A Level Religious Studies

Religious Studies is a fascinating subject that covers some of humanity’s oldest questions. Within this A level we explore issues concerning morality and philosophy, as well as the development of religious beliefs through history, and the impact of religious issues on contemporary society.

We will begin our studies by examining differing ethical approaches to modern issues such as embryo research, capital punishment and the use of animals in scientific research. We will examine philosophical responses to the arguments for the existence of God, and to the problem of suffering, analysing how the arguments work and critiquing the evidence they draw upon. We will consider the philosophical debate concerning whether or not freewill exists, or whether our behaviour is causally determined.

We will explore the development of Christian beliefs in the afterlife, and the influence of progress in scientific understanding on Christian beliefs. We will explore how Christian views around gender and sexuality have developed and how the religion is responding to social changes.

Students examine the arguments, critically analyse the evidence, and reach informed conclusions about these fascinating philosophical issues and religious debates.

In your first year, you will develop a firm understanding of ethical systems and key responses to key debates in the Philosophy of Religion.

Philosophy of Religion

• Arguments for the existence of God.
• Evil and suffering.
• Religious experience.
• Religious language.
• Miracles.
• Self and life after death.

• Ethical theories.
• Issues of human life and death.
• Issues of animal life and death.
• Conscience - psychological and religious views.
• Free will and moral responsibility.
• Bentham and Kant.

In your second year you will look at topics concerning religion and the modern world, before exploring the relationship between religion and philosophy.

Study of Christianity

• Religion, gender and sexuality.
• Religion and science.
• Religion and secularisation.
• Views on the concept and characteristics of God.
• Good conduct and key moral principles.
• Expression of religious identity.

• How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on philosophy, in relations to the issues studied across the A level course.

• How religion is influenced by, and has an influence on ethical studies in relation to the issues studied across the A level course.

Two x 3-hour exams

• All Loughborough College Sixth Form courses have minimum entry requirements of at least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language and Maths.

• GCSE English Language at grade 5.

Students who wish to take the subject further can apply for degree courses in Theology, Philosophy or Religious Studies. Many students go on to study subjects like Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Politics, English Literature or PPE at university. Students of Religious Studies have continued on to successful careers in many fields, including law, education, business, social work, medicine, administration and the media.