Religious Studies

Applications Open: Open Now!

Applications Close: Wednesday 7th January 2026

Entry Requirements: Minimum entry requirements are 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, which MUST include English Language and Mathematics, plus any additional individual subject requirements.

How to Apply: Applications are only accepted via Kent Choices.

The A Level Religious Studies course requires students to think critically about their own views and opinions relating to religion, beauty, life and death, humour and the mere existence of life. It is an inclusive subject, designed for people of any faith and people who have no faith. Students will learn how to construct well-informed, reasoned arguments, substantiated by relevant evidence and also how to critically analyse and evaluate the views of scholars and academics from across the past 3,000 years of philosophical and ethical thought. It will also focus on the contrasts between Eastern and Western thought along with atheistic belief systems such as Humanism.

What will I study?

How do you know you are real?

Is it really wrong to kill?

Why are zombies the go-to idea about the end of the world?

Is God made up by humans just to make them feel better about themselves?

Welcome to Religious Studies A-Level, where these ideas and more are considered as part of the Eduqas course.

Two thirds of the course is focused on Philosophy and Ethics; considering Cartesian concepts of self, whether there is an objective morality, differences between ‘good’ and ‘right’, does belief in religion inhibit human flourishing.

The final part is a study of Christianity: If God exists is it reasonable to ascribe gender? Was Jesus just a social revolutionary rather than God made flesh? Does belief in resurrection of the body mean we all come back as zombies?

Assessment:

3 x 2 hour exams:

• Philosophy

• Ethics

• Study of a World Religion: Christianity

Ultimately the subject encourages empathy and understanding of others – not agreement or simple toleration, but engagement, dialogue, and a way of making society better.

General entry requirements: Grade 4 in English Language and Maths together with 3 other GCSE grades at grade 4 or above is the minimum requirement to enter Hillview Sixth Form.

SUBJECT SPECIFIC ENTRANCE CRITERIA:

Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language and Grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths. APS of 4.5 or above is required. There is no requirement to have studied the subject previously.

This subject can also be used to support entry into higher education courses, especially Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy, Law, Sociology and the Social Sciences.