GCE Religious Studies (2016)

The CCEA GCE Religious Studies specification offers an academic approach to the study of religion, ethics and philosophy. It gives students opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of religion.

This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. They can also choose to take the AS course as a stand-alone qualification.

At AS level, students choose two units. Students who continue to A2 study a further two units. For details on areas of study and possible unit combinations, please see the specification.

There are a total of eight units available at AS and eight at A2:

  • Unit AS 1: An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
  • Unit AS 2: An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles
  • Unit AS 3: An Introduction to Themes in the Old Testament
  • Unit AS 4: The Origins and Development of the Early Christian Church to AD 325
  • Unit AS 5: The Celtic Church in Ireland in the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Centuries
  • Unit AS 6: An Introduction to Islam
  • Unit AS 7: Foundations of Ethics with Special Reference to Issues in Medical Ethics
  • Unit AS 8: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
  • Unit A2 1: Themes in the Synoptic Gospels
  • Unit A2 2: Themes in Selected Letters of St Paul
  • Unit A2 3: Themes in the Old Testament
  • Unit A2 4: Themes in the Early Church and the Church Today
  • Unit A2 5: Themes in the Celtic Church, Reformation and Post-Reformation Church
  • Unit A2 6: Islam in a Contemporary Context
  • Unit A2 7: Global Ethics
  • Unit A2 8: Themes in the Philosophy of Religion.

Current Specification

First teaching: from September 2016
First award of AS level: from Summer 2017
First award of A level: from Summer 2018
QAN AS level: 601/8452/8
QAN A level: 601/8453/X
Subject code: 4610
Guided learning hours AS level: 180
Guided learning hours A level: 360
Qualification level: 3

Skills developed through our GCE Religious Studies

This specification builds on learning from Key Stage 4 and gives students opportunities to continue to develop the Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. These include Communication, Using Mathematics, Using ICT, problem solving, working with others and self-management. At AS level, students reflect on the relationship between their units of study and other aspects of human experience. Synoptic assessment at A2 level requires students to explore a set theme in relation to another unit of study and other aspects of human experience.

For more information on this specification contact:

Donna Finlay
Subject Officer
(028) 9590 6694
Arlene Ashfield
Specification Support Officer
(028) 9590 6678