Religious Studies A Level

Applications Open - 1st November 2025

Applications Close - 15th December 2025

Entry Requirements - Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 35 points from their best six GCSE subjects or equivalent (in the view of the School).

• Points will be on a 1-9 point scale, where Grade 1=1 and 2=2 etc.

• Candidates must also obtain at least a Grade 5 in English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent (in the view of the School).

Candidates must meet the specific requirements for each A Level course they wish to study as published in the 2025 Sixth Form Prospectus, which will be available on the website.

How to Apply - Do not apply through Kent Choices. Please apply via Cranbrook School Website using the following link: https://www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/admissions/sixth-form-admissions/

The course consists of:

Philosophy of Religion (01) • Ancient philosophical influences

• The nature of the soul, mind and body

• Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God

• The nature and impact of religious experience

• The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil

• Ideas about the nature of God

• Issues in religious language

Religion and Ethics (02) • Normative ethical theories

• The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues

• Ethical language and thought

• Debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience

• Sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought

Developments in Christian

Thought (03) • Religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world

• Sources of religious wisdom and authority

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

• Significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought

• Key themes related to the relationship between religion and society

A Level 6 or above in English would be an advantage, although not a necessity.

This course has strong links with other subjects, such as History and English, although it also contains elements of sociology, psychology, classics and anthropology. By studying Philosophy and Ethics, a wide variety of subject options in further education are opened up. In fact, the Russell Group universities count this course as one of the most valuable GCE qualifications to have. In terms of the subject’s use for future careers, according to a recent Times article ‘Philosophy is, in commercial jargon, the ultimate "transferable work skill"’. Whilst this qualification is extremely useful in a wide range of careers, it is particularly well suited to professions such as medicine, law and education, as the skills it teaches you is the ability to critically analyse and evaluate sources, and argue to a logical conclusion, yet at the same time being tolerant and respectful towards the views of others.