Religious Studies

Course summary

A level of Religious Studies is a rigorous academic subject which will hone a range of transferable skills including critical analysis, making judgements, evaluation, synthesis and the ability to carry out independent research. You will be invited to consider a wide range of differing views and perspectives on human life, exploring key theological, philosophical and ethical ideas and concepts. The course also allows for the study of the work of Freud, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Plato and Dawkins to name but a few. This is a popular Advanced level subject, and in the past students have combined A-level Religious Studies with a wide range of subjects (Arts and Sciences); recent leavers have taken up degree courses in English, Law, Psychology, P.P.E., Medicine, Dentistry, Philosophy, Languages, Anthropology and even Mathematics. Those reading Theology have progressed to varied careers including Law, medicine, dentistry the Civil Service, Management, Ministry, charity work, and R.S. teaching. Theology, Philosophy and Ethics degree courses have recently been followed at Oxford, Durham, Cambridge, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Kings (London) and Princeton (USA). The course is open to all pupils, whatever their religious background (or lack of it). GCSE Religious Studies, though very helpful, is not essential, as long as you are prepared to undertake required reading to ‘bridge the gap’. We follow the OCR specification (H573) which incorporates an equal blend of Ethics, Philosophy and the study of Christianity. Assessment objectives will include A01 (Knowledge and Understanding) and A02 (Analysis and Evaluation) with more weight being placed on the latter (as this is worth 60% and the AO1 40%). There is no coursework.