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Subject · Religious Studies

Religious Studies tutoring explained

GCSE Religious Studies is one of the highest-volume GCSEs. A-level Religious Studies leans towards philosophy and ethics — engaging with Plato through to modern philosophers of religion. Strong students master argument structure and named-philosopher citation.

Bird perched on a sage branch above religious symbols and a book of scripture

Quick reference

Levels
GCSE Religious Studies (very high volume) · A-level Religious Studies (philosophy / ethics-leaning)
Largest GCSE board
AQA — followed by OCR (philosophy-leaning) and Edexcel
GCSE structure
Two religions studied in depth (typically Christianity + one other) plus thematic ethical questions
A-level structure
Philosophy of Religion · Religion and Ethics · Developments in Religious Thought (Christianity / Islam / etc)
Style
Argument-driven; rewards engagement with philosophical and ethical reasoning
Common tutoring need
Argument structure · evaluation depth · named-philosopher recall · 12-mark essay technique

The Religious Studies ladder

GCSE Religious Studies

AQA's Specification A (most common) studies two religions in depth — typically Christianity plus one of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism. Topics include: beliefs and teachings (the nature of God, key practices, sources of authority), and thematic ethical questions (relationships and families, religion and life, religion peace and conflict, religion crime and punishment, religion human rights and social justice).

Two papers, both essay-format with 12-mark evaluative questions as the highest-mark items. Students need to present religious teachings accurately, apply them to ethical questions, and engage with non-religious viewpoints.

A-level Religious Studies

Three papers covering:

  • Philosophy of Religion — arguments for the existence of God (ontological, cosmological, teleological, moral), the problem of evil, religious experience, religious language (verification / falsification debates), the mind-body problem, life after death.
  • Religion and Ethics — normative ethical theories (utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, natural law, virtue ethics, situation ethics, meta-ethics — naturalism, intuitionism, emotivism), applied to ethical issues (sexual ethics, business ethics, euthanasia, war, conscience).
  • Developments in [Religion] Thought — in-depth study of one tradition, typically Christianity for most schools. Covers theological developments, historical thinkers (Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Bonhoeffer), modern thinkers (liberation theology, feminist theology, postmodern theology), and contemporary questions.

What tutoring focuses on

Argument structure

Religious Studies essays are argumentative. Strong essays follow: clear thesis, structured paragraphs each presenting and evaluating a position, considered counter- arguments, substantiated conclusion. Tutors coach explicit essay frameworks; many students drift into descriptive content without sustained argumentative structure.

Named-philosopher and named-thinker recall

Mark schemes reward specific citation. Plato's analogy of the cave for theory of forms; Aristotle on virtue ethics; Aquinas on natural law and the Five Ways; Hume on miracles and the problem of evil; Kant on the categorical imperative; Mill on utilitarianism's higher and lower pleasures; Wittgenstein on religious language; Hick on John Hick's theodicy. Tutors build systematic recall practice.

12-mark and 15-mark evaluation

Evaluation depth is the differentiator at top grades. Tutors drill: present strongest form of each position before critiquing, consider implications, weigh factors, integrate named thinkers, reach nuanced conclusion. The mark scheme reliably rewards explicit evaluation.

Cross-perspective integration

Strong A-level Religious Studies essays integrate philosophy, ethics, and theology fluently — using Aquinas's natural law in an ethics question, applying Hume's critique of miracles in a religious experience question. Tutors coach this synoptic cross-application.

Choosing a Religious Studies tutor

  • Confirm the board — AQA, OCR (slightly more philosophy-leaning), Edexcel, WJEC Eduqas. Specifications differ in topic emphasis.
  • Confirm religion choices at GCSE — the second religion (Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism) varies between schools.
  • Confirm developments-in-thought tradition at A-level — usually Christianity, but can be Islam or another tradition.
  • For students taking RS for university (Theology, Philosophy, Law, PPE), tutors with philosophy or theology degree backgrounds add value beyond exam coaching.
  • Argument-led pedagogy — strong tutors lead with argument structure, not content recall.

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Common questions

  • Who studies Religious Studies and why? +

    Many students take it as a compulsory subject — Religious Studies is statutory in many faith schools and a popular option elsewhere. It's particularly chosen by students who enjoy structured argument, ethical debate, and philosophical reasoning. The skills (constructing arguments, evaluating opposing positions, citing thinkers, reaching nuanced conclusions) transfer strongly into Law, PPE, Theology, English Literature, History at university level.

  • What's the difference between Religious Studies and Religious Education? +

    Religious Education is the broader curriculum subject taught from primary onwards (often as part of the statutory curriculum); Religious Studies is the GCSE / A-level qualification. The GCSE rigorously studies two religions in depth (typically Christianity plus one of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism) alongside thematic ethical questions. A-level moves into philosophy of religion, religious ethics, and theological development.

  • How does A-level Religious Studies work? +

    Three papers across most boards: Philosophy of Religion (arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, religious experience, religious language, mind-body problem); Religion and Ethics (normative ethical theories — utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, natural law, virtue ethics, situation ethics — applied to ethical issues like sexual ethics, business ethics, euthanasia); and Developments in Religious Thought (in-depth study of one religious tradition — typically Christianity for most schools).

  • Why are named philosophers so important? +

    Mark schemes reward citation of specific thinkers — Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hume, Kant, Mill, Bentham, Wittgenstein, Russell, Augustine, Anselm, Descartes, Leibniz, Hick, Plantinga. Strong essays cite named philosophers with their key arguments and counter-arguments. Generic references to 'some philosophers say...' consistently underperform. Tutors drill systematic philosopher-and-argument recall — who said what, when, why, and how others responded.

  • How does evaluation work in 12-mark and 15-mark questions? +

    Evaluation is the differentiator at top grades. Mark schemes reward essays that present multiple positions, develop arguments and counter-arguments, weigh evidence, and reach a substantiated conclusion (rather than concluding with 'I think'). Tutors coach explicit evaluation frameworks: presenting strongest version of each position before critiquing, considering implications, weighing factors, reaching nuanced conclusions.

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Last reviewed: 2026-04-29