specification overview
OCR A-Level Religious Studies (H573) is a two-year linear qualification with three written papers, each worth 33.3%. Components 01 (Philosophy of Religion) and 02 (Religion and Ethics) are mandatory; Component 03-07 (Developments in Religious Thought) is one chosen tradition from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism or Hinduism. All three are essay-based.
subject content
1. Philosophy of Religion
Component 01- Ancient philosophical influences (Plato, Aristotle)
- Arguments for God's existence, problem of evil
- Religious experience, religious language, mind and body
2. Religion and Ethics
Component 02- Ethical theories: natural law, situation ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism
- Applied ethics: euthanasia, business ethics, sexual ethics
- Ethical language (meta-ethics), significant ideas (conscience), developments in ethical thought
3. Developments in Religious Thought
Component 03-07 (one chosen tradition)- One chosen religion: Christianity (03), Islam (04), Judaism (05), Buddhism (06) or Hinduism (07)
- Historical and theological development, key texts and figures
- Contemporary issues within the tradition
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 01 (Philosophy of Religion) | Philosophy of Religion content | 2h | 120 | 33.3% | Three 40-mark essays chosen from a list |
| Component 02 (Religion and Ethics) | Ethical theories and applied ethics | 2h | 120 | 33.3% | Three 40-mark essays chosen from a list |
| Component 03-07 (Developments in Religious Thought, one of five traditions) | One chosen tradition: Christianity (03), Islam (04), Judaism (05), Buddhism (06) or Hinduism (07) | 2h | 120 | 33.3% | Three 40-mark essays chosen from a list of four |
OCR's format is unusual: three 2-hour papers, each requiring three 40-mark essays chosen from a list of four. That's about 40 minutes per essay. Components 01 (Philosophy) and 02 (Ethics) are mandatory; Component 03-07 is one chosen religious tradition studied in depth.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including: religious, philosophical and/or ethical thought and teaching; influence of beliefs, teachings and practices on individuals, communities and societies; cause and significance of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice; approaches to the study of religion and belief. | 40% |
| AO2 | Analyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study. | 60% |
key tips for success
Practise essay pacing
Three 40-mark essays in 2 hours = about 40 minutes each. Practise timing early, running short on your third essay is a common trap.
Structure essays with clear argument
AO2 (analysis and evaluation) is 60%. Every essay needs a defensible thesis backed by weighted arguments and a considered judgement.
Learn named philosophers and theologians
Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Anselm, Hume, Kant, Mill, Bentham, Augustine, Sartre, know their arguments, positions and criticisms.
Master the ethical theories
Natural law, situation ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism. Know each theory's key claims, plus ethical language (naturalism, intuitionism, emotivism) and conscience.
Choose your religion carefully for Component 03
One chosen religion studied in depth. Christianity is most common at UK schools; other traditions also available. Your school picks.
Cross-reference across the three papers
Philosophy, Ethics and Developments in Religious Thought all interlink. Practise linking philosophical arguments (e.g. problem of evil) to ethical positions and religious teaching.
Where to next
Start your learning journey today...
Practise with Cognito's free past papers for this spec – or browse grade boundaries and related specifications.
