What is Religious studies?
Religious studies includes in equal thirds: philosophy, ethics and the study of religion (Christianity). The course will give you the opportunity to engage with some of the fundamental questions that people have always asked about life, such as: Why are we here? How should we behave? What happens when we die?
Why study Religious studies?
Studying philosophy, ethics and theology will give you an understanding of the different responses to the big questions of life and the views of philosophers and modern thinkers. The course will help you develop your own thinking, writing, critical analysis and communication skills which will be crucial in a wide range of further education at University and future careers.
Is Religious studies right for you?
For entry on to this course, you will need to meet the college standard entry requirements for Advanced Level study of 5 GCSE passes (grades 6 to 9), including English language and preferably another literary based subject involving a significant amount of reading i.e. English literature or History at a minimum of a grade 6.
What will you study?
- Philosophy of religion
Arguments for and against the existence of God, including design, cause and effect, the challenge of science and the problem of evil - Religion and ethics
A range of ethical theories and questions such as the moral side of murder: are some actions always wrong, or do the ends justify the means? - Study of religion: Christianity
The concept and nature of God, redemption and atonement, death and the afterlife, and whether humans can know God, with feminism, science and atheism as responses to religion and belief - Ethics developed further
Natural law, the double effect theory, meta-ethics, libertarianism and determinism
What happens outside lessons?
We include trips and plan to head to Rome with the Classics Department. Students also have the opportunity of engage in an Online A level Masterclass as well as other Online Seminars relevant to the course. There is also a planned trip to Durham University and their Philosophy and Theology Dept as part of the learning experience.
“Philosophy & Ethics is a nice change from other subjects; it’s something we never did in school and is extremely interesting. It’s by far my favourite A level because it makes you question what you think you already know. It is an intriguing and fascinating subject that enables critical thinking and good discussion in class. It is a difficult subject, but one that helps develop analysing and debating skills. I couldn’t put down a single word to describe the subject, for that which labels it to negates it.”
Michael Vasliv, Class of 2025
Where can Religious studies take you?
The aim is for the course to equip you well for university or employment: to think and evaluate, express yourselves clearly, strengthen your skills and mature as individuals. A good number of our students choose to continue Religious studies or Philosophy at Degree level or as part of teacher training. After graduating or leaving college, students have progressed to careers in: Politics, Economics, Teaching, Media, Journalism, the Police Force, Medicine, the Armed Forces, Marketing, Law and Medicine
What subjects go well with Religious studies?
Classics, History, Sociology, Psychology, Politics, English and Economics. Some students have also combined either the Sciences or the Arts with Philosophy.
What are the entry requirements?
- General requirements: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
- Subject specific: Grade 5 in English language or literature. An average GCSE score of 5.5 or above is preferred. If you took GCSE religious studies, at least grade 4.