Religious Education Studying Independently
NOW ENROLLING
Our Religious Education Out Of School Subject is designed to provide expert tuition to 5th & 6th Year students who want to study Religious Education independently for the Leaving Certificate.
Throughout the 29 weeks, our expert teachers help to develop the subject knowledge and key examination skills students need to reach their full academic potential.
For two hours per week, students can study independently by attending fully interactive online classes.
Students studying Religious Education independently will receive:
- Exceptional tuition from Ireland’s leading teachers
- 2 hours of class per week
- Weekly support with homework and projects
- Live class recordings to rewatch at any time throughout the school year until the end of the State Exams in 2025
- The Institute’s renowned exam-focused class notes
- Exam strategies – answer techniques, marking schemes and time management
The teacher for this Religious Education Studying Independently course is Nigel Conway.
Subject Topics:
The Religious Education syllabus is divided into three main units, each with specific sections:
Unit One:
Section A: The Search for Meaning and Values (Compulsory)
- Overview: This section explores fundamental questions about existence, purpose, and the nature of values. It examines philosophical and religious perspectives on life’s meaning and the values that guide human behaviour.
Unit Two: (Students study any two of the three sections)
Section B: Christianity: Origins and Contemporary Expressions
- Overview: This section delves into the historical roots of Christianity, its development, and how it is expressed in contemporary society. Topics include the life of Jesus, the spread of Christianity, and its impact on culture and society.
Section C: World Religions
- Overview: This section provides a comparative study of major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It looks at their beliefs, practices, and how they shape the lives of the adherents.
Unit Three: (Students study one of four sections, as well as one of the two sections designated for coursework)
Section E: Religion and Gender
- Overview: This section explores the role of gender in religious traditions and how religious beliefs and practices influence gender roles and identities. It looks at contemporary issues and historical developments.
Section F: Issues of Justice and Peace
- Overview: This section examines religious and ethical perspectives on justice and peace. Topics include human rights, social justice, conflict resolution, and the role of religion in promoting peace.
Section G: Worship, Prayer, and Ritual
- Overview: This section investigates the various forms of worship, prayer, and ritual across different religions. It explores their significance, purpose, and the impact they have on individuals and communities.
Section H: The Bible: Literature and Sacred Text
- Overview: This section focuses on the Bible as both a literary and sacred text. It examines its structure, themes, and the different ways it has been interpreted and used throughout history.
Section I: Religion: The Irish Experience
- Overview: This section explores the unique religious landscape of Ireland, including the history and development of religious traditions in the country, their influence on Irish culture, and contemporary religious issues in Ireland.
Section J: Religion and Science
- Overview: This section examines the relationship between religion and science, including historical and contemporary dialogues. Topics include the origins of the universe, the nature of human life, and ethical implications of scientific advancements.
Assessment Structure:
Higher Level:
- Written Paper: 1 Paper – 80% of marks
- Project: 1 Paper – 20% of marks
Ordinary Level:
- Written Paper: 1 Paper – 80% of marks
- Project: 1 Paper – 20% of marks
Components:
- Coursework: Extended essay on a topic provided by the DES. The two sections of the Leaving Cert syllabus selected for the coursework are Section E: Religion and Gender and Section H: The Bible and Sacred Text.
- Terminal Written Paper: Comprehensive exam covering selected units.
Course Levels: The syllabus is offered at both Ordinary and Higher levels. Each year, two sections from Unit Three are designated for coursework by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Notes and Homework
Extensive notes are provided to students. These notes are for use throughout the course and are a useful revision tool.
Assessment
Homework is assigned and graded weekly, with individual feedback provided before each class.
End-of-topic assessments are regularly scheduled. Student progress is closely monitored to ensure ongoing skill development is progressing at the appropriate rate.
A Christmas assessment test and mock exam will also be scheduled which students can complete in-person or online.
For the Academic Year 2024/25 this Religious Education Studying Independently Course will take place every Wednesday at 17:30 as per the Weekly Schedule below.
