GCSE Religious Studies A

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AQA

GCSE Religious Studies A

GCSE Religious Studies explores profound questions about belief, morality, and the human experience, covering topics such as world religions, ethical dilemmas, philosophical ideas, and the impact of faith on society.

Course

Notes

Past Papers

Welcome to the GCSE Religious Studies A study guide for the AQA exam board! This study guide is structured to cover all of the topics in the AQA specification, providing you with all of the essential information you need for your GCSE examinations.

Modules

16

Lessons

234

Reviewed By

Anthony O'Dwyer

This course is currently closed

Course Content

Introduction to GCSE Religious Studies 1 Lesson Available on September 1, 2025 12:00 am

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Assessment Structure

Component 1: The Study of Religions: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices

1.1 Buddhism 15 Lessons

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The Concept of Dhamma (Dharma)

The Concept of Dependent Arising (Paticcasamuppada)

The Three Marks of Existence

The Human Personality in Theravada and Mahayana Traditions

The Buddha’s Life and Its Significance

The Four Noble Truths

The Nature, Use, and Importance of Buddhist Places of Worship

Puja and Devotional Ritual

Ceremonies and Rituals Associated with Death and Mourning

Festivals and Retreats

Ethical Teaching

The Five Moral Precepts

The Six Perfections

1.2 Christianity 15 Lessons

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The Nature of God

Different Christian Beliefs About Creation

Different Christian Beliefs About the Afterlife

The Incarnation and Jesus as the Son of God

The Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension

The Means of Salvation

The Role of Christ in Salvation

Different Forms of Worship and Their Significance

Prayer and Its Significance

The Role and Meaning of the Sacraments

The Role and Importance of Pilgrimage and Celebrations

The Role of the Church in the Local Community

The Place of Mission, Evangelism and Church Growth

The Importance of the Worldwide Church

1.3 Catholic Christianity 15 Lessons

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One God as a Trinity of Persons

Beliefs About Life After Death

The Meaning and Significance of ‘Sacrament’ and the Importance of the Sacramental Nature of Reality

The Names, Meanings and Effects of the Seven Sacraments

The Role and Importance of Forms of Popular Piety

The Role and Importance of Pilgrimage

The Funeral Rite and Its Significance

Catholic Beliefs About the Essential Duty to ‘Love Our Neighbour’

The Meaning and Significance of Mission and Evangelism

The Aims and Importance of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP)

The Aims and Importance of either the Corrymeela Community or Pax Christi

1.4 Hinduism 17 Lessons

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Different Understandings of the Three Features of the Divine

How the Divine Presents

Matter (Prakriti); The Three Qualities (Tri-Guna); Illusion (Maya); Cosmology (Rig Veda 10.129.6-7); The Cycle of Four Ages; Many Worlds and Their Diverse Inhabitants

The Concept of Atman

Cycle of Birth and Death: Samsara; Moral Action and Reaction: The Law of Karma; Types of Liberation: Moksha

Individual Free Will and Responses to Suffering; Knowledge and Ignorance

Personal Virtues

The Four Aims of Human Life

The Meaning of Dharma; Sanatana Dharma; Varnashrama Dharma

Places of Worship and Their Importance

Different Forms of Worship/Meditation and Their Significance; Key Differences in Worship in Shaivism and Vaishnavism and Different Hindu Views About the Importance of Worship

Focuses of Worship and Representations of the Divine and Their Importance

Sacred Festivals and Their Importance

The Four Paths Towards Yoga (Union With the Divine)

The Work and Significance of Hindu Environmental Projects and Charities

1.5 Islam 17 Lessons

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The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and Five Roots of Usul Ad-Din in Shi’a Islam

Tawhid (The Oneness of God)

The Nature of God

Angels, Their Nature and Role

Predestination and Human Freedom and Its Relationship to the Day of Judgement

Akhirah (Life After Death), Human Responsibility and Accountability, Resurrection, Heaven and Hell

Risalah (Prophethood)

