Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A
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Course overview
The PEARSON-EDEXCEL GCSE Religious Studies A specification covers 37 topics with 290 learning objectives (1RA0). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 37 topics
- 290 learning objectives
Course 1RA0
- 37
- topics
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Your exams
- Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Study of ReligionThursday, 13 May 2027, AM
- Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Study of Second ReligionFriday, 21 May 2027, AM
- Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Philosophy and EthicsMonday, 7 June 2027, AM
- Paper 4: Area of Study 4 – Textual StudiesMonday, 7 June 2027, AM
Always confirm dates and times with your exam centre.
Explore your topics
37 topics
Assessment Objectives1 topic
Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Study of Religion12 topics
- Area of Study 1A: Catholic Christianity - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed; the nature and significance of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1A: Catholic Christianity - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 The sacramental nature of reality: Catholic teachings about how the whole of creation manifests the presence of God; the…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1A: Catholic Christianity - Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority8 specification points covering 3.1 The development and structure of the Bible as the revealed Word of God: the origins and different literary forms of the…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1A: Catholic Christianity - Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life8 specification points covering 4.1 The common and divergent forms of architecture, design and decoration of Catholic churches: how they reflect belief, are…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1B: Christianity - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed; the nature and significance of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1B: Christianity - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship, including activities which are informal and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1B: Christianity - Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority8 specification points covering 3.1 The development and structure of the Bible and its unity as the Word of God: Old Testament: law, history, prophets,…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1B: Christianity - Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life8 specification points covering 4.1 The meaning and significance of paintings and drawings within Christianity with reference to two specific pieces and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1C: Islam - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Six Beliefs of Islam: their nature, history and purpose, including Kitab al-iman 1:4; how they are understood and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1C: Islam - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam: their nature, history and purpose of the Ten Obligatory Acts; the diversity of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1C: Islam - Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority8 specification points covering 3.1 The Qur’an: the revelation and compilation of the Qur’an, including Surah 53:4–18; its significance and authority within…8 objectives
- Area of Study 1C: Islam - Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life8 specification points covering 4.1 Muslim identity: divergent ways in which Muslim identity is expressed through the ummah in the ceremonies to welcome a…8 objectives
Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Study of Second Religion14 topics
- Area of Study 2A: Catholic Christianity - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed; the nature and significance of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2A: Catholic Christianity - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 The sacramental nature of reality: Catholic teachings about how the whole of creation manifests the presence of God; the…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2B: Christianity - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed; the nature and significance of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2B: Christianity - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship, including activities which are informal and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2C: Islam - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The Six Beliefs of Islam: their nature, history and purpose, including Kitab al-iman 1:4; how they are understood and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2C: Islam - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam: their nature, history and purpose of the Ten Obligatory Acts; the diversity of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2D: Buddhism - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The life of the Buddha: the nature and history of the events in the life of the Buddha and why they are important to…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2D: Buddhism - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 Meditation: the nature, purpose and significance of meditation in Buddhism; the different types of meditation: samatha…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2E: Hinduism - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The nature of Brahman: the nature of Brahman as spirit, ultimate reality or absolute truth; how the characteristics of…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2E: Hinduism - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 The nature and purpose of Hindu yoga: the nature and purpose of different forms of yoga: karma yoga (action), jnana yoga…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2F: Judaism - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings8 specification points covering 1.1 The nature of the Almighty: how the characteristics of the Almighty are shown in the Torah, and why they are important…8 objectives
- Area of Study 2F: Judaism - Section 2: Practices8 specification points covering 2.1 The nature and purpose of Jewish public acts of worship: the nature, features and purpose of Jewish public worship,…8 objectives
12 of 14 shown
Paper 3/4: Philosophy & Ethics or Textual Studies10 topics
- Area of Study 3A: Catholic Christianity - Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of God8 specification points covering 1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of God: the significance of Jesus Christ as the culmination of God’s revelation;…8 objectives
- Area of Study 3A: Catholic Christianity - Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st Century8 specification points covering 2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage for Catholics: the significance of marriage in Catholic life; Catholic teachings…8 objectives
- Area of Study 3B: Christianity - Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of God8 specification points covering 1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of God; revelation as shown in the Bible, including in the covenants with Noah and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 3B: Christianity - Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st Century8 specification points covering 2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage for Christians: Christian teachings about the significance of marriage in…8 objectives
- Area of Study 3C: Islam - Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of Allah8 specification points covering 1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of Allah; the Qur’an as revelation; revelation as shown in the Qur’an as direct (…8 objectives
- Area of Study 3C: Islam - Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st Century8 specification points covering 2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage in Islam: the significance of marriage in Muslim life; Muslim teachings about…8 objectives
- Area of Study 4A: Mark’s Gospel - Section 1: Who is Jesus?8 specification points covering 1.1 The Messiah and the Son of Man: the expectations of the Messiah at the time of Jesus based on the Old Testament; (Isaiah…8 objectives
- Area of Study 4A: Mark’s Gospel - Section 2: The Nature of Discipleship8 specification points covering 2.1 The call of the first disciples (Mark 1:14–20, 2:13–17): how this shows the nature of discipleship in showing the…8 objectives
- Area of Study 4B: The Qur’an - Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings of Islam8 specification points covering 1.1 The importance of Allah in Surah al-Fatiha (1): the way Allah is described; the importance of submission to his will and…8 objectives
- Area of Study 4B: The Qur’an - Section 2: Lives of the Prophets and Others8 specification points covering 2.1 The Prophet Nuh: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an, including Surah 71; his importance as one of the…8 objectives
About this course
About Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A offers a dynamic and engaging exploration of the beliefs, teachings, and practices of major world religions, alongside contemporary ethical and philosophical issues. Students will study two religions in depth, chosen from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, or Sikhism, and will also examine a range of thematic studies that connect these beliefs to real-world debates such as crime and punishment, peace and conflict, and relationships and families. The course encourages critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to construct well-reasoned arguments, making it an excellent foundation for further study in humanities and social sciences.
