English Language and Literature A level
Paston College
Grammar School Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JL
GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Available start dates
Available start dates
Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Paston College
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Application Instructions
Step 1: Apply
Step 2: Interviews and taster events
As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.
This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.
You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk
Step 3: Offer
This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.
All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.
Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: Enrolment
Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.
We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.
Course Details
This is a popular course that integrates the study of English Language and Literature. It is a dynamic and wide-ranging course that gives you the chance to develop your analytical and creative skills. It also allows you to apply linguistic concepts to literary texts and vice versa.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?
Throughout the course you will cover a range of fiction and nonfiction texts - while some of these might be familiar to you, others certainly won’t be. You will develop your analytical skills and enhance your understanding of literary and linguistic concepts as we delve into the four different components of the course. Component 1 is poetry & prose where you will study some classic British authors, such as William Blake, Christina Rossetti and Charles Dickens. Component 2 focuses on drama where you will study a Shakespearean comedy and a post 1900 play. Component 3 is non-literary where you will study spoken language and analyse the first ever non-fiction novel. Component 4 is a genre-study where you will explore the world of Gothic fiction in detail. This final unit produces a coursework folder which will include both critical analysis and some of your own creative writing.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES
We frequently organise theatre and gallery trips. In recent years we have visitied London, Stratford, Sheffield, and Ipswich. Recent favourites have included a Mexican version of Much Ado About Nothing at The Globe, Hobbit star Richard Armitage in The Crucible at the Old Vic and Benedict Cumberbatch as Frankenstein’s creature at the National Theatre.
We also try to provide additional context when we study texts; most recently, we have conducted a Gothic Ghost Walk exploring the haunting tales surrounding Tombland in Norwich.
We have also been fortunate enough to have Kindertransport survivor Joe Stirling deliver a personal account of his experiences.
IS IT SUITABLE FOR YOU?
This is a diverse course covering all aspects of English. If you want to explore texts in new and exciting ways, challenge yourself to read something different or just want to explore English in more detail, this is the course for you.
HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED?
You will be assessed through examinations and a critical and creative coursework folder.
THIS COURSE GOES WELL WITH…
A broad range of arts, humanities and social science subjects. The majority of our most successful students usually do at least one other subject that requires extended writing as part of its assessment such as Sociology, History, Film Studies and Politics.
Entry requirements
3 A Level Programme
Minimum of 66444 at GCSE
You must also study English/Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.
If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 plus 5 at grade 7 and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.
Please note that A Plus is designed for applicants to academic courses at Oxford, Cambridge or Russel Group.
Your next steps...
YOU CAN GO ON TO DO...
A range of English based degree courses and careers including creative writing, journalism, screenwriting, teaching and speech therapy. However, this course provides you with a range of skills such as communication, analysis and written accuracy that are valuable for any future career path.
For more courses like this, check our courses page.