Religious Studies at Fulston

Applications Open: - Friday 14 November 2025

Applications Close: - 13 February 2026. Applications may be considered after this date but it is strongly advised to apply before this deadline.

Entry Requirements: - Admission to courses - This is based on your needs and staff advice, but you should be aware of these points: 1. You will need to obtain a minimum of six GCSE passes at Level 5 or above including Mathematics and English (a minimum of a grade 5 in the reformed GCSE qualifications in English and Mathematics) and grades 9-6 in their preferred A-Level subjects or nearest equivalents. 2. Subjects have clear entry requirements. You will find these under the course details or from Subject Heads.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices (Internal and External Students)

External Applicants - please click here (This form is for external candidates and parents/carers to book a slot to ask any questions about the admissions process and Sixth Form at Highsted Grammar School). Please be aware that it is first come, first served. We will try our best to accommodate your preferences but this might not always be possible).

Internal candidates - should contact their Head of Year directly.

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

The course ensures students have a thorough understanding of diverse philosophical and ethical viewpoints. Students gain critical and evaluative skills sought by higher education and employers – particularly in law, education, social work, politics, medicine, administration and the media. Religious Studies is a thought provoking subject and the contemporary themes will inspire engaging classroom discussion.

This is what some employees say about the value of religious studies qualifications:

Metropolitan Police Recruitment Office: “It shows that a person has some understanding of the beliefs and values of others.”

Journalist: “Religious Studies is a way of broadening your understanding of the world and of people. In this job, you have to meet people from all walks of life, and a huge range of cultural backgrounds.”

Retail Management: “I’m not particularly religious; it was something that I took because it did give me a broad spectrum and I work with a lot of different kinds of people”

AIMS OF THE COURSE

Courses based on this specification encourage students to:

develop their interest in a rigorous study of philosophical, ethical and religious belief and relate it to the wider world

develop knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of philosophy of religion and ethics

develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies

adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of philosophy, ethics and religion

reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their study.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Paper 1: Philosophy of religion

Paper 2: Religion and ethics

Paper 3: Developments in Christian thought

The A Level course is assessed entirely by external assessment (examination). There is no assessment based on coursework for this subject.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Students will normally be expected to have 5 9-5 grades (or equivalent) including a grade 5 or better in GCSE Religious Studies. Interested and well-motivated students who do not possess these qualifications may still be admitted onto the course at the department’s discretion.

This is what some employees say about the value of religious studies qualifications:

Metropolitan Police Recruitment Office: “It shows that a person has some understanding of the beliefs and values of others.”

Journalist: “Religious Studies is a way of broadening your understanding of the world and of people. In this job, you have to meet people from all walks of life, and a huge range of cultural backgrounds.”

City Personnel Firm: “I have worked in manufacturing, construction, mining, the car industry, and accountancy. A religious understanding of life and affairs has always been of value in making judgments at and about work.”

Music Business: “Without something like religious studies, you have no frame of reference to make your own decisions and work out your own feelings.”

Cardiologist: “When you work in a hospital, you come across quite a lot of people from varying backgrounds. Doing religious studies prepared me for this.”

Retail Management: “I’m not particularly religious; it was something that I took because it did give me a broad spectrum and I work with a lot of different kinds of people.”