Edexcel AS Religious Studies specification (8RS0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel AS Religious Studies exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel AS Religious Studies specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel AS Religious Studies (8RS0) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel AS Level in Religious Studies introduces students to rigorous exploration of philosophical, ethical, and theological ideas within specified religious traditions. It encourages engagement with key questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, and their influence on human life. Students will develop critical thinking, reasoned argumentation, and an understanding of diverse viewpoints. This qualification lays a strong foundation for further study by focusing on structured debate and the interplay between religion and contemporary issues.Subject content breakdown
1: Study of Religion
- Focus on one chosen religion: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, or Sikhism
- Beliefs and values: God or ultimate reality, self, death and afterlife, meaning and purpose of life
- Sources of wisdom and authority: scriptures, tradition, religious figures
- Practices: forms and purposes of worship, lifestyle, community, religious experience
- Expression of religious identity: moral conduct, community life, sacred space, symbolism
- Religion and society: roles in social, political, historical contexts
- Diverse perspectives: variation in interpretation and application within the tradition
2: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
- Philosophical issues and questions: arguments for/against God’s existence, nature of religious language
- Sources of wisdom and authority: influence of key philosophical and ethical texts
- Ethical theories: natural law, situation ethics, virtue ethics, utilitarianism
- Application of ethical theory: war and peace, sexual ethics, equality, medical ethics
- Ways of moral decision-making: deontological, teleological, virtue approaches
- Influence and impact: philosophical and ethical concepts in real-world issues and religious belief
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Study of Religion
- Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- Four compulsory questions on the chosen religion
- Mixture of short and extended responses
Paper 2: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
- Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- Four compulsory questions: two on philosophy, two on ethics
- Includes analysis and evaluation of concepts, issues, and viewpoints
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel AS Religious Studies isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article