Do you want to study an A Level that will stretch your mind, introduce you to great thinkers and give you a qualification respected throughout higher education? Do you enjoy debating the big issues such as whether God exists? This course is for students who value the opportunity to explore issues concerning human life and existence.
Students studying three A Levels or a mixed programme will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 5 and three at grade 4, including English Language and Mathematics.
You will be required to study six units, three in the first year and three in the second year. These modules include:
Philosophy of Religion
Religious Ethics
Christian Thinking
Students must follow the news as we will use current issues to bring our studies to life. Issues such as poverty, feminism, abortion, euthanasia are used within lessons and it is expected that students will be able to bring current issues and debates surrounding these areas into their essays. There is an important focus on literacy.
You will be required to study six units, three in the first year and three in the second. These modules include:
Ethics: This unit includes the study of ethical theories such as utilitarianism and situation ethics and their attitude towards the nature and value of human life. You will be required to apply the theories to moral issues such as euthanasia and sexuality.
Philosophy: You will study the various arguments for the existence of God and the issues surrounding the problem of evil and human suffering. In addition to this, you will explore religious experiences and the Ancient Greek ideas on religion.
Christianity: You will study the key concepts within the development of Christian thought such as the person of Jesus. You will explore religious beliefs, values and teachings, their inter-connections, how they have developed historically and how they are presently.
This course is assessed by three external examinations. Each paper contains four questions, of which students choose three.
Exam Board: Cambridge OCR
Students within this department enjoy various enrichment activities:
Debating Club
Philosophy Club
University tours
Visits to places of worship
Many students take part in charity work and volunteer at hospices and community centres
There is an emphasis on the development of thinking skills through forming coherent arguments and the rigorous analysis of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. This course is therefore rightly regarded as a highly academic subject and is well respected by employers and universities alike. We have excellent links with prestigious universities and progression rates to higher education are high. Give your university applications the competitive edge and develop the thinking skills for the 21st Century.
The department is committed to facilitating your learning in an enthusiastic and supportive manner. We offer additional support and an enrichment programme, as well as having many excellent e-learning resources to aid your progression through the subject content.
Students who have a qualification in Religion, Ethics and Philosophy can move into any profession as the skills that you will develop in analysis and argument are transferable and are valuable in a range of careers. Many students progress into careers within the civil service, teaching, journalism, nursing and law.
Students must follow the news as we will use current issues to bring our studies to life. Issues such as poverty, feminism, abortion, euthanasia are used within lessons and it is expected that students will be able to bring current issues and debates surrounding these areas into their essays. There is an important focus on literacy. Students will be encouraged to read widely around the course and to develop the skills of academic writing. Arguing to a conclusion is a requirement and will be taught alongside the course specification.
Studying:
A Level – Psychology, Religion, Ethics & Philosophy and Sociology
Previous school:
Canon Slade School
Second-year students at The Sixth Form Bolton have recently begun hearing back from their university applications, with several receiving offers to study Medicine and Veterinary Science. Anya Patel, a former Sharples School pupil who studies A Level Biology, Chemistry and Psychology alongside the Honours Programme with EPQ and Core Maths, was delighted to receive an offer from the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
The Sixth Form Bolton is delighted to announce that it will be launching an A Level in Textiles from September 2026. This exciting course will give students the opportunity to explore the world of fashion, interiors, and surface design while developing their own unique creative voice.
Sixth Form Bolton Students Excited to Secure Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science Offers
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