A Level Religious Studies (Fast Track) Course

This A Level course offers an academic approach to the study of religion and is accessible to candidates of any religious persuasion or none. This A Level Religious Studies course encourages students to develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, a rigorous study of religion and its relation to the wider world. Treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to a specialist study of religion. Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion and Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their learning.

Enrol today by calling us on 0121 2880181.

AS Level
Unit G: New Testament (RSS07)

How the synoptic gospels came into being
Oral Tradition
Reasons for the synoptic gospels being committed to writing
The relationship between the three synoptic gospels; the priority of Mark
Reasons for writers editing material as they wrote the synoptic gospels
Reasons for translating the original Greek synoptic texts

Aspects of Jesus’ teaching and action, parables and healings
The role and the purpose of parables and healings as recorded in the synoptic gospels
Scholars’ views of the theology and the teaching found in parables and healings

The arrest, trial and death of Jesus
Scholars’ views of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts

The main similarities and differences between the three accounts:
Matthew 2636–2761
• Mark 1432–1547
• Luke 2240–2356

The resurrection of Jesus
Scholars’ views of the theological message and the teaching about the person of Jesus provided by the writers in these accounts

The main similarities and differences between the three accounts:
• Matthew 2762–2820
• Mark 161–20 (noting the variant readings of the text)
• Luke 24

Unit J World Religions 1: Buddhism or Hinduism or Sikhism (RSS09)

Buddhism

Samsara and the three marks of existence
The concept of samsara – the cycle of death and rebirth
The concepts of dukkha, anatta and anicca
The implications of these ideas for the Buddhist way of life and attitude to life

The Four Noble Truths
The framework of the Four Noble Truths – the illness, the cause of the illness, the truth that there is an end to the illness, and the prescription

Tanha – the different types of craving and how they lead to suffering: craving for sense pleasures, craving to be rid of something and craving for re-becoming; the root of tanha in ignorance and the pointlessness of trying to fulfil tanha in samsara

Nibbana – the truth of the end of craving and the end of dukkha arising from it; contrasts between samsara and nibbana; the experience of the arahant in this world and beyond death

The implications of these ideas for the Buddhist way of life and attitude to life

The Four Noble Truths
The framework of the Four Noble Truths – the illness, the cause of the illness, the truth that there is an end to the illness, and the prescription

Tanha – the different types of craving and how they lead to suffering: craving for sense pleasures, craving to be rid of something and craving for re-becoming; the root of tanha in ignorance and the pointlessness of trying to fulfil tanha in samsara

Nibbana – the truth of the end of craving and the end of dukkha arising from it; contrasts between samsara and nibbana; the experience of the arahant in this world and beyond death

The implications of these ideas for the Buddhist way of life and attitude to life

The Eightfold Path
The nature and purpose of the Eightfold Path

In the context of the Eightfold Path:
The nature of wisdom and its importance – right understanding and right thought

The nature of morality and its importance – right speech, right action and right livelihood

The nature of meditation and its importance – right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration

The relationship between wisdom, morality and meditation, and the ways in which they contribute to the path to enlightenment

The Sangha
The Sangha as refuge

The monastic community – its nature and discipline

The lay community – its life and discipline

The relationship between the monastic and lay community, and the relative importance of each as a path to enlightenment

A2 LEVEL
Unit 3E: New Testament (RST3E)

The context of John’s Gospel
• The relationship between John and the synoptic gospels
• The Christian context, the Early Church
• The Greek and Jewish context from which John draws

The nature, role and purpose of the discourses in John’s Gospel
• ‘I am the Bread of Life’, John 630–58
• ‘I am the Light of the World’, John 812–19 and 91–41
• ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’, John 111–44
• ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life’, John 141–7
• ‘I am the True Vine’, John 151–17

The nature, role and purpose of signs in John’s Gospel
• Water to Wine, John 21–11
• Healing of the Officer’s Son, John 446–54
• The Crippled Man, John 51–18
• The Feeding of the Five Thousand, John 61–15

The nature, role and purpose of the passion and resurrection narratives
• John 18–19 Passion narrative
• John 20–21 Resurrection narrative

Unit 3E: New Testament (RST4C)
TOPIC II – Ways of Moral Decision-Making

Medical research and medical developments
• The use of embryos, human cells, medical trials on humans
• The use of animals for medical research
• Brain death, life support systems

Business practice and economics
• Moral management of national economies (macro)
• The moral management of individual companies (micro)
• developed economies vs. the third world
• Approaches to emerging economies, including China and India

Basic English reading and writing skills are required.

AQA A Level Religious Studies

Course materials are provided in paper format and delivered direct to your door within 7 days of enrolment.

Recommended Reading

The Bible: Revised Standard Version

The New Testament: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History, 3rd Ed. (Duling
& Perrin) Harcourt Brace Publishers, 1994

Buddhist Scriptures: Edward Conze- Penguin Classics (1959)
 

Unit 1 and Unit 2 – Introduction to Religious Studies
Each unit:
• 50% of AS Level
• 25% of A2 Level
• Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes
• 90 marks
Students study any two units from a choice of eleven available. In each unit, students answer two essay questions from a choice of four.

