FORUM
CIFE
the sixth-form experts
Call us now for advice
0208 767 8666
  • Home
  • About CIFE
    • Close
    • menu-about-image
    • About CIFE
      • About CIFE
      • CIFE news
      • FAQs about CIFE colleges
      • Choose the right CIFE college
      • Why colleges join CIFE
      • Links to good sites for sixth formers
      • CIFE Student of the month
      • CIFE Student Profiles
      • cife is the professional association for independent sixth-form colleges

        All CIFE colleges share the belief that students come first and that education should adapt to the individual rather than the other way round. That belief is made real by staff who have the time to get to know students fast and to tailor their approach to each individual. This makes CIFE colleges particularly good at helping students change school successfully.

        GET IN TOUCH

  • Choose a college
    • Close
        • Bath
          Bath Academy
        • Birmingham
          MPW Birmingham
        • Cambridge
          CATS College Cambridge
          MPW Cambridge
        • Canterbury
          CATS College Canterbury
        • Market Harborough
          Brooke House College
        • Northampton
          Bosworth Independent College
        • Oxford
          Carfax College
          Cherwell College
          Oxford International College
          Oxford Sixth Form College
        • Reading
          Padworth College
        • Rochester
          Rochester Independent College
        • London
          Ashbourne Independent Sixth-form College
          Bales College
          Cambridge Tutors College
          CATS College London
          Collingham Independent College
          David Game College
          LSI Independent Sixth-form College
          MPW London
          Regent Independent College
          Westminster Tutors
      • Read our questions to ask cife colleges for advice on making the best choice.

        Find out more about cife colleges' approach to sixth-form education.

        For help and advice on choosing the right college for you please get in touch.

        GET IN TOUCH

  • Fees & Scholarships
    • Close
    • menu-fees-image
    • Fees at CIFE Colleges
      • Fees at CIFE Colleges
      • Scholarships
      • Each cife college sets its own fees. Comparing fees at sixth form colleges isn’t always straightforward because many charge a fee that depends upon the number and level of the subjects you take. View the links on our cife college fees page to quickly find individual college fees.

        If you need financial help in order to study at a cife college, do have a look at Help with Fees at CIFE colleges as many colleges offer scholarships for talented students.

        GET IN TOUCH

  • Advice
    • Close
    • menu-advice-image
    • All Sixth-form advice articles
      • Choose the right A levels
      • A guide to individual A level subjects
      • How to choose your CIFE college
      • The EPQ – Extended Project Qualification
      • How to revise
      • FAQs about A level retakes
      • FAQs for international students
      • CIFE intercollegiate articles
      • We have a library of over 60 free advice articles ranging from how to pick the right A levels, through how to revise effectively, to how to get the best out of university open days. Browse our full sixth form advice library, or if you need further help please get in touch and we will do our best to help you.

        • Sixth-form advice articles about study skills...
        • Advice articles about sixth-form choices...
        • Sixth-form advice articles about university entrance...

        GET FREE ADVICE

  • Courses
    • Close
    • menu-courses-image
    • All courses
      • Two-year A-level
      • A-level retakes
      • One-year A-level courses
      • Final-year A-level
      • University Foundation courses
      • GCSE courses
      • Easter Revision Courses
      • With their long experience of helping students settle in quickly, wide subject choice and flexible course structures, courses at cife colleges make it easy to move school and they provide an excellent environment for a new start.

        For free, independent advice on the course options available to you please get in touch.

        GET IN TOUCH

  • Contact us
logo

All about A level Religious Studies

Home » Sixth-form advice articles » Guide to individual A level subjects » All about A level Religious Studies

What’s A level Religious Studies about?

Fascinating and enlightening, A level Religious Studies can be an excellent subject choice. Not only will you develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of world religions, philosophy and ethics but you will also gain many valuable transferable skills along the way. The A level syllabus combines the in-depth study of the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics with the study of a major world religion and the development of thought within it.

In the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics section, areas of study include the application of ethictheories to contemporary issues including abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and embryonic research. The philosophical element looks at a variety of fascinating topics, including the nature of the mind, body and soul, arguments for and against the existence of God, and the problem of evil.

Students study one major world religion chosen by their college (from a choice of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism). The topics of study within these religions will vary, but examples of areas you can expect to cover include the religion’s teachings and interpretations of wisdom and authority, the self, death and the afterlife, gender and sexuality and expressions of religious identity. For more information have a look at the AQA Religious Studies specification.

