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 or via the Late Application Form below after the Oversubscription Criteria Meeting.

Late Applications: If you are applying for a place at Hillview Sixth Form after the Oversubscription Criteria Meeting in June, please submit your late application using the link below. We will contact you on Friday 21st August 2026 to discuss your application.

Late Applications for Hillview Sixth Form 2026

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.

The Religious Studies A Level is a broad course designed to encourage students to develop an interest in the rigorous study of religion and belief and how it relates to the wider world and their own values, opinions and attitudes. Assessment takes place at the end of Year 13 and is 100% external examination. Over the duration of the two year A Level course, students will be examining the following issues:

Component 1: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
• Arguments for the existence of God
• Evil and suffering
• Issues of human life and death
• Introduction to meta-ethics
• Free will and moral responsibility
• Bentham and Kant

Component 2: Study of Christianity and its Dialogues with Philosophy and Ethics
• Sources of wisdom and authority
• God/gods/ultimate reality
• Expression of religious identity
• Religion, gender and sexuality
• Religion and science
• Religion and secularisation
• Religion and religious pluralism

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 in GCSE English Language and an APS of 4.50 or above is required.

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