The specification is structured into three areas of study: the study of a first religion, the study of a second religion, and a philosophical and ethical studies component. Each area is examined through a separate paper, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in a focused way. The course is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with clear content and assessment objectives that help students develop their analytical and evaluative skills. It is a popular choice for students who enjoy discussing big questions and want to understand the role of religion in today's world.
Assessment Structure
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A is assessed through three externally examined written papers, each worth 33.3% of the final grade. Paper 1 (Religion and Ethics) focuses on the first religion studied, Paper 2 (Religion and Ethics) covers the second religion, and Paper 3 (Philosophy and Ethics) examines philosophical and ethical themes. All papers are 1 hour and 45 minutes long and contain a mix of short-answer, extended-writing, and source-based questions. There is no coursework or controlled assessment. The total marks available across the three papers is 252 (84 marks per paper).
Why Choose Pearson Edexcel?
- Pearson Edexcel offers a clear and consistent assessment structure with three equally weighted papers, making it straightforward for students to plan their revision and understand exactly what is expected in each exam.
- The specification includes a wide range of religion options, allowing students to study two faiths that interest them most, and the thematic approach helps connect beliefs to contemporary issues, which many students find more engaging and relevant.
- Edexcel provides excellent support materials, including detailed textbooks, revision guides, and online resources, which are specifically tailored to the specification and help students prepare effectively for the exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers are there in Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A and what do they cover?
There are three papers: Paper 1 covers the first religion you study (beliefs, teachings, and practices), Paper 2 covers the second religion (again beliefs, teachings, and practices), and Paper 3 covers philosophy and ethics, including themes such as relationships, life, God, peace and conflict, and crime and punishment. Each paper is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and is worth 33.3% of your final grade. The papers are taken at the end of the course in the summer exam series.
Do I need to be religious to take GCSE Religious Studies A?
No, you do not need to be religious. The course is designed to be academic and objective, exploring different beliefs and perspectives, including non-religious views such as atheism and humanism. You will learn about religions and ethical issues, but you are not expected to adopt any particular faith. Many students take the subject because they are interested in philosophy, ethics, and understanding the world around them.
What is the difference between Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A and B?
Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A focuses on the study of two religions in depth plus philosophical and ethical themes, while Religious Studies B is a different specification that also covers two religions but with a different thematic approach. The A specification is more traditional and is often chosen by schools that want a clear structure with separate papers for each religion and for philosophy and ethics. You should check with your school which specification they follow, as the content and exams differ.
How is Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A graded and what grades are available?
The qualification is graded on a scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade. There is no foundation tier; all students take the same papers and can achieve any grade from 9 to 1. The grade boundaries are set each year based on the difficulty of the papers. You will receive a single overall grade based on your performance across all three papers.
What can I do after GCSE Religious Studies A?
GCSE Religious Studies A develops valuable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to construct balanced arguments, which are useful in many A-level subjects like Philosophy, Ethics, Sociology, History, and English Literature. It can lead to careers in law, teaching, journalism, social work, and many other fields. Many students continue with Religious Studies, Philosophy, or Ethics at A-level, and some go on to study related degrees at university.
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
A*/Grade 9
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
Pearson Edexcel
State
1 mark
Give a single fact or term
Identify
1 mark
Name, select, or recognise
Outline
2 marks
Set out main features briefly
Describe
2-4 marks
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Explain
3-6 marks
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
Compare
2-4 marks
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Analyse
6-9 marks
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Evaluate
6-12 marks
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Assess
6-12 marks
Make judgments about importance with justification
Calculate
2-4 marks
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
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