A Level English Literature

A Level English Literature offers students opportunities to continue to engage in literary texts in an analytical and exploratory way. You will read a wide range of texts from different genres and time periods. Over the course, you will study eight texts from: drama, poetry and prose. You will hone your essay writing skills and lessons will be filled with thoughtful discussion and debate.

The study of English Literature opens your mind to the experiences of people from around the world. This subject will introduce you to some of the greatest works of English and world literature as it touches on all aspects of the human experience. Studying English Literature develops many skills in close reading, in-depth analysis of texts and writers’ intentions. English will help you to draw together studies in other areas and challenge you to think in alternative ways. It will also promote independent thought and develop the key skill of formulating arguments.

Drama: Hamlet – William Shakespeare & A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennesse Williams

Prose: Frankenstein – Mary Shelley & The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Attwood

Poetry: Poems of the Decade plus an unseen poem.

Victorian poet Christina Rossetti.

Two further texts are down to student choice.

Component 1: Drama 2 hour 15 minutes exam (30% of the course)

Component 2: Prose 1 hour 15 minutes exam (20% of the course)

Component 3: Poetry 2 hours 15 minutes exam (30% of the course)

Non-exam assessment: Independent critical study: (20% of the course)

To study English Literature at A Level, students must achieve a Grade 6 or above in GCSE English Literature.*

*Students with a Grade 5 in English Literature may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As well as continuing English at University, English is a subject which offers pathways onto many careers, including: journalism, publishing, teaching, marketing, advertising, communications, law, politics, media, theatre work and many more!