International AS and A-level Psychology (9685)

A-level Psychology

An accessible, topic-based approach which provides a stimulating, effective introduction to Psychology.

Teachers will find this specification an ideal vehicle to make International AS and A-level Psychology enjoyable and provide the right level of challenge. Non-specialist teachers will appreciate the clear content which is straightforward to teach and which develops skills valued by universities and employers alike, such as critical analysis, independent thinking and scientific research.

Students will have the opportunity to explore interesting psychology topics, considering both psychological theory and practical application.

  • Based on the UK market-leading AQA A-level taken by 80% of Psychology students in England.
  • Topics are selected for their engaging content and universal relevance to human experience in a global context, for example, the psychology of sleep and the psychology of the workplace.
  • A focus on data handling and analysis at A2 helps students develop transferable scientific working skills.

International AS and A-level Psychology (9685)

View the switching guide to see the differences between your old International AS/A-level Psychology specification and the OxfordAQA specification (version updated November 2022).

OxfordAQA International AS/A-level Psychology covers the following topics:

Introductory Topics in Psychology
  • Memory
  • Social psychology
  • Psychopathology
Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1
  • Biopsychology
  • Cognitive development
  • Research methods 1: Methods, Scientific processes, Data handling and analysis
Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2
  • Psychology of sleep
  • Schizophrenia
  • Research methods 2: Methods, Scientific processes, Data handling and analysis
Approaches and Application
  • Scientific approaches in psychology
  • Issues and debates in psychology
  • Applied psychology: work and the individual

OxfordAQA provides all the resources and advice you need to teach the International AS and A-level Psychology specification effectively.

We have too many International AS and A-level Psychology resources to list here, so please visit our resources for teachers area to see them all, including:

  • Schemes of work to allow you to plan how to deliver the specification in a way that will best suit you and your students
  • Teaching guidance to outline clearly the scope of teaching and learning
  • Topic tests and mock exam analysers to allow you to track your students’ progress throughout the teaching year

This is a modular qualification, with four papers over the AS and A-level teaching period.

AS Paper 1 – Introductory Topics in Psychology:

  • Section A – Memory
  • Section B – Social psychology
  • Section C – Psychopathology
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 90 marks
  • 50% of AS-level, 20% of A-level

AS Paper 2 – Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1:

  • Section A – Biopsychology
  • Section B – Cognitive development
  • Section C – Research methods 1
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 90 marks
  • 50% of AS-level, 20% of A-level

A-level Paper 1 – Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2:

  • Section A – Psychology of sleep
  • Section B – Schizophrenia
  • Section C – Research methods 2
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 90 marks
  • 30% of A-level

A-level Paper 2 – Approaches and Application:

  • Section A – Approaches in psychology
  • Section B – Issues and debates in psychology
  • Section C – Applied psychology: work and the individual
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 90 marks
  • 30% of A-level

Re-sits 

  • Candidates may re-sit a unit any number of times.
  • The best result for each unit will count towards the final qualification.
  • Candidates who wish to repeat a qualification may do so by re-sitting one or more units.

Take a look at:

You must be an approved OxfordAQA centre to enter students for our exams. Make sure you become an OxfordAQA centre before you start teaching a course.

Questions about this qualification?

Questions about this qualification?

Let us know your information below, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

*Mandatory field.

Course specification
Download here
(PDF, 716KB)