GCSE Religious Studies - Draft Specification - teaching from September 2025, first award 2027

Sep 5, 2026

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Draft GCSE Religious Studies specification for teaching from September 2025, with the first award scheduled for 2027. The draft is not yet approved by Qualifications Wales and may change in the final version. It outlines unit-based subject content and the assessment model across four units, including written examinations and centre- or WJEC-set non-examination assessments, with indicated qualification weightings. It also references relevant Qualifications Wales regulatory documents, plus aims such as developing knowledge of religious and non-religious beliefs, exploring ethical and moral issues, and promoting tolerance, resilience, and empathy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages91

Reading Time3 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Aims

1.2 Curriculum for Wales

1.3 Prior learning and progression

1.4 Guided learning hours

1.5 Use of language

1.6 Equality and fair access

2 SUBJECT CONTENT

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

3 ASSESSMENT

3.1 Assessment Objectives and Weightings

3.2 Overview of arrangements for non-examination assessment

4 MALPRACTICE

5 TECHNICAL INFORMATION

5.1 Making entries

5.2 Grading, awarding and reporting

Appendix A: Opportunities for embedding elements of the Curriculum for Wales

GCSE GCSE Religious Studies Draft Specification For teaching from September 2025 First Award 2027 This DRAFT specification has yet to be approved by Qualifications Wales. Centres should therefore expect changes in the final approved version. Made for Wales. Ready for the world. This specification meets the requirements of the following regulatory documents published by Qualifications Wales: • Made for Wales GCSE Qualification Approval Criteria which set out requirements for any new GCSE qualification Approved for first teaching from September 2025 and beyond. • Standard Conditions of Recognition which contains the rules that all awarding bodies and their qualifications must meet when offering qualifications to learners in Wales. • Approval Criteria for GCSE Religious Studies which sets out the subject specific requirements for GCSE Religious Studies qualifications from September 2025 and beyond. CONTENTS SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT ........................................................................4 1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................5 1.1 Aims ............................................................................................................5 1.2 Curriculum for Wales...................................................................................5 1.3 Prior learning and progression ....................................................................7 1.4 Guided learning hours .................................................................................7 1.5 Use of language ..........................................................................................7 1.6 Equality and fair access ..............................................................................7 2 SUBJECT CONTENT .................................................................................9 Unit 1 ............................................................................................................... 10 Unit 2 ...............................................................................................................44 Unit 3 ...............................................................................................................46 Unit 4 ...............................................................................................................81 Opportunities for integration of learning experiences......................................83 3 ASSESSMENT..........................................................................................84 3.1 Assessment Objectives and Weightings ...................................................84 3.2 Overview of arrangements for non-examination assessment...................85 4 MALPRACTICE.........................................................................................86 5 TECHNICAL INFORMATION....................................................................87 5.1 Making entries ...........................................................................................87 5.2 Grading, awarding and reporting ..............................................................88 Appendix A: Opportunities for embedding elements of the Curriculum for Wales 89 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT | Unit 1: Religious and non-religious beliefs, teachings and practices
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes (to be confirmed) 30% of qualification
Marks to be confirmed | | --- | | Questions requiring objective responses, questions that require short and extended answers. | | Unit 2: Religion and relationships
Non-examination assessment: Duration to be confirmed 20% of qualification
Marks to be confirmed | | Set by WJEC, marked by the Centre and moderated by WJEC. The assessment will be based on one of two themes set by WJEC annually. | | Unit 3: Roles, rights and responsibilities
Written examination: Duration 1 hour 30 m

FAQs

Is this GCSE Religious Studies specification final and approved by Qualifications Wales?

No. It is a draft specification and has yet to be approved by Qualifications Wales, so changes should be expected in the final version.

What are the four units and how are they assessed?

The qualification is unitised and untiered. Unit 1 and Unit 3 use written examinations (with objective response and short/extended answers), while Unit 2 and Unit 4 use non-examination assessment with durations to be confirmed/TBC.

When are assessments and the first award available?

Units 1 and 3 and the submission of Unit 2 are available for the first time in summer 2026. Unit 4 submission is available for the first time in summer 2027, and the first award is scheduled for 2027.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Finn