The Edexcel exam board also includes an optional paper on New Testament studies, which covers the historical and religious context of the New Testament and different interpretations of the scripture.

What sort of work is involved?

A level Religious Studies is a highly engaging subject, and you can expect classes to involve a considerable amount of discussion and debate. To get the most out of the subject, you must be willing to participate in these discussions, both sharing your own ideas and listening and respecting the views of others. You will develop skills of critical evaluation and analysis, which you will practice within these discussions and in essay-writing.

What background do I need?

Whilst a GCSE in the subject is desirable, it isn't essential. Religious Studies is very accessible at A level provided you have an understanding of the basics of major world religions, and strong writing skills. In this light, a strong grade in an essay-based GCSE, for example English, is a big plus. Alongside these skills, you need to have a keen interest in the subject, including a desire to broaden your knowledge and understanding of religion, philosophy and ethics, and to develop your skills in critical thinking and analysis.

If this sounds like you, A level Religious Studies could prove to be a subject you will enjoy and do well in. It is a strong subject to have alongside Maths and Science subjects to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person with an informed world view.

Where can it lead?

A level Religious Studies can provide you with excellent transferable skills, from essay writing, developing confidence in debating, to developing the ability to appreciate other viewpoints. These skills can be incredibly helpful in a range of University degrees involving critical thinking and discussion e.g. Humanities, English, Psychology, PPE.

Religious Studies or a related subject at degree level can lead to a range of challenging and rewarding jobs, using either direct knowledge gained from the subject or from the skills gained. Possible jobs from a Religious Studies degree include: Lecturing, teaching, advice worker, archivist, work within 'third sector' organisations, counselling, community development worker, and police officer or youth worker.

One year?

A level Religious Studies is one of the subjects where a one-year course is more manageable. There is limited overlap between the components you are required to study, meaning it’s okay to study multiple components of the course alongside each other (as is required in one-year courses). Saying this, a one-year course is never easy and it is very important you are fully committed to the subject and understand the volume of work involved in an intensive A level.

Assessment

The exact exam structure varies between examination boards (for example AQA have three compulsory papers, while EDEXCEL require you to take three papers from a choice of 4). All exams require extended written answers. Since much of the Religious Studies course involves essay writing, you should be good at presenting ideas and arguments in essays by the time the exam comes around!

Exam questions test your ability to analyse and evaluate the knowledge and understanding of religion, ethics and belief that you have built up during the course.

 

Article written by Natalie Middleton of Collingham College

Return to the list of A level subjects

Free advice on A level subject choice
Please feel free to get in touch by
calling 0208 767 8666
emailing us at enquiries@cife.org.uk
or filling in the contact form below.

    Your Name (required):

    Your Email (required):

    Your contact phone number:

    Tell us how we can help:


    The data entered on this form will be used only for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. It will not be used for sales/marketing, nor shared with any third party unless required to respond to your query (i.e. with one of our partner colleges).


     



    Return to the list of A level subjects

    Our Advice page links to more cife articles.  

     
     
    [testimonials_slider refresh_interval=3 random="true" show_start_stop="false" hide_source="true" adaptive_height="false"]

    Further advice articles

    • Sixth-form advice articles about study skills...
    • Advice articles about sixth-form choices...
    • Sixth-form advice articles about university entrance...

    Need any help?

    Please feel free to contact us for no-obligation, independent advice; either by calling us on 0208 767 8666 or by filling in the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

     

      Your Name (required):

      Your Email (required):

      Your contact phone number:

      Tell us how we can help:


      The data entered on this form will be used only for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. It will not be used for sales/marketing, nor shared with any third party unless required to respond to your query (i.e. with one of our partner colleges).


       

      Share:
      Paul Redhead On 5th June 2019   /    

      Courses at cife colleges

      GCSE courses
      Two-year A level courses
      Final-year A level courses
      One-year A level courses
      A level retake courses
      University Foundation courses
      Easter A level & GCSE revision courses

      Advice articles

      FAQs about retakes
      Revision
      UCAS personal statement
      Tips for a top UCAS application
      For international students
      Choosing the right A levels
      Oxbridge and medicine interviews
      All advice articles

      cife

      More about cife
      FAQ about colleges
      News
      Why colleges join cife
      Useful links
      Fees at cife colleges
      Contact us

      Sitemap
      Privacy policy
      Website Terms & Conditions
      Copyright © 2017 - 2021 cife
       
      Web Design by WebSanity
       
      BACK TO TOP
      Back to Top