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A-Level

English Literature

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You will study prose, poetry and drama texts and develop your skills in critical analysis. You will review modern texts and texts from previous centuries whilst undertaking independent reading.

Exam Board

Edexcel

Entry Requirements

GCSE grade 6 in either English language or English Literature.

Assessment

  • 80% Exams
  • 20% Coursework
About this course An introduction to English literature Pathways Information FAQs

What is English Literature?

If you are reading this, it’s because you are an avid reader and understand the power of literature to affect hearts and shape minds.  You will study prose, poetry and drama texts and develop your skills in critical analysis. You will review modern texts and texts from previous centuries whilst undertaking independent reading.

 

What will I study?

You will study a wide range of texts and will be encouraged to become an active reader and offer opinions and ideas based on your own interpretations of literary texts, as well as considering the opinions of others. The texts you study will be from different social and historical contexts, including Shakespeare. You will also have the opportunity to study poetry published post 2000 and to develop your skills in analysing unseen poetry.

 

Assessments

Three exam papers: Drama, Prose and Poetry (80%)

Non-examination assessment (coursework) (20%)

 

Trips, visits and enrichments

  • Trips to theatres, study days and a wide range of revision lectures
  • Various student-led enrichment groups
  • Annual poetry competition
  • Guest speakers as part of the Aspire Speakers Series, e.g., poet Liz Berry
  • Tutorials to prepare for the ELAT admission test for applicants to Oxford & Cambridge in English, through the Aspire Programme

 

What can it lead to?

Universities view English Literature favourably, as you have carried out extensive reading and critical analysis. It is also an excellent qualification for a very wide range of professions.

FAQs

What is the difference between A Level English Literature and GCSE English Literature?
A Level English Literature is significantly more advanced and detailed compared to GCSE English Literature. Whilst GCSE provides an introductory exploration of a variety of literary works, A-Levels delve deeper into literature analysis and criticism, exploring themes, contexts, and interpretations more extensively, requiring students to engage with critical theories and perspectives.
How is the study of A Level English Literature different from studying A Level Language and Literature?
Literature focuses upon the analytical study of fiction and there are more texts, activities and assessments in this regard whereas in English Language and Literature you will study fewer fiction texts in a similar way but also non-fiction. Both courses contain a coursework element.
Which texts are studied on the course?
‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khalid Hosseini, ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams, ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare and ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In addition, students will study a collection of modern poetry, along with a series of poems from the Romantic movement.
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