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Marketing Title
06/09/2021
Format
24/06/2023
Format
Level 3
Full-Time
ALRLS (2021/2023)
Nelson and Colne College - Nelson and Colne College, Scotland Road, Nelson, BB9 7YT
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Course Information

Course Information
Challenge ideas and explore the big questions with A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religion!

You’ll debate morality, existence, and belief, sharpening your critical thinking and communication skills along the way.

This course is ideal for students who want to develop the ability to analyse, reason and form persuasive arguments — skills valued in law, politics, journalism, and beyond.

If you love deep conversations and thinking about life’s biggest issues, this is for you.
Are you fascinated by life’s biggest questions—about reality, morality, and how beliefs shape the world around us? A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religion gives you the opportunity to explore some of the most thought-provoking ideas ever discussed, guided by experienced and passionate tutors who will encourage you to think deeply and independently.

In the Philosophy of Religion, you’ll study topics such as the nature and role of religious experiences, and explore how scholars throughout history have approached the challenges of understanding faith, meaning, and belief. You’ll also look at the ways language is used by philosophers and theologians to express complex ideas.

The Ethics strand encourages you to consider how we make moral decisions. You’ll explore major ethical theories—such as Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, and Natural Law—and then apply them to real-world issues including human rights, medical ethics, and business practices. This will give you the tools to debate challenging questions respectfully and thoughtfully.

In the Study of Religion component, you’ll focus on one world faith, such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Judaism. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of its sacred texts, moral teachings, traditions, and the ways in which religion shapes individual lives and wider communities.

If you enjoy debating, analysing, and exploring ideas that have shaped human thought for centuries, this course offers you the chance to develop your critical thinking skills while exploring the values and beliefs that influence people and societies across the world.
A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religion is delivered through a mix of classroom teaching, group debate, and independent study, encouraging you to question ideas, analyse texts, and develop clear, reasoned arguments on big moral, philosophical, and religious issues.
3 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade 4 and 2 at Grade 5, which must include English Language and Maths at Grade 4.
A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religion is assessed entirely through three written exams, each lasting 2 hours and taken at the end of the two-year course. Each paper is worth 33.3% of the final grade. One exam focuses on the study of religion, exploring beliefs, teachings, and practices. Another covers philosophy of religion, including arguments for God’s existence, evil and suffering, and religious experience. The third exam examines ethics, exploring ethical theories and their application to contemporary issues. Assessments include a mix of structured questions and extended essays, testing your ability to analyse, evaluate, and construct clear arguments.
A Level Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion sharpens your critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, and cultural awareness—skills valued in many careers. It opens pathways into law, teaching, journalism, media, counselling, social work, public policy, marketing, and charity roles. You could also explore careers in cultural heritage, human resources, publishing, youth work, or the public sector. Universities highlight its relevance for roles in think tanks, finance, and beyond.
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