New subject content for GCSE, AS and A level in Religious Studies

These new specifications will be taught from September 2016. The first AS assessments will take place in summer 2017 and the first GCSE and A level assessments will take place in summer 2018.

View the GCSE RS subject content

View the AS and A level RS subject content

Summary of the DfE’s subject content

GCSE

• At least half of the GCSE will be spent developing knowledge and understanding of 2 religions.
• The option to spend up to three quarters of the GCSE time studying 1 of the 2 religions.
• The opportunity to study themes in relation to textual studies and/or religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world.

AS and A level

• All students must develop knowledge and a critical understanding of religious thought, belief and practice in relation to at least one religion.
• Requirement to study 3 approaches from a choice of 4:
  
  • Systematic study of one religion
  • Philosophy of religion
  • Religion and ethics
  • Textual studies

We would like to keep you informed about the changes to Edexcel’s GCSE, AS and A level RS specifications, so please sign up to receive our Religious Studies qualification updates.

Best wishes,

The Religious Studies Team