RMPS

RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) plays a vital role in helping our young people explore big questions about life, beliefs, ethics, and the world around them. Through RMPS, students are encouraged to think deeply, respect different viewpoints, and develop their own values and understanding of the world. Students learn to analyse, debate, and form reasoned arguments—skills that are valuable in many areas of life and future study.

RMPS is not about promoting any one belief system—it’s about opening minds, encouraging respectful discussion, and helping students become informed, thoughtful citizens in a diverse and ever-changing world.

RMPS is distinct from RME, which is a core subject for all pupils. While all students continue to receive weekly RME lessons as part of their broad general education, RMPS is an SQA qualification that pupils choose to study as one of their exam subjects.

We’re proud to offer a range of RMPS courses from National 1 through to Advanced Higher, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to engage with the subject at a level that suits their needs and aspirations. Information about each course can be found below.

National 1 & 2

National 1

🎉 Religious Festivals

The National 1 Religious and Moral Education: Religious Festivals Unit (SCQF Level 1) aims to introduce learners to the concept of religious festivals, providing opportunities to explore various celebrations and their significance.

Useful link:

https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N1RMEReligiousFestivalsUSNH70571.pdf

National 2

🌍 World Religions

This unit introduces learners to the basic concepts of religious faith and the significance of religious festivals. It aims to help learners develop a basic understanding of world religions and the festivals associated with these religions.

⚖️ Investigating Morality

This unit focuses on helping learners develop an understanding of morality and the processes involved in making moral decisions. It aims to provide opportunities for learners to demonstrate a basic understanding of how moral behaviour affects other people.

Useful links:

https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N2USNRMEWorldReligions.pdf

https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N2USNRMEInvestigatingMorality.pdf

National 3

What will I study?

The course has three compulsory units:

🌍World Religion
In this unit you will:

learn how to comment on the meaning of sources relating to the religion you are studying
learn about the impact and significance of religion today through studying some key beliefs, practices and sources found within one of the world’s six major religions.

⚖️Morality and Belief

In this unit you will:

develop your understanding of contemporary moral questions and religious and non-religious responses
learn how to express your views about moral questions and responses.

🧠 Religious and Philosophical Questions

In this unit you will:

develop your ability to describe religious and philosophical questions and responses.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course.

You must pass all three units to gain the course qualification.

Useful links:

https://learningrmps.com/tag/national-3/

National 4

What will I study?

The course has three compulsory units, plus an added value unit:

World Religion
In this unit you will:

learn how to comment on the meaning of sources relating to the religion you are studying
learn about the impact and significance of religion today through studying some key beliefs, practices and sources found within one of the world’s six major religions.

Morality and Belief

In this unit you will:

develop your understanding of contemporary moral questions and religious and non-religious responses
learn how to express your views about moral questions and responses.

Religious and Philosophical Questions

In this unit you will:

develop your ability to describe religious and philosophical questions and responses.

Added Value Unit: Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Assignment

In this unit you will:

choose an issue or topic for personal study from religious, moral or philosophical contexts
research your chosen topic and report your findings.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course.

You must pass all three units and the AVU to gain the course qualification.

Useful links:

https://learningrmps.com/tag/national-4/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmwxvcw

National 5

What will I study?

The course has three compulsory units:

World Religion

You will:

develop your ability to explain and comment on the meaning of sources relating to the religion you are studying
develop factual and abstract knowledge and understanding of the impact and significance of religion today through studying some key beliefs, practices and sources found within one of the world’s six major religions.

Morality and Belief

You will:

develop skills to explain and express reasoned views about contemporary moral questions and responses
develop detailed factual and theoretical knowledge and understanding of contemporary moral questions and religious and non-religious responses.

Religious and Philosophical Questions

You will:

develop skills to analyse religious and philosophical questions and responses.

How will I be assessed?

The course assessment has two components totalling 100 marks:

Component 1: question paper – worth 80 marks
Component 2: assignment – worth 20 marks.

For the assignment component, you will be asked to choose and research an issue or topic drawn from a religious, moral or philosophical context, and produce evidence on your findings. The assignment component will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The question paper will be set and externally marked by SQA.

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

The course assessment is graded A-D.

Useful links:
https://learningrmps.com/tag/national-5/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2dmyrd
https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk/user-start/?next=/

Higher

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.

Useful links:

https://learningrmps.com/tag/higher/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z782fg8

Advanced Higher

What will I study?

There are three areas of study to choose from. One mandatory and one optional.

Philosophy of Religion (mandatory)

You will:

develop skills to critically evaluate a range of complex issues arising from the philosophy of religion
develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of key arguments and responses to them.

Religious Experience

You will:

develop skills to critically evaluate a range of complex issues concerning religious experience and religious and other responses
develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of different perspectives on religious experience.

How will I be assessed?

Course assessment

The course assessment consists of two components totalling 140 marks:

Component 1 - Question paper (90 marks)
Component 2 - Project: Dissertation (50 marks).

For the project you will carry out independent research and produce a 3,000 - 4,000 word dissertation on a religious, moral or philosophical question or issue.

Both the question paper and the project 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.

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