RELIGIOUS STUDIES
What does the course involve?
To enjoy A level Religious Studies you must have an enquiring mind and a desire to examine some of
the most important questions which face humankind. You do not need to have a personal religious
belief, although you must have an open understanding and respect for those who do. The course is not
a training course for religious leaders but a course which will expand your outlook on the world.
For those of you who have studied at GCSE, the A level will re-examine some familiar ground but at a
higher level of understanding and requiring a greater response. You will need to be able to read some
quite challenging texts, take notes, discuss and examine a range of different issues and write a good
examination essay. This all takes time, patience and hard work. Are you up for the challenge?
The Religious Studies Course covers Edexcel 6RS01, 6RS02, 6RS03 and 6RS04
AS
Unit 1: Foundations - Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
A2
Unit 3: Developments - a development of two areas to be chosen at the end of Year 1
Unit 2: Investigations - a personal study of a topic to be chosen in term 1
Unit 4: Implications – a unit which focuses on the implications of beliefs and values for religion
and human experience through the study of texts provided in an anthology.
What qualifications do I need?
Standard Sixth Form entry requirement.
Students will need to have a good grasp of written English.
Students do not need to have studied at GCSE level but this would be an advantage.
Equipment
Students at AS and A2 will be supplied with a copy of the relevant core text to support their studies
and can supplement this further from the supplied list of recommended reading.
Assessment
Assessment at AS is by written papers in Unit 1 and 2, and similarly at A2, Unit 3 and Unit 4 are
examined by written paper. Your assessments will be marked on two levels:
A01 – Knowledge and Understanding: 70% at AS and 60% at A2
A02 – Critical argument and justification of a point of view: 30% at AS and 40% at A2
Future Prospects
A level Religious Studies is a rigorous course, designed to encourage you to investigate, to present
widely informed and detailed arguments with well substantiated conclusions, to justify your opinions
and to interpret and evaluate religious concepts and the views of scholars. As such, it is useful for
many subjects at university, not just those of you who wish to take it further as a subject in its own
right. Of course, for those of you who do wish to take Religious Studies further, there are a number of
excellent courses around the country.