The Imamate in Shi’a Islam

Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam

Shahadah: Declaration of Faith and Its Place in Muslim Practice

Salah (Prayer) and Its Significance

Sawm (Fasting) during the Month of Ramadan

Zakah: The Role and Significance of Giving Alms

Hajj: The Role and Significance of the Pilgrimage to Makkah

Jihad: Different Understandings and Significance

Festivals and Commemorations

1.6 Judaism 19 Lessons

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The Nature of God

The Divine Presence (Shekhinah)

Beliefs About Life After Death

The Nature and Role of the Messiah

The Promised Land and the Covenant with Abraham

The Covenant at Sinai

Key Moral Principles

The Importance of the Sanctity of Human Life

The Relationship Between Free Will and the 613 Mitzvot

Mitzvot Between Man and God and Mitzvot Between Man and Man

The Synagogue and Its Importance

The Design and Religious Features of Synagogues

Public Acts of Worship

Shabbat in the Home and Synagogue

Worship in the Home and Private Prayer

Tenakh (The Written Law) and Talmud (The Oral Law)

Rituals and Their Significance

Dietary Laws and their Significance

Festivals and their Importance

1.7 Sikhism 21 Lessons

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The Nature of God as Expressed in the Mool Mantra

The Nature of Human Life as an Opportunity to Unite With God

Beliefs in Karma and Rebirth, and the Aim of Mukti

The Five Stages of Liberation (Five Khands) And Barriers to Mukti

The Importance of Being Gurmukh (God-Centred) Rather Than Manmukh (Man-Centred) And the Elimination of Pride or Ego (Haumai)

Belief in the Oneness of Humanity and in the Equality of All

The Expression of the Equality of All

Sewa: The Importance and Priority of Service to Others

The Role and Importance of the Sangat (Religious Community)

Religious Features of the Gurdwara

The Role of the Gurdwara within the Sikh Community

The Role of Prayer in the Home in Sikhism (GGS 305:4)

The Role and Importance of the Akhand Path

The Meaning and Significance of Langar as an Expression of Sewa

The Significance of Meditating on the Name of God (Nam Japna)

Festivals and Their Importance

The Importance of Visiting Sikh Historical Gurdwaras

Birth and Naming Ceremonies

The Initiation Ceremony (Amrit Sanskar)

The Significance and Use of the Names Singh and Kaur

Component 2: Thematic Studies

2.1.1 Theme A: Relationships and Families 13 Lessons

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Human Sexuality

Sexual Relationships Before and Outside of Marriage

Contraception and Family Planning

The Nature and Purpose of Marriage

Same-Sex Marriage and Cohabitation

Divorce and Remarrying

Ethical Arguments Related to Divorce

The Nature of Families

The Purpose of Families

Contemporary Family Issues

The Roles of Men and Women

Gender Equality

Gender Prejudice and Discrimination

2.1.2 Theme B: Religion and Life 10 Lessons

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The Origins of the Universe

The Value of the World and the Duty of Human Beings to Protect It

The Use and Abuse of the Environment

The Use and Abuse of Animals

The Origins of Life

The Concepts of Sanctity of Life and the Quality of Life

Ethical Arguments Related to Abortion

Beliefs About Death and an Afterlife

2.1.3 Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation 10 Lessons

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The Design Argument

The First Cause Argument

The Argument from Miracles

Evil and Suffering as an Argument Against the Existence of God

Arguments Based on Science Against the Existence of God

Special Revelation as a Source of Knowledge About the Divine

Enlightenment as a Source of Knowledge About the Divine

General Revelation: Nature and Scripture as a Way of Understanding the Divine

Different Ideas About the Divine

The Value of General and Special Revelation and Enlightenment as Sources of Knowledge About the Divine

2.1.4 Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict 12 Lessons

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The Meaning and Significance of Peace, Justice, Forgiveness, Reconciliation

Reasons for War

The Just War Theory

Religion and Belief as a Cause of War and Violence in the Contemporary World

Nuclear Weapons

The Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Religion and Peace-Making in the Contemporary World

Religious Responses to the Victims of War

2.1.5 Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment 9 Lessons

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Good and Evil Intentions and Actions

Reasons for Crime

Views About People Who Break the Law for These Reasons

Views About Different Types of Crime

The Aims of Punishment

The Treatment of Criminals

The Death Penalty

Ethical Arguments Related to the Death Penalty

2.1.6 Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice 11 Lessons

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Prejudice and Discrimination in Religion and Belief

