Philosophy and Ethics

Applications Open: 13th November, 2025

Applications Close: 31st January, 2026

Entry Requirements: These are unique to each subject (located on the subject information page).

How to Apply: Please apply via KentChoices

You should only choose one subject per options block with a maximum of three subjects overall.

This specification is designed to encourage candidates to:

• Acquire knowledge and ethical understanding to evaluate a range of current events.

• Develop their critical thinking skills to analyse a range.

• Use evidence to make reasoned arguments on societal issues.

Students will learn about:

Philosophy of Religion

• Ancient philosophical influences

• The nature of the soul, mind, and body

• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God

• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil

Normative Ethics

• normative ethical theories (Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics)

• the application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance

• debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience.

• sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs.

Developments in religious thought

• religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world.

• practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition.

• significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought

Unit 1 – Philosophy of Religion 33%

Unit 2 – Ethics 33%

Unit 3 – Developments in Islamic Thought 33% (option module)

Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics.

The top five-degree courses taken by students who have an A-level in Religious Studies are Philosophy, Law, Sociology, History, Politics. Studying philosophy is an excellent choice for people who are considering careers in journalism, medicine, teaching, charity work, police officer, youth worker and many other career paths.