Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Psychology (YPS01)
Study psychological approaches, applications and research skills, including the specification changes assessed from January 2026.
Specification Issue 6, November 2024; changes first assessed January 2026
Course structure and assessment routes
- IAS Psychology XPS01: Units 1 and 2. IAL Psychology YPS01: all four units, in stages or together.
- IAL students study topics A–E, H–I and either F (Criminological) or G (Health): eight topics, not all nine.
Main syllabus content
- Social and cognitive psychology
- Biological psychology, learning theories and development
- Developmental psychology plus criminological or health psychology
- Clinical psychology and psychological skills
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
YPS01 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
WPS01/01
Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 64
- Weighting
- 40% IAS / 20% IAL
WPS02/01
Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 96
- Weighting
- 60% IAS / 30% IAL
WPS03/01
Unit 3: Applications of Psychology
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 64
- Weighting
- 20% IAL
WPS04/01
Unit 4: Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 96
- Weighting
- 30% IAL
Key assessment information
- All units are externally assessed. Calculators are permitted; formulae and statistical tables are supplied. Unit 3 contains a topic choice; the other units’ sections are compulsory.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official YPS01 syllabus/specification (PDF). Specification Issue 6, November 2024; changes first assessed January 2026.
Source PDF pages: 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.