Religion, Philosophy & Ethics A Level
Course Overview
Does God exist? Why is there suffering? How should we live our lives? Who was Buddha? Why do people meditate? Religion, Philosophy and Ethics A Level explores the variety of answers to these questions from the great thinkers of Buddhism, Philosophy and Ethics. You will find this course interesting if you are curious about and keen to engage with the beliefs and practices of diverse cultures and societies.
There are three components covered, each with their own two-hour exam at the end of the course:
- Buddhism: This includes the study of key figures, texts and practices, including the Buddha, the Dalai Lama, the Pali canon, meditation, and mindfulness. You will also study central concepts and teachings, such as nirvana, karma, and rebirth. You will investigate the impact of historical and social developments in the global spread of Buddhism to Japan, Tibet and Britain as well as analyse issues within Buddhism such as its relationship with modern science and the roles of gender in religion.
- Philosophy of Religion: Philosophy of Religion covers classical and modern arguments for and against the existence of God, the challenges to religious belief (from psychology and atheism and the problem of evil), the study of religious experience and miracles and the study of religious language as symbol, myth, analogy.
- Religion and Ethics: You will study religious and secular ethical theories such as Virtue Theory, Natural Law, and Utilitarianism. As you develop and deepen your understanding of these theories, you will apply them to moral issues such as immigration, euthanasia, and nuclear deterrence. You will also analyse the scholarly debate about freewill versus determinism.
Our Religion, Philosophy and Ethics course gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in critical thinking and both written and verbal communication, which are highly valued by employers. Universities hold this A Level in high regard as the skills developed facilitate entry to a variety of degree courses. You will find the knowledge and skills learnt on this course useful in many careers, including law, education, public services, health care and social work.
Buddhism: Component 1 - studied over 2 years
- Key figures and texts in Buddhism
- Central concepts and teachings in Buddhism
- Historical and social developments of Buddhism
- Key practices in Buddhism
Philosophy of Religion: Component 2 - studied over 2 years
- Arguments for and against the existence of God
- Challenges and responses to religious belief
- The meaning of religious language
- Arguments for and against religious experience and Miracles
Religion and Ethics: Component 3 - studied over 2 years
- Ethical thought and ethical language
- Deontological ethics: theory and application
- Teleological ethics: theory and application
- Freewill and libertarianism versus predestination and determinism
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:
- Grade 5 in GCSE English Language
- Grade 5 in GCSE Religious Studies if taken
- Grade 5 in another Humanities subject
Assessment
- 100% Exam
- Exam Board: EDUQAS
47
Total students
16
Average class size
Why choose this course?
You will enjoy this course if you like reading texts, reflecting on fundamental ideas and writing essays about views that are often different from your own. You will find it interesting if you are curious about and keen to engage with the beliefs and practices of diverse cultures and societies.
There are trips to academic conferences at the University of Cambridge to extend understanding of topics in the philosophy and ethics components. Where possible, there have been visits to Buddhist centres or monasteries. Students have attended virtual university seminars for A Level students on related topics such as the ethics of the pandemic and on Buddhist meditation practices.
Skills you'll gain
The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics course gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in critical thinking and in written and verbal communication. You will spend your time analysing the variety of answers to questions from the great thinkers of Buddhism, Philosophy and Ethics and developing your essay writing skills. You will be able to demonstrate your understanding of the topics and your ability to analyse and evaluate course content, including abstract ideas.
After Long Road
The analytical and evaluative skills gained through the study of this RPE A level are valued by employers and useful in careers such as law, education, public services, health care and social work. Universities regard RPE A level positively as the skills developed facilitate entry to a variety of degree courses as well as to those associated directly with the subject.
Recent students have gone on to study:
- Theology and religious studies at Oxford University
- Law at the University of Sussex
- Philosophy and Literature at Warwick University
- Classics at the University of Edinburgh
- Social policy at the University of Bath
- Philosophy and Religious studies at the University of Edinburgh
- Social and Political Science at the University of Leeds
I enjoy thinking deeply about life’s important questions and I have become very interested in Buddhism which was new to me when I started the course. It helps in RPE if you are open-minded and enjoy writing essays!
