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Cambridge (CIE) · IGCSE

Religious Studies 0490

Explore beliefs, practices and sources in the religions selected by your school. Explain their significance and compare perspectives using evidence.

18 lessons and reviews0 practice setsSyllabus 2025–2027, 2028 Version 2 and 2029
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At a glance

What you'll cover

  • Paper 1 · Worship
  • Paper 1 · Beliefs and scriptures
  • Paper 1 · Sacred places
  • Paper 2 · Festivals and fasts
  • Paper 2 · Rites of passage and family
  • Paper 2 · Religion and social action
Explore the sections

Published syllabus exam years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.

Syllabus 2025–2027, 2028 Version 2 and 2029

Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies 0490 syllabus map

2025–2027 syllabus; 2028 Version 2 and 2029 Version 1 checked

18 of 18 All 18 syllabus sections mapped to foundation teaching; specialist review and full assessment still pending have teaching and practice

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Study options and assessment

This is an original foundation sequence that maps all 18 official topic sections across Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Each section has one teaching lesson and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice with explained answers. It is not a full 130-hour course, a full-length mock-paper set, or a substitute for specialist teacher instruction. Cambridge suggests about 130 guided learning hours as a guide. Religious specialist review and human examiner-standard marking remain pending. Cambridge 0490 has two externally assessed papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks and 50% of the qualification. Each structured question has a 6-mark factual part, a 6-mark explanation part and an 8-mark evaluation part. StudyForA practice is self-checked; it does not award Cambridge marks or grades. For 2028 Version 2, Tzedek was removed from the named Jewish organisation list; use the appropriate version for the exam year. These are neutral, original study notes, not religious rulings. Religious belief and practice vary within each tradition; use qualified teachers and the exact syllabus for the exam year. Specialist review by Christian, Muslim and Jewish Religious Studies teachers is pending.

For 2026–2027 use the 2025–2027 syllabus; for 2028 use Version 2; for 2029 use Version 1. Exams are in the November series and the syllabus is not available in every administrative zone; confirm entry with Cambridge and your centre. The 2028 update removes Tzedek from the named Jewish organisations. The 2029 syllabus says there are no significant changes affecting teaching.

Choose your paper route

  • Choose the two religions taught by your centreChristianity · Islam · Judaism

    Cambridge candidates study two of the three religions. StudyForA includes all three topic maps, but does not know which two your centre has selected; confirm your route with your teacher.

  • Paper 1 · Worship, beliefs, scriptures and sacred places1 hour 45 minutes · 80 marks · 50%

    Practise factual recall, explanation and evaluation across your two selected religions.

  • Paper 2 · Festivals, fasts, family life and social action1 hour 45 minutes · 80 marks · 50%

    Practise factual recall, explanation and evaluation across your two selected religions.

View syllabus coverage

Candidates study two religions from Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This course provides mapped foundation lessons for all three so learners can follow their centre's route. Paper 1 covers worship, beliefs, scriptures and sacred places; Paper 2 covers festivals, fasts, family life and social action. Each is 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks and 50%. Structured questions use AO1 knowledge and AO2 evaluation. Cambridge 0490 has two externally assessed papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks and 50% of the qualification. Each structured question has a 6-mark factual part, a 6-mark explanation part and an 8-mark evaluation part. StudyForA practice is self-checked; it does not award Cambridge marks or grades.

Paper 1 · Worship

Paper 1 · Beliefs and scriptures

Paper 1 · Sacred places

Paper 2 · Festivals and fasts

Paper 2 · Rites of passage and family

Paper 2 · Religion and social action

Review gap

  • Qualified Christian, Muslim and Jewish subject reviewSPECIALIST-REVIEW · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus section
    Teacher, centre, or specialist assessment required

Assessment gap

  • Timed 80-mark papers and examiner-standard feedbackFULL-LENGTH-ASSESSMENT · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus section
    Teacher, centre, or specialist assessment required

Depth gap

  • Full guided learning sequenceGUIDED-HOURS · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus section
    Teacher, centre, or specialist assessment required

Read the syllabus update

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Assessment skills

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  1. 01

    Christian worship: places, objects, prayer and leaders

    Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea

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  2. 02

    Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Bible

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  3. 03

    Christian pilgrimage and places of religious importance

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  4. 04

    Christian festivals, fasts and changing practice

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  5. 05

    Christian life stages, family beliefs and changing roles

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  6. 06

    Christian compassion, stewardship and organised charity

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  7. 07

    Muslim worship: mosque, prayer, artefacts and leaders

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  8. 08

    Muslim beliefs, the Prophet, the Qur'an and Islamic history

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  9. 09

    Hajj, 'Umrah and historic places in Islam

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  10. 10

    Ramadan, the two 'Ids and changing observance

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  11. 11

    Muslim life stages, family practice and change

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  12. 12

    The ummah, Shari'ah, care for others and stewardship

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  13. 13

    Jewish worship: synagogue, Torah, prayer and Shabbat

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  14. 14

    Jewish beliefs about G-d, covenants and Torah

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  15. 15

    Jewish pilgrimage, Jerusalem and memory of the Temple

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  16. 16

    Jewish festivals, fasts and changing observance

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  17. 17

    Jewish rites, family practice and tradition in change

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  18. 18

    Jewish compassion, tzedakah, stewardship and relief

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These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.

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