Comment from Ed Pawson, Chair, National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE): “Religious Studies is a key subject that provides great preparation for Higher Education. A level RS is certainly not an easy option. As the research from Durham University proves, it is more challenging than some of the so-called ‘facilitating’ subjects, and universities recognise this fact.”

Comment from John Keast, Chair, Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC): “Religious Studies A level provides an excellent foundation for a range of careers – from medicine to public service to business. Imagine how better prepared a doctor or business professional is if they understand the culture and customs of the individuals they are treating or dealing with. Or how a broad and deep knowledge of different world faiths and beliefs can help young people truly understand the context of events in the Middle East. As our world becomes increasingly interdependent and we interact with more diverse groups day to day, RS is becoming ever more relevant.”

Application to university:

• The Russell Group of top universities has made it clear that RS A level provides ‘suitable preparation for University’

• Both Oxford and Cambridge University include Religious Studies in the top level list of ‘suitable Arts A levels’

• Applicants with Religious Studies A level were more likely to gain admission to study History at Oxford University in 2012 than those with A levels in many other ‘facilitating’ subjects

• 20% of students admitted to Oxford University to study mathematics in 2011 had an RS A level (more than those with Economics, Physics and Business Studies A levels) Research from the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University on the comparative difficulty of different subjects at A level showed that RS was ‘in the middle difficulty range, similar to Geography and more demanding than English’.