Religion & Ethics A Level

The Religion & Ethics A Level course gives learners an opportunity to study for three papers, namely, Developments in Christian Thought (Religion), Philosophy and Ethics.  Students need to enjoy discussing complex and often controversial subjects like sexual ethics, euthanasia, business ethics, feminism, Marxism and the afterlife.

Those who wish to ask the ultimate questions about life and the universe, while exploring some of the answers offered by philosophers and scholars, are likely to feel at home on this course. It is a very accessible course and previous knowledge of Religious Studies GCSE, whilst helpful, is not a requirement.

The Religion & Ethics course complements a wide range of subjects including:

• Classical Civilisation
• Economics
• English
• Government and Politics
• History
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Sciences
• Law
• Sociology

A Level Religion and Ethics can provide students 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.

There are many challenging and rewarding jobs, using either direct knowledge gained from the subject or from the skills gained. Possible future career paths include Education, Law, Medicine, Science, Journalism and Social Work.

The course covers the following topics:

• Philosophy of Religion
  • What can society learn from religion?
  • How does religion contribute to or detract from feminism?
  • How do Marxist and liberation movements relate to religion?
  • Do all religions have equal value?
  • Do all religions lead to the same truth?
• Religion and Ethics
  • What is reality?
  • Do we have a soul?
  • Can philosophy prove or disprove God?
  • Is it unreasonable to doubt the existence of God?
  • Does evil and suffering negate God’s existence?
  • Is God-talk meaningless?
  • Are visions, voices and miracles just delusions or are they true experiences?
• Developments in Christan thought
  • Is the best decision the one which pleases the many?
  • When is a life no longer a life?
  • Do we have the right to choose when we die?
  • Is good ethics the basis of good business?
  • Is the area of sexual behaviour entirely private and personal?
  • Do we have an innate sense of right and wrong?

This course is 100% examination based. You will take 3 x 2 hour exams.

The exam board for this A Level is OCR (A Level Religious Studies).

All students need to have at least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (and a satisfactory school reference) in order to be accepted on an A Level/BTEC Level 3 Programme. 

In addition, students should meet the following minimum GCSE requirements:  

• Grade 5 in English Language

or

• Grade 5 in a Literate Subject (English Literature, History, RS)

Religious Studies GCSE, whilst helpful, is not a requirement.

How is Religion and Ethics different from Philosophy?

The qualification you receive at the end of the Upper Sixth year is in Religious Studies; unlike the AQA Philosophy course, the Religion and Ethics course includes a unit on Christianity and the development of thought within it, exploring how religion has impacted philosophical and ethical developments.

The assessment is also different; at the end of Year 13 you will sit three external papers, one for each element of the course. Each paper is two hours long and contains three essay questions, worth forty marks each.

Does Religion and Ethics A Level involve much writing?

Yes. Religion and Ethics is an essay-based subject, which involves regular written assignments, as well as three two-hour, essay based exams at the end of the course.

What skills do I need to succeed?

Religion and Ethics students should be interested in debating and have open minds. You will also need to read extensively beyond the course content, and you will need to develop writing skills to help you answer the exam questions at the end of Upper Sixth as the assessment is fully essay based.