NOTE: All classes are 120 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
| Week | Week Commencing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2nd Sept 2024 | First Week |
| 2 | 9th Sept 2024 | |
| 3 | 16th Sept 2024 | |
| 4 | 23rd Sept 2024 | |
| 5 | 30th Sept 2024 | |
| 6 | 7th Oct 2024 | |
| 7 | 14th Oct 2024 | |
| 8 | 21st Oct 2024 | |
| No Classes | 30th Oct 2024 | Mid-Term |
| 9 | 4th Nov 2024 | |
| 10 | 11th Nov 2024 | |
| 11 | 18th Nov 2024 | |
| 12 | 25th Nov 2024 | |
| 13 | 2nd Dec 2024 | |
| 14 | 9th Dec 2024 | |
| No Classes | 16th Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 23rd Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 30th Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| 15 | 6th Jan 2025 | |
| 16 | 13th Jan 2025 | |
| 17 | 20th Jan 2025 | |
| 18 | 27th Jan 2025 | |
| 19 | 3rd Feb 2025 | St. Brigid's Bank Holiday, Classes as normal this week, including Bank Holiday Monday 3rd February 2025 |
| 20 | 10th Feb 2025 | |
| No Classes | 17th Feb 2025 | February Mid Term |
| 21 | 24th Feb 2025 | |
| 22 | 3rd March 2025 | |
| 23 | 10th March 2025 | |
| No Classes | 17th March 2025 | St Patrick's Week |
| 24 | 24th March 2025 | |
| 25 | 31st March 2025 | |
| 26 | 7th April 2025 | |
| No Classes | 14th April 2025 | Easter Break |
| No Classes | 21st April 2025 | Easter Break |
| 27 | 28th April 2025 | |
| 28 | 5th May 2025 | **May Bank Holiday. No classes Mon 5th May. Classes as normal Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th May. |
| 29 | 12th May 2025 |
The fee for enrolling in this course is: €1,935.
If you would like to enrol on two Out Of School Subjects, the fee is €3,290.
All students joining our weekly classes now will receive access to recordings of all the classes for which they have enrolled. In addition, they will have access to recordings of the classes that have already taken place since the start of the course. This is an invaluable aid when it comes to revision. Class recordings are available to the end of State Exams 2025.
Please note:
- Card payments accepted.
- 10% reduction for the second and subsequent members of the same family, attending the same courses. Please contact our office to avail of this discount.
- Fees are non-transferable.
- An Installment payment option for fees is available. Please call our office on 01 661 3511 or email help@instituteofeduction.ie to avail of this payment plan.
For your convenience, our Out of School Subjects are mainly delivered online through Microsoft Teams – there’s no need to travel, and you can learn from the comfort of your own home.
Course notes are posted to you in advance so you can log in and take part in the live and fully interactive classes.
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
Our Frequently Asked Questions are below, but if you have any other questions, please contact info@instituteofeducation.ie.
Physical Education Studying Independently
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: How do I access my online classes?
A: Students enrolled on the course will receive an email from us containing their unique login details and links to access their chosen subjects. Login credentials will be sent in advance of course start date. Only those details sent to you will enable you to successfully access classes online.
Q: How are the online hosted?
A: All online classes are hosted live on Microsoft Teams. The links to the weekly classes are accessed via Moodle. Students must sign into both Moodle and MS Teams with the @instituteofeducation.ie login credentials sent to the student.
Q: Are the online classes pre-recorded?
A: No, each online class is streamed live. Recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid.
Q: Will I have access to recordings of the live classes?
A: Yes, recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid. These will be available up until the end of the State exams 2025.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online classes?
A: We would advise that all students enrolling in our online grinds have the following:
• Access to a reliable wifi service.
• Access to a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or similar device.
• We would not recommend using a mobile phone.
• Headphones/earphones.
Q: If I'm attending the online classes will I have access to the notes?
A: Yes, students enrolled in online classes will receive a monthly delivery of notes for each chosen subject. Please allow five working days for delivery from the time of booking.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be posted out to each student for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis.
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 2 hours.
Q: How much is the fee per class?
A: The total fee for this course is €1,935.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes, though please note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 20th January 2025. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or helpdesk@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week (29 classes).
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly classes?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, attendance is monitored for each class attended. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: What style are the classes conducted in? Can students ask questions?
A: Our classes run in a more lecture style than most students might be used to in school, but they are also interactive, and teachers will use a variety of methods to ensure that students can learn and understand and feel comfortable asking questions and contributing to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can I find out what is yet to be covered on the course and what I have missed?
A: Each teacher has their own individual teaching plan for the year and will be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attend the weekly classes. Can we buy the notes?
A: No, teaching is a central part of all our courses and classes. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of what was covered in class by the teacher.
Testimonials
It was like being in the classroom even though I was at home. The course was very useful and the notes are incredible!
– Brian, 6th Year Student
I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.
– Ava, 5th Year Student
My daughter attended classes at the Institute. She found the lessons to be excellent; well-structured and focused. The teachers were top-class and provided excellent advice and encouragement. The lecture notes are superb!
– Grainne (Parent)