Pre-Tertiary Subject Choice as Predictors of Undergraduate Attainment and Academic Preparedness in Psychology

British Psychological Society, Division for Teachers & Researchers in Psychology. St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR, UK. Tel: +44-1162-529551; Fax: +44-1162-271314; e-mail: directmail@bps.org.uk; Web site: http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/journals/journals

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Foreign Countries; Course Selection (Students); Predictor Variables; Educational Attainment; Readiness; Psychology; College Freshmen; Secondary Education; Prior Learning

0965-948X

In the UK, psychology degrees are designed to equip students with skills such as critical thinking, research methods, and analytical debate. Many of the key skills and subject-specific content that is taught in the first year of a psychology programme is also introduced in A-level and AS-level study of psychology. Therefore, one would expect psychology A-level graduates to be both personally and academically more prepared for the unique challenges of their psychology degree, compared to students who had not studied A-level psychology. Here, we report findings from two mixed-methods studies which suggest that generally, mathematical-based A-level subjects, but not psychology A-level, more effectively prepare students for some of the academic skills required to succeed on a psychology degree. However, studying psychology A-level prepares students well for subject-specific content, which is highly valued in first-year students. We discuss these findings through a lens of constructive alignment, academic preparedness, and successful transitions.

As Provided

2021

EJ1304624