I'm thinking of doing Psychology A level, should I do GCSE first?

[andlipsticktoo]

I'm 39 and it has always interested me.

Is it the sort of A level that you need to do the GCSE first?
I mean, if I were to choose maths or french I would definitely do GCSE level first, but would I need to with psychology? Would it hinder me not to?

I want to set myself a challenge, but a challenge that I can actually fulfill!

Have no experience but at dc's school psychology is offered at A level but not at GCSE. So no, you do not need to do the GCSE first.

No, don't bother. I did A level and not GCSE.

Good luck!

No I think it would better not to have a GCSE in the subject as you will be repeating the same material.

I think they generally advise that you ideally have a GCSE in Maths, English and a Science subject before doing A level Psychology but I don't think it is compulsory.

I did Psychology A-Level without doing GCSE Psych. I think the topics that are covered are very different between the two levels so you wont be missing anything. I then went on to do my degree in Psychology- it is a great subject.
Good Luck.

As long as you have the basics GCSEs, English and Maths, you should be fine. Check with the college or school first. If not, then check anyway, you may be able to do them simultaneously or do an Access course instead.

Do you have some A levels already? Have you considered skipping A level Psyc and going straight on to doing a Psyc course at university? The Open University perhaps? In my experience, there's not a lot of difference between first year Psyc and A levels. The Open U do courses for those returning to learning after a break. Check it out here.

It might be worth thinking about where you want to study. Being stuck in a classroom with a bunch of immature 16 year olds can be very draining and demoralising. Many Universities, as part of their Widening Participation Programes offer single units of study for people like you. Believe me, it's much nicer to be studying with mature students.

ooh thanks for getting back to me so quickly everyone!

Yes, I have 8 O levels {shows my age} all grade c and above, and 2 A levels {embarassingly low grades though}, so looks like I could go straight for the A level. As it has been so long since I did any sort of study, would i have to do an access course?

I have v low self esteem though, so would not go for degree level. Not yet anyway.

No don't bother - my school teaches GCSE psychology in a year as a top up to the science GCSE's (they finish them in year10).I would go straight for the A level.

Good grief, no, you wouldn't have to do an access course with those qualifications. I'd go straight to the university route if I were you. They are very accommodating about students who have been out of education for some time. Where abouts do you live?

Exeter.
They wouldn't take me with my A level grades.

I'm enrolled on this course with the OU.

I've never done psychology before but thought it would be a good starting point.

Ah, but there is a difference between current A grades and those of a few years ago. The required A level grades are for new students just fininshing their A levels. Mature students have a whole different set of criteria. Check with the admissions team.

Have a look here. Also bear in mind you are not applying to do a full time degree, just one one course. Failing that, there's always the OU.

I had a handful of O levels, no A levels. Did Psych A level, applied to 3 Unis, got 3 offers (2 unconditional), went for the conditional one, got in, never looked back. Best thing I ever did. (And before I did the A level, I'd never written an essay in my life - not even at school; god knows how I got the few O levels I did.)

Thank you you are all so encouraging.

I am going to do the A level first I think, alongside a Counseling Level 2 Course at Exeter College, I can then go on to do a Diploma and maybe degree.

It's been such a long time since I did any essay writing, and now that I am partially sighted (happened v quickly) I'm not even sure what I am capable of really!

Sounds like you have a plan

I would just like to add that should you want to, the OU really do make it very easy to go straight to the degree route. They provide study skills courses as well as loads of support from tutors and the info you need really is spoonfed to you, especially at level 1 where you start off. Don't rule it out - if you have A levels already, no matter how poor you think they are, you would be perfectly capable of doing an OU degree.

I suppose the only thing is that the degree would take years and the A level would be less time - depends why you are going the course I suppose.

(Good choice of subject although I should be writing a psych essay now not passing time on MN!)

It is a given amongst academic circles that mature students almost always outperform school leavers on every level. They are more focussed and take direction better.

There are lots of concessions for disabled students, grants for equipment, extra time allocation in exams etc. Make sure you contact the disability team when you enrol to take advantage of these.

I would add to what Slug just said that from personal experience I don't think I am unusual in finding studying easier as I have got older. Finding the time isn't always easier but the actual thinking bit is. Do not underestimate yourself!!

The wonderful think about psychology is that you will have learnt so much from life experience too that age is a good thing! Have a look at the link Weblette posted to the Level 1 OU course and particularly the reviews, near the bottom of the page. Many people had your concerns about essay writing and managed just fine.

DD is in her first year at Exeter doing Psychology - she did Psychology A level ( not GCSE) but I think a lot on her course didn't.
iirc her offer was AAB, but it could well be different for a mature student

I did it as an evening class, no gcse, and loved it! made some great frinds too - no 16 year olds in sight either!

Aw thanks guys.

Niecie are you doing an OU degree in psych?
How many 'points' do you need for a degree? I see the course Weblette si doing is 10.

No I wouldn't bother doing the GCSE first.

I'm at Exeter University and know a few mature students who did A'levels/access course at Exeter College.

Apparently Exeter college is a great place to study if you have been out of education for a while.

Have you considered the access course at Exeter College? It has all the core content of the psychology A'level and will ensure that you will be studying along side mature students.

Good luck

I actually did the post grad conversion in psychology as I have a first degree in another subject from somewhere else. It was a case of doing enough psychology courses to convert my existing degree into one that was predominantly psychology iyswim. However the courses were the same ones you needed to do to get a psych degree, I just had to do less points and none of the optional subjects.

If I recall correctly you need 360 points to get a degree which sounds a lot but you have years to do it in. Most courses beyond level 1 are 30 or 60 point courses. On the other hand, you don't spend 2 yrs doing the A level first.

I am currently doing an OU MSc in psychology, which believe me, given my generally crap A levels I wouldn't have dreamed possible 15 or 20 yrs ago so it just goes to show what you can do if you go for it!

I can highly recommend the OU and they do, as I say, spoon feed you what you need to learn. They give you almost all the books and a study guide and you just work through it with a timetable set out for you to keep on track. You don't even need access to a library.

However, if depends on what you think your learning and life style might be better suited to. I work well if left to my own devices but some people like a place to go every day.

I am very of you living near Exeter though. My mum's family come from there. If I had had a decent university like on my door step I might have been tempted to go there instead of using the OU!

Sorry, you asked if you should do the GCSE or A level and now we are trying to talk you into a degree.

Do what you are happiest doing but don't bother with the GCSE!

ha ha! It's good to know all the options though thank you!

Will go for A and skip GCSE that's waht I wanted to hear really.