Issues of Equality, Freedom of Religion and Belief

Human Rights and the Responsibilities That Come With Rights

Racial Prejudice and Discrimination

Ethical Arguments Related to Racial Discrimination

The Responsibilities of Wealth

Exploitation of the Poor

The Responsibilities of Those Living in Poverty to Help Themselves Overcome the Difficulties They Face

2.2.1 Theme G: St Mark’s Gospel: The Life of Jesus 24 Lessons

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John’s Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry: 1:1-8

Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation: 1:9-13

The Paralysed Man: 2:1-12

Jairus’ Daughter: 5:21-24a, 35-43

The Rejection at Nazareth: 6:1-6

The Feeding of the Five Thousand: 6:30-44

The Conversation at Caesarea Philippi: 8:27-33

The Transfiguration of Jesus: 9:2-9

Jesus’ Passion Prediction: 10:32-34

The Request of James and John: 10:35-45

Bartimaeus: 10:46-52

The Entry into Jerusalem: 11:1-11

The Last Supper: 14:12-26

Jesus in Gethsemane: 14:32-52

The Trial before the Jewish Authorities: 14:53, 57-65

The Trial before Pilate: 15:1-15

The Crucifixion and Burial: 15:21-47

The Empty Tomb: 16:1-8

The Titles Son of Man, Son of God, Christ (Messiah) and Son of David

The Significance for 21st Century Christians of Jesus’ Understanding of the Titles Son of Man, Son of God, Christ (Messiah) And Son of David

St Mark’s Portrayal of Jesus as a Teacher and Miracle Worker

Differing Beliefs About the Meaning of Jesus’ Words and Actions at the Last Supper

Differing Beliefs About the Significance of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, and Different Explanations Given for the Empty Tomb

Differing Views on the Authority of St Mark ’s Gospel Relating to the Life of Jesus in Relation to the Challenges Posed by Secular Sources of Contemporary Authority

2.2.2 Theme H: St Mark’s Gospel as a Source of Religious, Moral and Spiritual Truths 25 Lessons

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Parable of the Sower: 4:1–9, 14–20

Parable of the Growing Seed: 4:26–29

Parable of the Mustard Seed: 4:30–32

Jesus and the Children: 10:13–16

The Rich Man: 10:17–27

The Greatest Commandment: 12:28–34

The Man with Leprosy: 1:40–45

The Call of Levi: 2:13–17

The Greek (Syro-Phoenician) Woman’s Daughter: 7:24–30

The Epileptic (Demon-Possessed) Boy: 9:14–29

The Widow at the Treasury: 12:41–44

The Anointing at Bethany: 14:1–9

The Call of the First Disciples: 1:16–20

The Woman with a Haemorrhage: 5:24b–34

The Mission of the Twelve: 6:7–13

The Cost and Rewards of Discipleship: 8:34–38; 10:28–31

Peter’s Denials: 14:27–31, 66–72

The Commission and Ascension: 16:14–20

The Significance and Importance of Key Events in the Life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Different Ways the Kingdom of God is Understood

Reasons for 1st Century Attitudes and Jesus’ Approach to the Disregarded

The Significance and Importance for Christians of Jesus’ Attitudes to Those Disregarded by the Society of His Day

Different Views on the Significance and Importance for Jesus’ Disciples and for 21st Century Christians of Discipleship

Different Views on the Nature and Importance of Faith

Differing Views on the Authority of Jesus’ Teaching

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Subjects > General Learning

GCSE Religious Studies

Study Guide

(AQA) GCSE Religious Studies A

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Introduction to GCSE Religious Studies

1.2 Christianity

1.3 Catholic Christianity

2.1.1 Theme A: Relationships and Families

2.1.2 Theme B: Religion and Life

2.1.3 Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation

2.1.4 Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict

2.1.5 Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment

2.1.6 Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice

2.2.1 Theme G: St Mark’s Gospel: The Life of Jesus

2.2.2 Theme H: St Mark’s Gospel as a Source of Religious, Moral and Spiritual Truths