English Literature A Level

Do you have a passion for reading and exploring plays, poems and novels? Do you enjoy reading widely and analysing and interrogating texts to find meaning? If so, English Literature is an ideal subject for you!

Books, poems and plays are at the heart of this course, offering a wonderful opportunity to delve into classics such as Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Shakespeare’s King Lear, as well as strikingly modern drama and poetry, such as Lucy Prebble’s Enron and Carol Ann Duffy’s Mean Time.

You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own literary passion by choosing your own texts to study for coursework, preparing you for study at university.

There are three written examinations and one coursework component completed over the two-year course. Component 1 (Poetry) is worth 30%, Component 2 (Drama) is worth 30%, Component 3 (Unseen Texts) is worth 20%, and Component 4 (Prose Study coursework) is worth 20%.

Must meet overall entry criteria for A Level study.

At least five GCSEs at grades 9-4 in one sitting. An average GCSE score of 5 or more is preferred.

GCSE English and Maths at grade 4. (A grade 5+ in GCSE English preferred.)

English Literature is the perfect A Level to study if you want to pursue a degree in English literature, either as a single subject, or combined with creative writing, linguistics or journalism.

Careers as diverse as public relations, teaching, social work, fundraising, film and television all welcome an academic qualification in English Literature.