Unit 3: Studies in Religion
• 25% of A Level
• Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 100 marks
Students study one unit from a choice of eight available. Two structured essay questions from a choice of four.

Unit 4: Religion and Human Experience
• 25 % of total A Level
• Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Students study one topic from one unit from a choice of three available. One extended essay.

Past Papers

Visit AQA website and download past sample exam papers click here

Exam Format
A Level Religious Studies consists of 4 units in total:
AS Level = 2 units
A2 Level = 2 units

AS Level
Unit 1 and Unit 2 – Introduction to Religious Studies
Written Examination each unit: 1 hour 15 minutes

A2 Level
Unit 3: Studies in Religion
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 4: Religion and Human Experience
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

The college provides expertise support and advice for students in their studies through their comprehensive course packs and tutoring system. However, we do stress that it is the student’s responsibility to find a centre to register and take their exams with. We are aware that sometimes this is difficult or even impossible to arrange. Now we have come to an arrangement with centres in Birmingham, Bristol and Harrogate so please contact them directly for fees and a timetable. We realise this may still involve a good deal of travelling for some students but the long-term benefits of being able to gain A Levels far outweigh the short-term expense and inconvenience.

Recommended Centres

English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd.
40 Showell Green lane
Sparkhill
Birmingham,
B11 4JP
England
United Kingdom

Tel: 0121-771-1298

info@englishandmaths.com

http://www.englishandmaths.com/Index.php

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3A Tutors Ltd
1A High Street
Staple Hill
Bristol
BS16 5HA

Tel: 0117 9109931

Email: enquiries@3at.org.uk

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Harrogate Tutorial College
2 The Oval
Harrogate
HG2 9BA

Telephone +44(0)1423 501041

E-Mail study@htcuk.org

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Campbell Harris Tutors Ltd
185 Kensington High Street
London
W8 6SH
Telephone 020 7937 0032

Email principal@campbellharris.co.uk

Web Site http://campbellharris.co.uk/Content.asp?ID=18

Please visit AQA for exam information.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre. From 2014 exams will be taken in June of each year. 2013 provides the final opportunity to take exams in January. There is no flexibilty to take exams at any other time.

Q: When can I enrol?

The beauty of distance learning means that students can enrol at anytime they wish 365 days of the year. Enrolments and payment can be made online or by calling our office on 0121 2880181.

Q: How soon after enrolment can I start studying?

Students would normally receive course materials within 7 days of enrolment

Q: Is this course accredited?

Yes! This course prepares students for the AQA A Level examinations.

Q: Is there any funding available towards the course fees?

UK Open College is a privately run college therefore we do not have access to funding

Q: Do you offer any discounts for the unemployed or low income households?

Unfortunately discounts are not available

Q: Can I pay monthly for my course?

Yes! We do offer payment plans for this course to students resident in the UK only. See fees page for further details.

Q: How do I know whether this is the right course for me?

In truth we cannot be sure if this course or indeed home learning will meet every students needs. To help we have a money back guarantee scheme in place which allows students to receive and try the course materials for seven days to establish whether this course is the ideal course for them. If it's not simply notify us via email or telephone within the seven day period for a full refund. Please be aware this is a strict seven day scheme and no refunds are processed once this period has expired.

Q: Is this course available to International students?

Yes ! We currently have students all over the world studying with the college.

Q: Are there any deadlines for course assignments?

No! You can submit course assignments at your own pace. The only deadline is for completion of the whole course which requires students to finish within one year of registration.

Q: What if I have questions relating to my course or have problems understanding some of the questions?

No problem! All students have access to a personal tutor for the duration of their course with whom they may correspond with. You are not on your own when you study with us! We really do want you to pass your course!

Q: Will I have to purchase any additional books or materials?

It will state clearly in the course detail if additional books are required. These are not included in the course fees. Students are required to purchase these independantly. They are not provided by the college

If you require any further information on this course then please call our administration team on 0121 288 0181 and we will be happy to help you as much as we can. Alternatively complete the information request form below and one of our friendly advisors will contact you.

Course Fee: Starting at: £369.00

Student can choose to pay their course fees in full upon enrolment (£369.00) or take out a pay as you study plan as follows.

Enrolment Fee	£169.00
5 x Monthly payments	£50.00
Total Fees Payable	£419.00
Pay in full and Save	£50.00

Call our office on 0121 2880181 for guaranteed acceptance onto our pay as you study plan* (Applies to UK Students only)

MOD Personnel can claim a 10% Reduction on fees when paying in full by quoting BFPO10 when contacting us. Proof will be required.

Exam fees not included. Any exam fees are payable direct to examination centre. You are advised to contact a centre as listed here prior to enrolment to confirm exam fees and availibilty. Click here for List

This course is provided in partnership with UKDLP (UK Distance Learning and Publishing)

If you prefer to pay via cheque please print off enrolment form PDF below and post to our head office.