Religious Studies Short Course

    AQA
    GCSE

    Specification: 8061

    The AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course specification covers 21 topics with 155 learning objectives (8061). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

    Starting AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course this term? The whole specification is below, unit by unit.

    This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

    21

    Topics

    155

    Objectives

    0

    Exam Tips

    0

    Pitfalls

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    Key Features

    • Master key concepts
    • Develop exam technique
    • Apply knowledge effectively

    About AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course

    The AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course offers a focused exploration of two major world religions, allowing you to study their beliefs, teachings, and practices in depth. You will examine how these religions shape individuals and communities, and you will also engage with philosophical and ethical themes that arise from religious perspectives. The course is designed to be concise yet comprehensive, making it ideal for students who want a qualification in Religious Studies without the workload of the full course.

    The specification is structured into two components: a study of two religions and a thematic study. You will explore the beliefs and practices of two religions from a choice of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Alongside this, you will investigate a religious, philosophical, and ethical theme, such as relationships and families, religion and life, or peace and conflict. This structure ensures you gain both depth and breadth in your understanding of religion and its relevance today.

    Assessment Structure

    The AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course is assessed through two written exams, each worth 50% of the final grade. Paper 1 focuses on the study of two religions, with each religion worth 25% of the total marks. Paper 2 assesses the thematic study, also worth 50%. Both papers are 1 hour and 45 minutes long and contain a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-writing questions. There is no coursework or controlled assessment. The qualification is graded on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest.

    Why Choose AQA?

    • AQA is the most popular exam board for GCSE Religious Studies, with a wide range of support materials and past papers available, making it easier to find revision resources.
    • The Short Course offers a flexible choice of religions and themes, allowing you to study topics that interest you most, while still covering core content in depth.
    • AQA's clear and straightforward question papers help students understand what is expected, and the mark schemes are transparent, aiding effective exam preparation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Specification Topics

    21 topics

    Subject content

    This specification covers the content laid down by the Department for Education (DfE) subject content for GCSE Religious Studies: short course., Students should consider different beliefs and attitudes to the issues studied, both religious and non-religious issues, in contemporary British society. They should be aware that the religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian, and that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse. They include the following: Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as other religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the subject content.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Section A: The study of religions: beliefs and teachings

    Buddhism., Christianity, Students should study two of the following: +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Christianity

    Students should be aware that Christianity is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content., Students should study the beliefs and teachings of Christianity specified below and their basis in Christian sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study in the content set out below and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers and AQA will publish a list of appropriate texts as part of the supporting material for this specification. These additional texts will not be required for study, alternatives may be used, and questions will not be set on them., Students should study the influence of the beliefs and teachings studied on individuals, communities and societies. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Christianity - 3.1.1.1 Key beliefs

    Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife and their importance, including: resurrection and life after death; judgement, heaven and hell., The nature of God:, Different Christian beliefs about creation including the role of Word and Spirit (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3). +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Jesus Christ and salvation

    the incarnation and Jesus as the Son of God, sin, including original sin, Beliefs and teachings about: +3 more

    6 objectives6 subtopics

    Islam

    Common and divergent views within Islam in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout. Students may refer to a range of different Muslim perspectives in their answers, including those from Sunni and Shi’a Islam. They must study the specific differences identified below., Students should be aware that Islam is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content., Students should study the influence of the beliefs and teachings studied on individuals, communities and societies. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Key beliefs

    The nature of God: omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice/Adalat in Shi’a Islam, including different ideas about God’s relationship with the world: immanence and transcendence., Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Qur'an Surah 112., Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il. +3 more

    6 objectives6 subtopics

    Authority

    the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, the Scrolls of Abraham and their authority., The imamate in Shi'a Islam: its role and significance., The holy books: +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Judaism - 3.1.3.1 Key beliefs

    The nature of God:, Beliefs about life after death, including judgement and resurrection., God as one +4 more

    7 objectives7 subtopics

    Judaism

    Students should study the influence of the beliefs and teachings studied on individuals, communities and societies., Students should be aware that Judaism is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content., Common and divergent views within Judaism in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout. Students may refer to a range of different Jewish perspectives in their answers, for example, Orthodox, Reform and Liberal Judaism. They must also study the differences identified below. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    The Covenant and the mitzvot

    The promised land and the Covenant with Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3., The importance of the sanctity of human life, including the concept of ‘saving a life’ (Pikuach Nefesh)., Key moral principles including justice, healing the world, charity and kindness to others. +3 more

    6 objectives6 subtopics

    Buddhism

    These additional texts will not be required for study, alternatives may be used, and questions will not be set on them., Students should study the influence of the beliefs, teachings and practices studied on individuals, communities and societies., Students should study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism specified below and their basis in Buddhist sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study in the content set out below and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers and AQA will publish a list of appropriate texts as part of the supporting material for this specification. +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Key Beliefs

    The Three Marks of Existence:, The concept of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)., The Dhamma (Dharma) +10 more

    13 objectives13 subtopics

    The Buddha and the Four Noble Truths

    morality, energy, the Buddha’s ascetic life +24 more

    27 objectives27 subtopics

    Section B: Thematic studies: religious, philosophical

    Students will be expected to show their understanding of religion through the application of teachings from religion and beliefs. They will also be expected to make specific references to sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts. They may refer to any relevant religious text such as the Pali Canon, the sermons of the Buddha, the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Vedas and Upanishads, the Qur’an and Hadith, the Torah and Talmud, and the Guru Granth Sahib., the religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse., Students should study religious and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism, in contemporary British society about the issues raised. +7 more

    10 objectives10 subtopics

    Theme A: Relationships and families

    They must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and a contrasting belilef:, Same sex relationships., Sexual relationships before marriage. +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Sex, marriage and divorce

    Human sexuality including: heterosexual and same sex relationships., The nature and purpose of marriage., Divorce, including reasons for divorce, and remarrying. +4 more

    7 objectives7 subtopics

    Families and gender equality

    polygamy., the role of parents and children, The roles of men and women. +10 more

    13 objectives13 subtopics

    Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict

    Students should study religious teachings, and religious, philosophical and ethical arguments, relating to the issues that follow, and their impact and influence in the modern world. They should be aware of contrasting perspectives in contemporary British society on all of these issues., Violence., On the following three issues they must be able to explain a belief from the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and a contrasting belief: +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

    Religion, violence, terrorism and war

    forgiveness, justice, Pacifism. +8 more

    11 objectives11 subtopics

    Religion and belief in 21st century conflict

    Religious responses to the victims of war including the work of one present day religious organisation., The use of weapons of mass destruction., Religion and peace-making in the contemporary world including the work of individuals influenced by religious teaching. +2 more

    5 objectives5 subtopics

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