Theology and Philosophy

The Theology and Philosophy course is an invaluable opportunity to gain transferable skills for careers and courses demanding analysis, evaluation and clarity of expression.

This A Level course is aimed at those who are prepared for an open-minded exploration of the big questions, in particular the medical, legal and moral issues that affect the lives of humans today, as well as deeper philosophical questions about the nature of the universe and of humanity, and the existence or non-existence of God.

The course is designed for anyone to undertake and previous knowledge from GCSE, whilst helpful, is not a requirement (those without GCSE background can easily get up to speed with a little summer reading). An open mind to often controversial and complex issues is required, as is the understanding that we are required more often than not to discover the questions and a number of solutions, but not a definitive answer. Those who wish to ask the impossible questions about life, the world and the universe and explore some of the answers offered by the philosophers and scholars are likely to feel at home being challenged by and challenging others on this course.

An A Level in Theology and Philosophy is a highly regarded qualification for anyone proceeding to university in both the arts and the sciences. The ability to think clearly and to evaluate contrasting philosophical, ethical and moral views, as well as possession of an understanding of the history of ideas from Socrates onwards, are valued by both universities and employers.

Those studying A Level in the past have gone on to study in such diverse fields as PPE and Law at Oxford and Cambridge, Medicine at University College London, English at Durham, History at St Andrew’s, Journalism at Bristol and Sports Science at Loughborough – as well as Theology and Philosophy at all of the above!

The big issues in areas such as legal ethics, medical ethics and the environment as well as sex and relationships provide the opportunity to explore what has been traditionally seen as right and wrong and how we apply these ideas in practice. Big questions such as “if there’s a God why doesn’t (s)he prove it?” in addition to euthanasia, cloning, IVF and social justice are investigated through the writings of the philosophers and scholars, always requiring pupils to evaluate for themselves the relative strengths and weaknesses of the contrasting evidence.

2020.08