A-Level · Edexcel · Psychology

Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Psychology

Build psychological knowledge, research skills and evidence-based evaluation across the Edexcel IAS and IA2 stages.

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Course at a glance

Edexcel IAL Psychology at a glance

Edexcel International Psychology is a four-unit modular qualification combining social, cognitive, biological, developmental, clinical and research skills.

Issue 6, November 2024
Current syllabus
4
syllabus groups
9
mapped topics
Issue 6
First assessment January 2026
4 units
WPS01–WPS04, all externally assessed

SourcePearson Edexcel · Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Psychology specificationWPS01–WPS04 · Issue 6, November 2024·Past papersGrade boundaries

A-Level Edexcel Psychology syllabus

Browse the complete Psychology syllabus from the published knowledge tree.

Assessment

Edexcel IAL Psychology assessment structure

IAS is Units 1–2. The full IAL is Units 1–4; Units 3–4 include IA2 synoptic assessment.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
WPS01 Unit 1 Social and cognitive psychology64 marksThree sections: Social Psychology (26), Cognitive Psychology (26), and one 12-mark extended response on either area.1 hour 30 minutes40% of IAS; 20% of IAL
WPS02 Unit 2 Biological psychology, learning theories and development96 marksBiological Psychology (34), Learning Theories and Development (34), plus 12-mark and 16-mark extended responses.2 hours60% of IAS; 30% of IAL
WPS03 Unit 3 Applications of psychology64 marksDevelopmental Psychology (32) plus one choice of Criminological or Health Psychology (32), with short-answer and extended responses.1 hour 30 minutes40% of IA2; 20% of IAL
WPS04 Unit 4 Clinical psychology and psychological skills96 marksClinical Psychology sections plus Psychological Skills sections, including 20-mark synoptic assessment.2 hours60% of IA2; 30% of IAL

SourcePearson Edexcel · Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Psychology specificationWPS01–WPS04 · Issue 6, November 2024

Edexcel IAL Psychology questions

It covers social and cognitive psychology, biological psychology, learning theories and development, applications, clinical psychology and psychological skills.

EduNinja uses AS for IAS Units 1–2 and A2 for IA2 Units 3–4. Completing both stages completes the four-unit International A Level route.

Yes. Research methods, practical work, quantitative and statistical skills, evaluation and application are integrated across the specification and assessments.

Start with a focused syllabus topic, practise the matching question types, compare your response with mark-scheme reasoning, then use Concept and Mastery to revisit weak areas.

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