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CCEA A-Level Religious Studies: complete guide to the four areas of study, the AS and A2 units and how to study each module

A complete guide to CCEA A-Level Religious Studies (specification 2016). Covers the four areas of study, the option-based AS and A2 units, the popular Ethics and Philosophy of Religion routes and the New Testament and Early Church units, how the AS and A2 exams are structured, and how to study each module for top grades.

Browse guides →Syllabus dot points (27)

CCEA A-Level Religious Studies (specification first taught 2016) is a two-year, option-based course split into AS and A2, set and marked by CCEA in Northern Ireland. It offers an academic study of religion, ethics and philosophy across four areas of study. This page is the index: below is a map of the areas and units, the skills the course tests, the assessment structure, and how to study each module.

The four areas of study

The qualification is built around four areas of study. At AS, students take two units from different areas; at A2 they take a further two. Students must not choose two units from the same area of study.

Textual Studies: The study of biblical texts: for example An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and themes in the Old Testament, with their A2 counterparts (the Synoptic Gospels, the letters of St Paul).
Systematic Study of One Religion: The study of a religion in depth: for example The Origins and Development of the Early Christian Church to AD 325, the Celtic Church, or Islam.
Religion and Ethics: Ethical theory and its application: Foundations of Ethics (with medical ethics) at AS, and Global Ethics at A2.
Philosophy of Religion: The philosophical study of religious belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion at AS, and Themes in the Philosophy of Religion at A2.

The units in this guide

This guide covers the most widely taught units across all four areas, at both AS and A2.

AS 1: An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke (Textual Studies) - the background and infancy narratives, the identity of Jesus, discipleship and the poor, parables and miracles, and the passion and resurrection.
AS 4: The Early Christian Church to AD 325 (Systematic Study) - Pentecost, the spread of the gospel, persecution and martyrdom, the Council of Jerusalem, and the road to Nicaea.
AS 7: Foundations of Ethics (Religion and Ethics) - Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, Utilitarianism, religion and morality, and medical ethics.
AS 8: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Philosophy of Religion) - the design and cosmological arguments, the problem of evil, and religious experience.
A2 7: Global Ethics (Religion and Ethics) - war and peace, environmental ethics, world poverty, and human rights.
A2 8: Themes in the Philosophy of Religion (Philosophy of Religion) - the ontological argument, religious language, miracles, and life after death.

The skills the course tests

Two assessment objectives run across the AS and A2 units and separate average answers from top grades.

AO1 (knowledge and understanding). Explain beliefs, theories, texts and thinkers accurately, clearly and with the right terms.
AO2 (analysis and evaluation). Assess a claim, weigh arguments on both sides, and reach a substantiated judgement.

Assessment structure

CCEA A-Level Religious Studies is split between AS (40 percent) and A2 (60 percent), with each unit assessed by a written examination on the chosen option.

AS units are taken at the end of the first year, two units from different areas of study.
A2 units are taken at the end of the second year, more demanding and synoptic.
Every unit tests both AO1 and AO2, with A2 questions worth more marks.

How to study CCEA Religious Studies

The subject rewards precise knowledge, balanced judgement and disciplined exam technique.

Work unit by unit. Learn the content and structure of each chosen unit thoroughly.
Learn theories and arguments as structures. For ethics and philosophy, set out each theory or argument and its key thinkers and criticisms.
Read the texts closely. For the textual and Church units, learn key passages, events and terms.
Evaluate, do not just describe. For AO2, argue both sides and reach a substantiated judgement.
Practise with CCEA past papers. The AO1 and AO2 split and the question style are board-specific.

The modules, dot point by dot point

Each unit has a specification-level overview with worked questions and cross-links, plus dot-point pages and a quiz. Browse the full set at /ccea-a-level/religious-studies/syllabus.

For the official specification

CCEA publishes the full specification, past papers and mark schemes at ccea.org.uk. Always revise from the current CCEA specification and CCEA's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.

Religious Studies guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Religious Studies practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The CCEA-A-LEVEL system, explained

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Common questions about Religious Studies

How is CCEA A-Level Religious Studies structured?

CCEA A-Level Religious Studies is a two-year course split into AS and A2, and it is option-based. There are four areas of study: Textual Studies, the Systematic Study of One Religion, Religion and Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion. At AS, students choose two units from different areas; at A2 they study a further two units. The AS counts for 40 percent of the full A-Level and the A2 for 60 percent. Students must not choose two units from the same area of study.

What are the four areas of study in CCEA Religious Studies?

The four areas are Textual Studies (the Gospels, Acts and the Old Testament, for example An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke), the Systematic Study of One Religion (such as The Origins and Development of the Early Christian Church, the Celtic Church, or Islam), Religion and Ethics (Foundations of Ethics at AS and Global Ethics at A2), and Philosophy of Religion (An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion at AS and Themes in the Philosophy of Religion at A2).

What are the most popular CCEA Religious Studies routes?

Many students pair Religion and Ethics with Philosophy of Religion, taking Foundations of Ethics and An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion at AS, then Global Ethics and Themes in the Philosophy of Religion at A2. The Textual Studies units, such as An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, and the Systematic units, such as The Early Christian Church to AD 325, are also widely taught, often by Christian schools.

What skills does CCEA A-Level Religious Studies test?

Two assessment objectives run through the course. AO1 is knowledge and understanding: explaining beliefs, theories, texts and thinkers accurately and clearly. AO2 is analysis and evaluation: assessing claims, weighing arguments on both sides and reaching a substantiated judgement. The A2 units are more demanding and synoptic than AS, expecting confident handling of difficult material and sustained argument.

How are the CCEA Religious Studies exams assessed?

Each unit is assessed by a written examination on the chosen option. AS units are taken at the end of the first year and A2 units at the end of the second, with the AS worth 40 percent and the A2 worth 60 percent of the full A-Level. Questions test both AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (analysis and evaluation), with A2 questions worth more marks and rewarding sustained, synoptic argument.

How should I revise CCEA A-Level Religious Studies?

Work unit by unit. For ethics and philosophy, learn each theory or argument as a clear structure with its key thinkers and criticisms, and practise applying and evaluating it. For the textual and Church units, read the set material closely and learn key passages, events and terms. For every unit, rehearse balanced AO2 evaluations that reach a judgement. Revise from the current CCEA specification, past papers and mark schemes, because question style is board-specific.