Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) is a national qualification subject offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. RMPS is offered at different levels and the course varies at each level.

Religious and moral education in non-denominational schools and religious education in Roman Catholic schools is a statutory core subject in all primary and secondary schools, including at S5 and S6.[1] All pupils in Scotland must student RMPS for one hour per week.[2]

Higher (school exams)

Pupils wishing to study this subject at Higher level should have successfully completed this subject at National 5.

Higher RMPS, like all Higher courses, has three units.

The first is World Religions and Morality and Belief; where candidates have the choice of studying one of six religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism). This is worth 60 marks.

The second is Religious and Philosophical Questions; where candidates have the choice of one of the following; Morality & Justice, Morality & Relationships, Morality & Medicine, Morality & Conflict or Morality, Environment and Global Issues, as well as one of the following; Origins of Life, Existence of God, Suffering & Evil, and Miracles. This is worth 20 marks.

The third unit is an assignment. This is worth 30 marks.[3]

In 2011 the results of a three-year study were released, in which it was reported that despite many shortcomings in the way RMPS had been taught in Scotland, the subject was seeing "unprecedented interest and optimism"; the number of students sitting for the Higher RMPS increased from 1,323 in 2006 to about 4,100 in 2011.[4] In 2023, 3,889 pupils sat the Higher exam, with almost 3,300 gaining a pass grade.[5]

Higher education

This subject can also be studied at Bachelor Degree level, and the qualification can be used to become a teacher in RMPS.[6]

References
  1. Scottish Government website, Curriculum for Excellence: Religious and Moral Education 2011
  2. Craigie High School website, RME page, retrieved 2023-10-04
  3. SQA website, course specification for Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (printed 2019)', retrieved 2023-04-10
  4. Henry Hepburn, "Religious education makes a comeback", Times Educational Supplement, 18 March 2011.
  5. SQS website, 2023 course report
  6. University of the Highlands and Islands website, MPSRE page


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