Religious Education

It is a popular subject, being compulsory in many schools with over 24,000 candidates sitting the paper in 2008, comprising approximately 40% of all the students who sit the Junior Certificate in a given year. 

Students learn about many of the world’s religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and also non-religious traditions such as humanism and atheism.

Course Content

Buddhism
Christianity
Communities of Faith
Exploring Questions
Expressing Beliefs
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Living Our Values
The Celebration of Faith & Prayer

Assessment

• Written Examination
• 2 Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs)
• Assessment Task

The Exam

Students must sit a two-hour exam paper worth 90% of overall marks. The exam is a common-level paper that will assess the learning outcomes of the course. 

Classroom-Based Assessments

Students must complete 2 CBAs. CBA 1 is titled 'A person of commitment', in which students must research and report on a person who positively impacted the world because of their religious beliefs. CBA 2 is titled 'The human search for meaning'. Students must explore artistic, archaeological or architectural evidence that shows how people have engaged in the search for the meaning of life. Both CBA reports may be completed as individual work or as group work.

Assessment Task

This is worth 10% of overall marks and is based on CBA 2. Students may have to reflect on the new knowledge and understanding that have been gained through CBA 2, the skills they have developed and the beliefs and perspectives they have come across.

Future Careers

Studying Religious Education can provide students with skills that are applicable to career sectors such as Education, Teaching, History, Culture, Psychology and Social Care.

Download the JC Religious Education Specification

Download the JC Religious Education Chief Examiner's Report (2008)

Download the JC Religious Education Assessment Guidelines