law, but other boards provide a similar specification.  AQA offers an introduction to the:

        • Nature of Law: This examines the relationship of law with society, morality and justice, and explores fundamental concepts such as the ‘Rule of Law’ and ‘Parliamentary Sovereignty’;
        • English Legal System: This unit covers how law is made both centrally within parliament, and by decisions made in the appeal courts. You learn about key legal institutions, including the civil and criminal court hierarchy, and the various processes and personnel involved in the practice of law;
        •  Criminal Law: This considers both Fatal (Murder, Voluntary and Involuntary manslaughter) and Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Assault, Battery, Actual Bodily Harm, Grievous Bodily Harm) as well, as offences against property. Criminal legal theory is also studied to provide context;
        • Tort Law: This explores various torts (‘wrongs’) including Negligence and Private Nuisance, and explores concepts such as ‘Liability’ and deals with the ‘Remedies’  available to the courts;
        • Option choice: You study either Human Rights or Contract Law. Human Rights considers the historical development of human rights and the legal theory underlying the current approach. Contract Law deals with the essential components of contract; offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations.

        What sort of work is involved?

        A level Law is a thinking, writing, debating and learning subject. You need to be able to understand precision use of language, and to write clearly, and you will learn how to argue, on paper and in class, to  develop and defend your views on how legal principles apply to specific situations. And yes, you do need a reasonable memory for the names and events involved in key cases

        What background do I need?

        You don’t need any prior knowledge of Law in order to start the A level Law course, but you do need a solid complement of GCSEs.

        If you have mostly 4/5s at GCSE, you may well find A level Law very tough.  Most institutions insist on a 7 in English GCSE. The requirement to write essays using specific legal terminology to explain and evaluate the current law in terms of concepts such as fairness, morality and justice; or where you need to use logical reasoning to assess liability means that you need a good grasp of the English language.

        Most important, though, is that you have a genuine interest in the Law; its creation, application and institutions.  This will lead to success and enjoyment.

        Where can it lead?

        As well as being innately interesting, A level Law provides a taster for Law at university (though it is not required), and gives students a head start compared to those who have never studied Law before .

        Research carried out by AQA shows that university Law faculties welcome applications from students who have taken A level Law, provided that their A level subject combination meets ‘breadth’ and ‘skills’ requirements .

        A level Law is also useful for those with no intention of reading Law at university.  It is stimulating, promotes critical thinking, and deals with current issues such as ‘right to die’, or the legal significance of Brexit. It encompasses skills and knowledge that are relevant and prized in many vocational areas.

        One year course?

        It is possible but very difficult to do well in one year. It’s not so much the amount you need to learn in A level Law, but how well you can develop the sophisticated reasoning and writing skills in that time.

        Assessment

        A level Law is assessed at the end of the course. AQA sets three exams, each consisting of a number of multiple choice questions, short and extended essay questions, and problem scenarios to which you are required to apply the law in order to assess liability.

        Paper 1 covers Criminal Law, Paper 2 covers Tort Law, and Paper 3 examines the option topics; Contract or Human Rights. Assessment of the Nature of the Law and English Legal Systems components is spread out across the three papers and represents 25% of the total marks.

         

        This article was written by Jennifer Hall of Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies

        Last updated: Aug 9, 2022

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        • All about A level Art – course information

          Why Choose A Level Fine Art?

          A Level Fine Art is an exciting, immersive course designed to push your creative boundaries and develop your artistic voice. Whether you dream of becoming a professional artist, designer, or architect or simply love making art this course provides a dynamic, hands-on experience where you’ll explore new techniques, refine your skills, and build a unique portfolio of work.

          What Will You Learn?

          Fine Art at A Level is about much more than just drawing and painting. You’ll experiment with a wide range of techniques, from printmaking and mixed media to digital art and sculpture. Throughout the course, you’ll gain a strong understanding of historical and contemporary art movements, learning how artists throughout time have shaped creative practice.

          One of the most exciting aspects of A Level Fine Art is the freedom to develop a personal body of work that reflects your own creative journey. Guided by an expert teacher, you’ll explore themes and ideas that truly inspire you, evolving your skills and artistic direction along the way.

          How Is the Course Structured?

          You’ll complete two major components that will shape your final grade:

          Personal Investigation (60% of your grade) – This is your chance to develop a highly personal project, experimenting with different media and techniques, refining your ideas, and creating final outcomes. Alongside your practical work, you’ll produce an illustrated 1,000-word essay that explores your influences and artistic process.

          Externally Set Assignment (40% of your grade) – In your final year, the exam board provides a set of exciting themes for you to choose from. Over three months, you’ll develop ideas and experiment with materials before showcasing your creativity in a final 15-hour practical exam.

          Beyond the Classroom

          Studying Fine Art isn’t just about making work in the studio, you’ll also investigate the work of artists and broaden your critical analysis skills to deepen your understanding of visual culture. This broader context will enrich your own creative approach and help you develop a professional portfolio.

          Who Is This Course For?

          If you love being creative, enjoy hands-on learning, and are eager to develop your own artistic style, A Level Fine Art is for you! Most students have studied GCSE Art (Grade 6 or above), but if you’re coming from a different background, all art departments welcome students with a strong portfolio of work.

          Where Can Fine Art Take You?

          A Level Fine Art opens doors to a wide range of creative careers. Many students go on to study Art & Design Foundation courses or specialist degrees in areas like Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, Illustration, Animation, and Architecture. The creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors worldwide, offering opportunities in everything from film and game design to set production and branding.

          Can I Study It in One Year?

          While Fine Art is traditionally a two-year course (to allow time for skill development and experimentation), students with significant prior experience may be able to complete it in one year.

          If you’re ready to take your creativity to the next level and build a portfolio that showcases your artistic potential, A Level Fine Art is the perfect choice!

          Article written by Clare McEwan, teacher of Fine Art, at MPW Cambridge

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