The right resources make A Level Religious Studies (RS) clearer, faster, and more rewarding. Below is a curated list of AQA-aligned textbooks, revision materials, and free, credible sources you can rely on—plus a simple plan for using them week by week. We teach the AQA A Level Religious Studies specification at Study from Home.

Best Textbooks (Core Course Study)

• AQA A Level RS course texts (clearly labelled “AQA”) — Look for editions that cover: Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and your chosen Study of Religion unit (e.g., Christianity).
  How to use: read one sub-section at a time; turn headings into questions; add one scholar quote and one evaluation point to your notes.
• Topic companions — concise guides for Philosophy of Religion (arguments, problem of evil, religious language), Ethics (utilitarianism, Kant, Natural Law, situation ethics), and Christianity (doctrine, sources of wisdom, contemporary debates).
  How to use: make a one-page “exam sheet” per topic (definitions · key scholars · typical AO2 angles · recent examples).
• Exam update booklets — slim yearly updates can refresh examples and debates.
  How to use: tag each update to a syllabus area (e.g., Pluralism, Meta-ethics, Religious Language).

Revision Guides & Workbooks (Exam Technique)

• AQA-specific revision guides — brief topic overviews with glossary and quick checks.
  Use for: rapid reviews, spaced retrieval and confidence boosts before timed writing.
• Question-bank workbooks — sets of exam-style questions with model paragraphs/essays.
  Use for: 10–15 minute timed PEEL/PEACE paragraph drills and self-marking against AO1/AO2.
• Flashcards (DIY or publisher) — key terms, scholar claims, quotations (with short context).
  Use for: daily spaced repetition (add one AO2 critique to each card).

By Exam Board (quick pointers)

• AQA: ensure coverage of Philosophy, Ethics, and your chosen Study of Religion; practise AO1 knowledge and AO2 evaluation balance.
• Edexcel: check mapping to Philosophy, Religion & Ethics, and New Testament Studies (if chosen). Confirm essay command words match Edexcel style.
• OCR: confirm resources align to Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Ethics, and Developments in Christian Thought; use OCR mark schemes for essay focus.

Free, High-Quality Online Sources (Scholars, Evidence & Past Papers)

• Exam board sites: specification, past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports.
  Use for: understanding what earns marks and common pitfalls.
• Primary texts & reputable summaries: SEP/IEP (for philosophy overviews), selected journal summaries, and reliable theology resources for key doctrines and scholars.
  Use for: short scholar quotes with accurate context.
• Ethics & policy briefings: UK Parliament research briefings, reputable think-tanks, NHS/WHO ethics pages.
  Use for: contemporary examples for applied ethics questions.

Build a Weekly Study Stack (30–45 mins)

1. 10 mins: Flashcard review (terms, scholar claims, quotations).
2. 10 mins: Add one fresh example or scholar reference to your topic bank (with citation note).
3. 10–15 mins: Timed paragraph using PEEL/PEACE (AO1 then AO2 judgement).
4. 5–10 mins: Self-mark with the AOs; log one “fix” for next time.

Need structure? See our guides on how to revise RS (AO1 & AO2), how RS exams are marked, and how to write RS essays.

What to Avoid

• Out-of-date editions lacking current debates or spec changes.
• Unverified online quotes/summaries without sources.
• Memorising model essays instead of flexible structures + scholar-based evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need more than one textbook?
One AQA-aligned course text is enough for core content; add a concise revision guide and a topic companion (e.g., Ethics or Philosophy) if budget allows.

How current should my examples be?
Aim for the last 12–24 months for applied ethics/religion-and-society questions; keep landmark scholars and classic debates for context.

How do I know a book matches my exam board?
Check the cover/product page for “AQA/Edexcel/OCR A Level RS” and ensure it lists your selected components (e.g., Christianity / Developments in Christian Thought).

What’s the fastest way to improve my essays?
Weekly timed paragraphs (10–15 mins) + self-marking with AO1/AO2. Use PEEL/PEACE and finish with a clear judgement statement.