The Religious Studies A Level will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of answers to key ethical, philosophical and religious questions. It will cover a range of issues which have been debated throughout history, and which are still relevant today. The A Level course involves the study of three modules from the OCR Religious Studies course.

• GCSE English Language grade 4 or above
• GCSE Religious Studies grade 5 or above
• If GCSE Religious Studies has not been sat, applicants need to achieve a GCSE English Language or Literature grade 5 or above.

Philosophy of religion
Learners will study:

• Ancient philosophical influences on the philosophy of religion, including Aristotle and Plato
• The nature of the soul, mind and body
• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God
• The nature and impact of religious experience
• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
• Ideas about the nature of God
• Issues in religious language.

Religion and ethics
Learners will study:

• Normative ethical theories – theories which attempt to set rules for what is right and what is wrong, e.g. Utilitarianism and Natural Law
• The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance –euthanasia and business ethics
• Ethical language and thought
• Debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience
• Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs.

Developments in religious thought
Learners will study the following issues in the context of Christianity:

• Beliefs about human nature
• Death and the Afterlife
• Beliefs about God and Jesus
• Christian morality and ethics
• Religious pluralism – how Christians respond to other religions
• Gender
• Secularism
• Liberation Theology and Marx

Religious Studies is a sought-after subject amongst employers and higher education institutions because it equips students with a wide range of different skills. It enables students to understand a variety of belief systems and, most importantly, to be able to evaluate beliefs and arguments. A Level Religious Studies students will develop skills in literacy, textual analysis, critical thinking, logical reasoning and evaluation of arguments. Religious Studies students enter a wide range of careers including journalism, policing, finance (accountancy, banking, management and consultancy), education, marketing, sales, advertising, law and social work. Recent Religious Studies students have gone on to study a very broad range of subjects at University, including Philosophy, Psychology, Accounting, Music Technology and Science, to name just a few.

Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers.