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Excel in iGCSE Religious Studies with Targeted Practice

Revise iGCSE Religious Studies with practice on world religions, philosophy, ethics, and textual analysis.

Content reviewed February 2026 · Aligned to current specification

About iGCSE Religious Studies

iGCSE Religious Studies develops students' understanding of religious beliefs, practices, values and traditions, and their impact on individuals, communities and societies around the world. The Cambridge International syllabus covers major world religions and explores themes such as the nature of God, ethical dilemmas, relationships, human rights and the meaning of life.

Assessment is through written examination papers requiring both knowledge-based and evaluative responses. Students demonstrate understanding of religious teachings, analyse how beliefs influence behaviour, and evaluate different viewpoints on ethical and philosophical questions. There is no coursework component.

The iGCSE in Religious Studies develops critical thinking, empathy and the ability to construct and evaluate arguments about complex moral and philosophical issues. It is valued by universities as evidence of intellectual maturity and is excellent preparation for A-Level Religious Studies, Philosophy or Ethics.

Topics Covered

Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Ethics Philosophy of Religion Textual Analysis Contemporary Issues

Exam Boards

iGCSE Religious Studies is available from these exam boards

How UpGrades Helps

Adaptive Practice

Questions adapt to your level in Religious Studies, focusing on the topics where you need the most improvement.

Spaced Repetition

Review Religious Studies topics at optimal intervals to maximise long-term retention for your iGCSE exam.

Progress Tracking

See exactly how you're progressing across all 8 Religious Studies topics with detailed analytics.

Study Tips for Religious Studies

  • Learn specific religious teachings, texts and quotations for each topic. iGCSE Religious Studies examiners reward answers that reference specific scriptures, doctrines or religious authorities.
  • Practice answering evaluation questions by presenting multiple viewpoints (including religious and secular perspectives) and reaching a reasoned personal conclusion.
  • Create comparison tables when studying similar themes across different religions. Understanding both similarities and differences is frequently tested.
  • Study the application of religious principles to modern ethical issues (medical ethics, environmental responsibility, social justice) as these are common exam topics.

Exam Tips for iGCSE Religious Studies

  • In evaluation questions, always include at least two different perspectives and make your own reasoned judgement. One-sided answers cannot access the highest marks.
  • Use specific religious vocabulary and terminology. Referring to concepts by their proper names (e.g. ahimsa, agape, ummah, karma) demonstrates depth of understanding.
  • Structure your answers clearly and directly address the question. Avoid writing everything you know about a topic when only a specific aspect is being asked about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which religions are studied in iGCSE Religious Studies? +
The Cambridge International syllabus offers options covering Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Schools typically select one or two religions to study in depth, along with thematic and ethical topics.
Do I need to be religious to study iGCSE Religious Studies? +
No. The qualification is academic, not devotional. It develops your ability to understand, analyse and evaluate religious and ethical perspectives regardless of your own beliefs. Students of all faiths and none study the subject successfully.
Is iGCSE Religious Studies a respected qualification? +
Yes. Universities recognise it as evidence of analytical thinking, evaluative writing and the ability to engage with complex ideas. It is particularly valued for humanities, social science and law applications.

Religious Studies at other levels: GCSE Religious Studies · A-Level Religious Studies

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