Why study Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies?

This course gives you the opportunity to investigate the nature and scope of religion and morality and to consider philosophical viewpoints on religious and other stances for living in the modern world. It helps you to reflect on your own life experiences and develop your personal beliefs and values. In addition you will gain knowledge and understanding of the different beliefs and values of others and the ability to express your opinions and give informed comment.

The skills you learn in this course are valuable in a wide range of careers, and provide a valuable contribution to your personal, social and intellectual development.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Arts, Social Sciences and Languages

Information, Culture and Heritage

Law

Social, Caring and Advisory Services

What do I need to get in?

Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have achieved:

• National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

What will I study?

The course consists of three areas of study.

World religion

You will:

• develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the impact and significance of religion today
• study key beliefs and practices of one of the world’s six major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism) and the contribution these make to the lives of followers.

Morality and belief

You will:

• learn how to evaluate and express detailed, reasoned and well-structured views about contemporary moral questions and responses
• develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary moral questions, and religious and non-religious responses to these
• study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions.

Religious and philosophical questions

You will:

• develop skills to critically analyse religious and philosophical questions and responses
• study religious viewpoints from one of the world’s six major religions.

How will I be assessed?

The course assessment has three components totalling 110 marks:

• Component 1: question paper 1 – worth 60 marks (consisting of two sections worth 30 marks each: section 1 World Religion, and section 2  Morality and Belief)
• Component 2: question paper 2 - Religious and Philosophical Questions – worth 20 marks
• Component 3: assignment – worth 30 marks.

For the assignment component, you will choose a question to research based on an issue of religious, moral or philosophical significance, on which there are a range of viewpoints. You will gather sources relevant to the question and then analyse and evaluate this information to produce an extended piece of writing in response to this question.

Both the question papers and the assignment component are set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.

The course assessment is graded A-D.

Study Materials

• SQA Past Papers Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Higher
• SQA Specimen Paper 1 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Higher
• SQA Understanding Standards Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
• BBC Bitesize Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Higher
• UShare Study Resources

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• Advanced Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

Further study, training or employment in:

• Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
• Information, Culture and Heritage
• Law
• Social, Caring and Advisory Services
• Teaching and Classroom Support

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies - Related Careers

Where can my parents find out more?

Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.

They can also read the information leaflet(s):

Nationals in a Nutshell - Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (Higher)