A Level English Literature

While you avidly read a new book, do you ask yourself, "What else has this author written?"

Do you wonder "What were the ideas of the period that made the writer think this way?", "What did reviewers think of this book when it was first published?" If so, English Literature is a course you will find particularly attractive.

About the Course

Do you enjoy reading and discussing the great works of literature? Do you want to expand your understanding of texts, contexts, ideas and to improve your writing? Then English Literature is for you. During your study of English Literature, you will explore eight texts while being encouraged to read independently, widely, and in-depth.

We will cover all three genres: Poetry, Drama and Prose across a range of periods and will include a selection of contemporary poetry written since the year 2000, the romantic John Keats, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and the thematic exploration of either ‘Science and Society’ or ‘Women and Society’ in the novel. Coursework forms part of this A level course, and the theme is Belonging.

Opportunities unique to this course

You will gain the skills of close analysis and a broader understanding of culture from Shakespeare to the post-colonial era. We have frequent visits by academic speakers – last year Professor Victor Sage, expert on the gothic, spoke on Frankenstein. We take groups to theatres to see relevant productions, and organise trips to hear prominent writers speak.

• Hamlet - William Shakespeare
• Waiting for Godot - Samuel Beckett

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

OR

• Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf and Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

• Poems of the Decade plus an unseen poem
• Romantic poet John Keats.

Component 4

Non-Examined Assessment

• 'Belonging'

Consists of three open-book written exams and one non-exam assessment:

Paper 1: Drama (2hr 15mins, 30%)

Paper 2: Prose (1hr 15mins, 20%)

Paper 3: Poetry (2hr 15mins, 30%)

Non-examined assessment: One extended comparative essay (20%)

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

Writer, journalist, law, politics, careers of conscience such as working for a charity, public relations, teacher, academic, content provider, media, work in theatre and entertainment.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/english-literature