Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology

• Exam board: Edexcel 

• Exam board subject website 

• Link to past papers 

• The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology is structured into nine topic areas. Topics 1–4 are compulsory and focus on the areas that have laid the foundations of modern psychological understanding. Topics 5–8 focus on how our understanding of psychology is applied today. Topic 5 is compulsory. One topic from 6, 7 or 8 must be studied. Netherthorpe studies Criminal Psychology (topic 6).  Finally, Topic 9 summarises the psychological skills and research methods covered in the qualification. 

  This qualification consists of three externally examined papers. 

  Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year. 

   

  Paper 1: Foundations in Psychology  

  ● Externally assessed       35% of the total qualification 

  Overview of content 

  ● Topic 1: Social psychology 

  ● Topic 2: Cognitive psychology 

  ● Topic 3: Biological psychology 

  ● Topic 4: Learning theories 

   

  Paper 2: Applications of Psychology  

  ● Externally assessed        35% of the total qualification 

  Overview of content 

  Mandatory content 

  ● Topic 5: Clinical psychology 

  Optional topics (students must study one) 

  ● Topic 6: Criminological psychology 

  ● Topic 7: Child psychology 

  ● Topic 8: Health psychology 

   

  Paper 3: Psychological skills  

  ● Externally assessed    30% of the total qualification 

  Overview of content 

  Topic 9: Psychological skills: 

  ● Methods 

  ● Synoptic review of studies 

  ● Issues and debates.