Philosophy, Theology and Ethics (PTE

Philosophy, Theology and Ethics (PTE) Head of Department: Mrs Hall (hallk@ashfordschool.co.uk)

Why Study Religious Studies: Philosophy, Theology and Ethics?

The course will develop your ability to explore difficult concepts in a rational manner and is available to anyone who wants to explore some of the ‘big questions’ in life – can we trust the information we gain from our senses? Is belief in the soul and life after death rational? Do you have to be religious to do the right thing? Should everyone have the right to die? What do we mean by human nature? How do people gain knowledge of God? Philosophers and theologians have been debating these issues for millennia, and if you would like to join the ongoing search for the answers to these questions, this might just be the A level for you. Please note that you do not need to have studied the GCSE course in order to take this A Level. RS A level provides an excellent foundation for a range of careers – from medicine to public service to business, and it is increasingly relevant in this globalised world. Furthermore, it is an excellent A Level to support the study of a range of subjects, from Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Art and of course, all the other Humanities.

Course Description

In Year 12, you will begin your philosophical quest with a foundation of Ancient-Greek thought that focuses on the work of Plato and Aristotle. This will then enable you to access arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the debate on the soul, mind and body in a coherent and logical manner. In Ethics, you will explore theories such as utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, as well as applying them to euthanasia and business ethics. In Theology, you will study topics such as Augustine’s teaching on human nature, as well as death and the afterlife. You will consider the different moral principles that exist in Christianity, and how these are put into action.

In Year 13 you will explore the complex philosophical issues behind religious language and the nature of God. In Ethics, you will learn about the language used in ethics, views on the conscience, and applying ethical theories to issues in sexual ethics. In Theology you will consider the impact of pluralism, gender and secularism on Christian thought and practice.

Beyond A Level

Studying Religious Studies: Philosophy, Ethics and Theology is of value in and of itself (because the subject is so interesting!), and, because of the transferable skills students acquire after completing the A Level, the course is valuable as a basis to study just about any academic subject at degree level. The skills of critical analysis and evaluation have value across the spectrum of degree courses. The emphasis on coherent, logical and structured essays will be of great value for university. Many students have found A Level particularly helpful in careers related to law, journalism, business and politics. Employers are always on the look-out for people who have the skills of thinking ‘outside the box’ and being able to deconstruct a complex problem into logical steps.

Preferred Entry Requirements

It is not necessary that you have studied RS at GCSE, and you do not need to have a religious leaning. To take the course, it is strongly recommended to have achieved GCSEs at Grade 6 or higher in English Language and English Literature, as well as Grade 5 or above in Mathematics, and if taken, a Grade 6 or above in Religious Studies. What is absolutely required though is that you have an inquisitive nature – that you love asking questions and always push for answers. With this desire to know, or to find out, the course will definitely engage you.

Technical Details

Exam Board

Qualification Type

Course Title

Specification Code

External Exams (end of Year 13) Coursework OCR A level Religious Studies H573

Number Duration

Weighting (% of total A level) 3 2 hours each 33.3% each