AS/A Level Religious Studies

Key Details

Available at:
Rhos-on-Sea, Pwllheli, Dolgellau
Study Mode:
Full-time
Course Length:
1-2 years

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AS/A Level Religious Studies

School Leavers

Dolgellau

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Pwllheli

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Rhos-on-Sea

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Applying for more than one A Level?

You can apply from this page and you will have the opportunity to add your additional A Level subjects at the end of the application process. You can find the A Level subject grid to make your choices on our main A Level page.

Please note: We recommend that you have access to a laptop or Chromebook to enable coursework to be completed digitally at home. There is a dedicated IT Digital Inclusion fund to support those learners who do not have a digital device and are unable to purchase one.

Course Description

Would you like to develop your understanding of religion, ethics and philosophy? This course is designed for a wide range of students who want to explore these areas, whilst also engaging with individual, moral, ethical, social, cultural and contemporary issues. It prepares you for employment and Higher Education, developing in-depth knowledge as well as broad skills of critical thinking and reasoning.

The course offers a framework for considering a variety of topics. This includes the relationships between religion and culture, as well as the moral values of individuals, faith communities, and societies.

You will also gain skills such as reasoning on matters of values, attitudes and actions, in addition to making responsible judgements on significant moral teachings and issues.

Unit information

AS Unit 1 - An Introduction to the Study of Religion

Christianity, the official religion of the United Kingdom, will be studied here. You will learn about some of the key features of religious faith and develop both knowledge and critical understanding by discussing matters such as the nature of God, the authority of the Bible, religious identity etc.

AS Unit 2 - (Part A)

An Introduction to Religion and Ethics - this unit looks at how we approach ethical dilemmas by studying three ethical theories - different ideas on how to make an ethical decision. The theories are applied to every day matters. e.g. We will consider if abortion, euthanasia, sex outside marriage, nuclear weapons and experimenting on animals can be justified or not. Particular attention will be given to the Christian perspective on these matters.

AS Unit 2 - (Part B)

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion - Does God exist? Why does evil exist in the world? These are examples of the questions that will be asked. You will also be given the opportunity of considering the validity of religious experiences such as religious conversions or visions.

A Level Unit 3 - The Study of Religion

You will continue to study Christianity in more depth and will cover themes such as The Bible as the Word of God and Jesus the True Messiah. Was Jesus a product of his time and what is his relevance to Christians today?

A Level Unit 4 - Religion and Ethics

You will continue to study Religion and Ethics in more depth and will cover a variety of ethical theories and apply them to issues such as immigration and the death penalty and the question of freewill.

A Level Unit 5 - Philosophy of Religion

Do miracles happen? Is religion a form of neurosis?

These are the sort of question we will be looking at. You will be given the opportunity to study religious language and consider the arguments against religious belief.

Entry Criteria

Applying for A Levels? Click ‘Apply Now’ on any of the subjects you are interested in studying. You will be able to specify your other two A Level choices during the online application process.

The A Level subject grids for each campus can be found in the guides on the A Level section of the website.

In order to qualify for this course, you will need the following:

6 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or Welsh 1st Language
GCSE Religious Studies grade B. If Religious Studies not studied at GCSE, then GCSE English or Welsh 1st Language grade B

As part of the application process, you will be asked to attend an interview to give you the opportunity to discuss the course.

Progression to A Level is based on your performance at AS Level.

Delivery

The course is delivered through a blend of the following:

Classroom-based learning
Lectures
Presentations
Group work
Research

Your programme will include a combination of:

Essential Skills qualifications and/or
GCSE resits and/or
The Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate is a valuable qualification which is often studied alongside your Level 3 full-time course.

The qualification is graded A*-E, carrying the equivalent UCAS points at Level 3, and equips you with transferable personal and business skills. It is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.

As part of the qualification, you will learn about Global Citizenship, Enterprise and Employability and take part in community engagement and work experience.

Essential Skills

This may include a combination of Application of Number, Communication, Digital Literacy and Essential Employability Skills

GCSE resits

This may include GCSE Numeracy/Maths and/or Welsh/English Language.

Maths & Welsh/English

If you don't achieve a C or above in Maths and/ or English/Welsh, we will support you to retake these subjects as part of your study programme.

Assessment

The programme is exam-based and is assessed through a blend of the following:

Assignments
Controlled assessments
Presentations

Progression

Whether you gain the full A Level or just the AS Level, the course adds to your qualifications and helps you to progress. You will gain UCAS points and be able to apply for a range of Higher Education courses at many institutions.

This includes degrees in Religious Studies, Philosophy and Theology, as well as many other options. Religious Studies is seen as a traditional subject, and as such is highly respected by universities.

The course also prepares you for a variety of careers, either directly or after Higher Education.

Religious Studies caters to a diverse range of occupations, particularly in development work, community-based roles and social care. Further to this, those going into diverse areas such as law, journalism, politics and teacher training find the acquired skills particularly valuable.