Religion (Buddhism), Philosophy of Religion and Ethics A Level

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

100% Exam

Exam Board: EDUQAS

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