The BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology is designed for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to HE and/or employment, possibly in psychology. What you will study Unit 1 – Psychological Approaches and Applications (taught in Year 1) There are many ways to explain or understand human behaviour in order to treat it. This unit investigates how four of the main approaches in psychology help us do this from their different perspectives: Cognitive, Social, Learning and Biological. Key concepts and relevant key studies will also be discussed and evaluated. The knowledge gained from each approach will be used to explain aggression in society, how psychology is used to explain and influence consumer behaviour, and how it can explain gender. Unit 2 – Conducting Psychological Research (taught in Year 1) At heart, we are all armchair psychologists, but psychological research is not based on opinion and follows a rigorous scientific process. This unit identifies, analyses and applies the importance of this process. From its role in improving practice and informing policy, to ethical considerations involved in psychological research, and understanding the entire process from concept to completion. This unit culminates with students planning, preparing and completing their own pilot study. Unit 3 – Health Psychology (taught in Year 2) Health psychologists are interested in how psychological and physiological factors affect health and ill health. This unit includes approaches, theories and studies that explore the reasons why individuals engage in specific behaviours such as addiction and why individuals may experience high levels of stress and the impact this has on health. In addition, the unit explores how health psychologists can help improve health behaviours using psychological theories of persuasion and learn about specific physiological and behavioural treatments. Unit 4 – Criminal and Forensic Psychology (taught in year 2) Are criminals born or made? This unit looks at a number of different explanations for criminal behaviour, linked to the approaches from unit 1, and analyse the best way to treat criminal behaviour; punishment or modification? Students will also learn about different methods of creating an offender profile and will create their own as part of the final assignment. The BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology is designed for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to HE and/or employment, possibly in psychology. Those learners with an interest in psychology and will benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including: • reading technical texts • effective writing • analytical skills • creative development • preparation for assessment methods used in a degree.
32 – 35 Points
Unit 1 – Psychological Approaches and Applications External assessment: 1.5 hour written examination Unit 2 – Conducting Psychological Research Internal assessment – Written assignment comprising of three reports Unit 3 – Health Psychology External assessment: 2 hour written examination Unit 4 – Criminal and Forensic Psychology Internal assessment – Written assignment comprising of three reports The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to admission requirements to many relevant applied psychology courses. Many of the learners on the programme have progressed to university.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Warwickshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Mixed |
| Address | Coventry Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 3EX |
The BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology is designed for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to HE and/or employment, possibly in psychology. What you will study Unit 1 – Psychological Approaches and Applications (taught in Year 1) There are many ways to explain or understand human behaviour in order to treat it. This unit investigates how four of the main approaches in psychology help us do this from their different perspectives: Cognitive, Social, Learning and Biological. Key concepts and relevant key studies will also be discussed and evaluated. The knowledge gained from each approach will be used to explain aggression in society, how psychology is used to explain and influence consumer behaviour, and how it can explain gender. Unit 2 – Conducting Psychological Research (taught in Year 1) At heart, we are all armchair psychologists, but psychological research is not based on opinion and follows a rigorous scientific process. This unit identifies, analyses and applies the importance of this process. From its role in improving practice and informing policy, to ethical considerations involved in psychological research, and understanding the entire process from concept to completion. This unit culminates with students planning, preparing and completing their own pilot study. Unit 3 – Health Psychology (taught in Year 2) Health psychologists are interested in how psychological and physiological factors affect health and ill health. This unit includes approaches, theories and studies that explore the reasons why individuals engage in specific behaviours such as addiction and why individuals may experience high levels of stress and the impact this has on health. In addition, the unit explores how health psychologists can help improve health behaviours using psychological theories of persuasion and learn about specific physiological and behavioural treatments. Unit 4 – Criminal and Forensic Psychology (taught in year 2) Are criminals born or made? This unit looks at a number of different explanations for criminal behaviour, linked to the approaches from unit 1, and analyse the best way to treat criminal behaviour; punishment or modification? Students will also learn about different methods of creating an offender profile and will create their own as part of the final assignment. The BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology is designed for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to HE and/or employment, possibly in psychology. Those learners with an interest in psychology and will benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including: • reading technical texts • effective writing • analytical skills • creative development • preparation for assessment methods used in a degree.
32 – 35 Points
Unit 1 – Psychological Approaches and Applications External assessment: 1.5 hour written examination Unit 2 – Conducting Psychological Research Internal assessment – Written assignment comprising of three reports Unit 3 – Health Psychology External assessment: 2 hour written examination Unit 4 – Criminal and Forensic Psychology Internal assessment – Written assignment comprising of three reports The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to admission requirements to many relevant applied psychology courses. Many of the learners on the programme have progressed to university.
