OCR Advanced Level GCE Religious Studies
at Keswick School, Keswick · school or sixth form
What the college says
Year 1 Developments of religious thought: This includes an examination of human nature, death and the afterlife, the nature of God, moral principles and moral action with a specific focus on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Philosophy: This includes a study of ancient Greek philosophy including Plato and Aristotle, an examination of the body, soul, mind dilemma, philosophical proofs based on observation and reason for the existence of God, religious experience, and the problem of evil. Ethics: This involves a study of the normative ethical theories of natural law, situation ethics, kantian ethics and utilitarianism. Applied ethics involves a discussion of the sanctity and quality of life in relation to euthanasia, business ethics and their relationship with the different ethical theories. Year 2 Developments of religious thought: This includes pluralism and theology which includes gender and society, secularisation and the responses of Freud and Richard Dawkins, humanism and atheism, liberation theology and the responses of Karl Marx. It has links to psychology and sociology. Philosophy: This considers freewill and determinism and religious language (negative, analogical and symbolic), Wittgenstein and logical positivism. Ethics: This includes a study of ethical language (naturalism, intuitionism and emotivism), Freud's psychological approach and Aquinas’ view on conscience and sexual ethics.
What you need to get on
Grade 5 in GCSE English language or literature. It is not essential to have studied philosophy and ethics at GCSE; if you have studied the subject, a grade 5 or above at GCSE is required.
How you are assessed
Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.
What this level means
The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.
Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?
Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.
Where it runs
Keswick School
VICARAGE HILL, KESWICK, CA12 5QB
DaytimeClassroom basedCheck the journey
Start dates
- 3 September 2026 · KESWICK
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