GCSE Religious Studies

Studying religion, values and ethics empowers learners to seek out, understand and express what is important in life, and to question who we are and why we are here.

GCSE Religious Studies encourages learners to make sense of - and interpret - the human experience, the natural world, and their own place within it, awakening a sense of awe and wonder and firing the imagination.

This qualification will inspire learners to face the future with curiosity and compassion, growing in knowledge, understanding and wisdom, by engaging with different religions, non-religious beliefs, contemporary ethical issues, and philosophical convictions locally, nationally and globally.

What will learners be assessed on?

Learners will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of:

• Religion and of non-religious, philosophical, ethical, and moral contemporary world views to:
  • Engage in and apply the skills of enquiry
  • Use questioning and analytical skills to support exploration and contemplation
  • Make connections and transfer learning into new and unfamiliar contexts
  • Think critically about and evaluate religious and non-religious beliefs, teachings, practices, values, and philosophical convictions
  • Apply their knowledge and understanding in making supported judgements.
• Christian beliefs, values, teachings, practices, and philosophical convictions, making appropriate use of differing teachings, beliefs and practices within Christianity and applying these beliefs to the values and philosophical convictions held by Christians^[1].
• Religious and non-religious beliefs, teachings, practices, and philosophical convictions.
• How religion and belief, people, and places influence change and how this has impacted on local, national and global events.
• Religious and non-religious world views on the purpose and role of humanity and environmental responsibility.
• Diversity within and across religious and non-religious views.

Learners can choose to explore other religions and non-religious belief systems, teachings, practices, values, and philosophical convictions. These can be chosen from:

• Islam
• Buddhism
• Judaism
• Sikhism (Sikhi)
• Hinduism
• Humanism

The qualification will support the Religion, Values and Ethics statutory guidance (‘RVE guidance’) as set out in the Curriculum for Wales Framework. However this qualification is not the only way in which schools should implement this guidance.

There will be natural and authentic opportunities for learners to explore Human Rights and diversity, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic history, identity, culture, and contributions, through the lens of Religious Studies.

How will learners be assessed?

Exams (70%):

• Learners will sit two exam papers (each of equal weighting):
  • One will assess knowledge and understanding of religion, beliefs, teachings, and practices.
  • The other will assess a learner’s ability to apply their knowledge and understanding in new and unfamiliar contexts, and to use critical thinking, analysis and evaluation to draw reasoned conclusions in relation to ethical topics and questions.
• All exams will be taken at the end of the two-year course.

Enquiry research project (30%):

• This assessment will be set by the awarding body, marked by teachers, and moderated by the awarding body.

For more details on the purpose and aims, content and assessment arrangements of this qualification, please read the full design proposal.

We also have a Youth Friendly version for you to access.

For more information about our decision to create this new GCSE Religious Studies qualification, please read the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.