International AS and A-level Psychology (9685)

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.

Download the specification
Read our switching guide
View our t raining courses to help you deliver OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Psychology
Approved textbooks and resources published by Oxford University Press

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:

The OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Psychology switching guide
Example specimen exam paper and mark scheme

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.

View teaching resources