A Level Religious Studies

Religious Studies

Gain a deeper understanding of religion, philosophy and ethics with this enlightening course. By studying the Philosophy of Religion you will open up fascinating topics, including arguments for and against the existence of God, free will and determinism, and the problem of evil. You will consider social and historial developments in religious thought in areas such as wealth and equality. You will also tackle ethical debates, developing your views on issues such as virtue and self-interest, medical ethics, war, sexual ethics and animal experimentation.

Why St Mary's

You will learn in our dedicated teaching space, with access to a library of key texts, curated to support the themes covered in A Level.

Our enriched learning opportunities can include:

  • Essay competitions
  • Connections with local faith communities
  • Links with the various inter-faith programmes associated with the University of Cambridge

  • One-day Ethics and Philosophy conferences - recent speakers include Dr Peter Vardy, author and former Vice-Principal of Heythrop College

Enabling your transition from GCSE

If you have studied Religious Studies GCSE, there is some overlap with the A Level syllabus, particularly the consideration of contemporary moral issues at GCSE and the study of applied ethics at A Level. However the A Level course focuses on philosophical approaches, as opposed to different religions.

Throughout your course, you can arrange for additional teaching support on all aspects of the course, from checking answers and talking through topics, to help with revision and exam preparation.

Course overview

A Level content

Option A: A Study of Christianity

  • Religious figures and sacred texts – Jesus’ birth and resurrection, the bible as a source of wisdom and authority, Jesus as Messiah, Jesus as a social revolutionary
  • Religious concepts and religious life – the nature of God, trinity, atonement, faith and works, community of believers, key moral principles
  • Significant social and historical developments in religious thought – attitudes to wealth, migration and Christianity in the UK, equality and discrimination, challenges from pluralism and secularism and diversity within traditions
  • Religious practices that shape religious identity – baptism, Eucharist, festivals, unification, religious experience, responses to poverty and injustice

Component 2: Philosophy of religion

  • Arguments for the existence of God
  • Challenges to religious belief – Problems of evil and suffering
  • Challenges to religious belief – Religious belief as a product of the human mind
  • Religious experience (mysticism and miracles)
  • Religious language
  • Works of scholars
  • Influences of developments in religious belief

Component 3: Religion and ethics

  • Ethical thought – Divine Command Theory, Virtue Theory, Egoism, Meta-Ethics
  • Deontological Ethics – Natural Law and Proportionalism
  • Application of Natural Law and Proportionalism to abortion, voluntary euthanasia, immigration, capital punishment
  • Teleological Ethics – Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism
  • Application of Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism to homosexual relationships, animal experimentation and nuclear deterrence
  • Determinism and Free Will

Assessment

A Level assessment

Option A: A Study of Christianity

Written examination: 2 hours (33.3% of qualification)

  • One structured question selected from a choice of two
  • One structured question selected from a choice of three
  • All questions consist of two sections – knowledge/understanding and evaluation

Component 2: Philosophy of religion

Written examination: 2 hours (33.3% of qualification)

  • One structured question selected from a choice of two
  • One structured question selected from a choice of three
  • All questions consist of two sections – knowledge/understanding and evaluation

Component 3: Religion and ethics

Written examination: 2 hours (33.3% of qualification)

  • One structured question selected from a choice of two
  • One structured question selected from a choice of three
  • All questions consist of two sections – knowledge/understanding and evaluation

 

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At a glance
  • Syllabus: Eduqas
  • 3 written papers (33.3% each of total A Level mark)
  • Small class sizes

Entry requirements

GCSE grades (or equivalent)

  • Subject 1: English Language: 6+ (CEFR B2.2)
You will enjoy this course if you...
  • Want to build your independent research skills
  • Like analysing and evaluating information
  • Can clearly communicate your ideas
  • Like debating issues and building evidenced arguments

What our teachers say...

“We were drawn to the subject because it is diverse and interdisciplinary. Leaving aside the broad range of philosophy, practice and belief that can be part of the discipline, it touches textual criticism, history, art, psychology, literature, epistemology, sociology, languages, cosmology, politics and more!”

“To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.” Pope Francis

Understanding religion and different cultural and religious perspectives is essential to understanding politics, society, conflict, history and the experiences of our neighbours and those we meet.

If we want to change the world, then religious and philosophical perspectives can offer us a unique perspective on some of the challenges in our global community, such as issues of law, morality, social justice and human rights, as well as questions of personhood, vocation, meaning and value which arise in assessing our own individual existence. 

This course develops core skills such as analysing controversial issues, essay writing and developing well-evidenced arguments – all great preparation for higher level study and employment. A qualification in religious studies also demonstrates you have an informed world view and an ability to respect and understand others.

Past St Mary's students have gone on to study a wide range of related university courses, including theology, history of art, English, history, business, medicine, archaeology, philosophy and psychology.

Religious studies opens up a diverse range of career paths, in fields such as: counselling, advice work, charitable organisations, archiving, law, community development, policing, youth work, education or social work.

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