These pupils demonstrate an impressive breadth of skills, from designing and evaluating research using scientific methods to critically analysing classic studies, such as those by Milgram and Bandura. Their learning spans across complex but meaningful topics such as clinical psychology, attachment, forensics and biopsychology. This requires them to interpret data, apply theories to the real world and construct essays. The well-rounded nature of the course has prepared them well to excel in their degree but also to thrive in a world where understanding of human behaviour is more important than ever.

We asked two of our successful psychologists to reflect on their inspiration and experience on the course.

Michael – University of Cambridge A*A*A

What inspired you to study psychology at university?
I was always fascinated by human behaviour, and studying Psychology at A Level reinforced my original interest. Learning about how biology, our environment and cognition interact together to produce complex behaviours and disorders is something that is incredibly exciting to me, as it provides a more nuanced understanding of how our minds work beyond a single variable.

What do you find the most interesting on the course and why?
The topic that I found most interesting on our course was 'Attachment'. So much can be explained by the levels of reciprocity and quality of attachment we experienced as children, which in turn informs how we interact with others throughout life. Moreover, it isn't a deterministic explanation of behaviour - our earliest patterns can still be modified with each new experience, which has always been incredibly interesting to me!

Henry – University of Durham AAA

What inspired you to study psychology at university?
I was inspired by our limited understanding of behaviour. We are aware of many contributing factors with their intricate relationships and sometimes reciprocal effects but lack complete understanding. My fascination started when adopting a deterministic lens, finding causation from the relative contributions of nature and nurture, I wanted to explore the relationship between these factors and acquire a greater understanding. In addition, human behaviour, specifically with regard to criminal offences, is consistently gaining traction whilst becoming ever more prevalent. When linking brain abnormalities and genetic pre-dispositions to criminal behaviour, we provide greater understanding whilst simultaneously creating more effective and appropriate rehabilitation. Overall, a psychology degree will enable me to pursue my career pathway of becoming a lawyer whilst fulfilling my curiosity regarding behaviour.

What do you find the most interesting on the course and why?
The issues and debates surrounding psychology are particularly interesting, it looks at psychology as a whole compared to segments such as forensic psychology. The most notable examples are Determinism vs Free will, Nature vs Nurture and Reductionism vs Holism. Reductionism vs Holism is particularly interesting, as it examines the trade-off between causation and higher-level explanations. Whereby the isolation of variables accounts for behaviour displayed. Yet this subsequently results in a fundamental explanation, ignorant to the multivariable and holistic nature which encapsulates human complexity to a greater extent. My personal favourite segment of psychology is schizophrenia, looking in depth at a wide variety of biological and environmental explanations. In addition, how these explanations have resulted in the development of treatments. One example is the production of antipsychotics whereby using the biological explanation (hyperdopaminergia and hypodopaminergia) has resulted in mitigation of positive symptoms attributed to schizophrenia.

Congratulations to the next generation of psychologists, we look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the field!