Religious Studies

The Course

GCSE Religious Studies provides opportunities for candidates to follow a course that balances knowledge of core beliefs, teachings and practices with an understanding of how they can be applied to philosophical and ethical themes. 

Course Content

The GCSE Religious Studies course will:

• Develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism

• Develop learners’ knowledge  of religious beliefs, teachings, practices and sources of wisdom and authority, including through their reading of key religious texts, other texts, and scriptures of the religions they are studying.

• Develop learners’ ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject

• Provide opportunities for learners to engage with philosophical questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on human life.

• Challenge learners to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a society which allows a collection of religious and non-religious beliefs.

• Provide learners with the opportunity to study Welsh religious elements and explore different places of worship in the locality.  

Following this course will enable learners to:

• Deepen their understanding of the nature of belief and the impact  it has on society.

• Become informed about common and divergent views within traditions in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fact that religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian.

• Understand that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse and include the following religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism

Course Structure

There will be two external examinations: 

Unit 1: Religion and Philosophical Themes - 2 hour written exam. 

Unit 2: Religion and Ethics - 2 hour written exam.