Consultations on new GCSE and A level Religious Studies qualifications

DfE consultation

The DfE launched its consultation on the revised subject content for GCSE and A level Religious Studies for first teaching from September 2016. The consultation closes on 29 December 2014.

View the DfE consultation document and revised subject content

Key areas:

• Option to study the beliefs, teachings and sources of wisdom and authority for 2 different religions
• Option to study 1 primary religion in depth and the beliefs, teachings and sources of wisdom and authority for a 2nd religion
• Specifications will require students to demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of religious beliefs in Great Britain
• Opportunity to study optional themes in relation to textual studies and religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world.

Ofqual consultation

Ofqual is consulting on its assessment arrangements for GCSE and A level Religious Studies qualifications in parallel. The Ofqual consultation closes on 5 January 2015.

View Ofqual's proposals for the new qualifications

Key areas:

• Exam only assessment for GCSE, AS and A level Religious Studies
• Proposed assessment objectives that specify more clearly the core abilities for religious studies
• Assessment objectives that promote comparability through the use of fixed weightings rather than ranges
• Different assessment objective weightings for AS and A level qualifications to help promote differentiation.

Best wishes,

The Religious Studies Team