Update: AS and A-level Psychology specification changes from September 2025 | News | AQA 

In October 2024, we were delighted to announce the changes we have made to the subject content of our AS and A-level Psychology specification (7181, 7182) ready for first teach in September 2025.

The changes we have made will improve the clarity of the specification, as well as reducing some of the specification content. We have also updated the language used to be more reflective of society.

The changes will affect first AS exams in summer 2026 and A-level exams in summer 2027.

Here’s a full list of the changes:

• Summary of changes AS Psychology (7181)
• Summary of changes A-level Psychology (7182)

As an update, we have the following new resources available this summer term, so you can be confident in teaching the updated specification ready from September 2025.

Getting familiar with the updated Gender topic – new eLearning and Teacher guide

To support your teaching and strengthen your confidence and understanding of the updated Gender topic, book on to our free eLearning course, which is available on-demand. We’ll walk you through the updated specification content and the changes to the language used in the topic content.

We have also created a new Teaching Guide: Gender for A-level Psychology Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology. The guide can be found in Teaching resources on our website.

Curriculum Connects

In case you missed the Curriculum Connect sessions in the autumn and spring terms, we are offering a repeat session this summer. You can register for this free session now on our website:

• Curriculum Connect: updates to the AS and A-level Psychology spec Q&A clinic – Monday 16 June 2025 4pm-5pm

We invite you to come along if you want to hear more about the changes, or simply a recap. Our Subject Lead, Rosie McGinley, will answer any questions you might have about the updated specification content.

Coming soon - summer term 2025

Sample assessment materials

The original sample assessment materials (SAMs) are available in assessment resources on our website as a relevant guide to our assessment approach. After summer 2025, we will label these as no longer suitable for use as practice papers for the updated specification due to the content changes.

Because some of the subject content has changed, we are now in the process of updating one of the sets of SAMs to reflect the updated specification and these will be available by end of June 2025 on our website.

The materials on Exampro are also being updated to reflect this change.

Scheme of work

Please also keep an eye out for our updated Scheme of work (SOW) to be available on our website shortly and ready for first teach.

Updated specification

The updated AS and A-level specifications will be available on our website by end of June 2025. In the meantime, our summary of changes for AS and A-level has all the important information you need.

Stay in touch

We would like to stay in touch, so please make sure you update your email preferences on our website. If you have any questions you can get in touch with us by email at psychology@aqa.org.uk or call customer support on 01483 477 822. We’re here, ready to help.