English Literature AS Level and A Level
If you love reading and want to explore the secrets of writing, this could be the course for you!
English Literature
English Literature encourages you to become an independent, critical reader and to engage with texts from a wide range of periods and cultures. You should be aware that the course requires a lot of reading, both in class and independently. Most of the assessment is based on the ability to write good essays.
Studying literature develops analytical and creative skills, improves fluency and precision in written and spoken English, and deepens your understanding of historical, social and cultural contexts. Class debates, close analysis, and independent study will also enhance your confidence in critical thinking and essay writing.
Course Requirements
- A good GCSE grade in the English Language (Grade 7 or above)
- GCSE English Literature is recommended but not essential.
- Students should be prepared for a significant amount of independent reading and extended essay writing.
Course Content and Learning
In year 12, you will study all three major literary forms – Drama, Prose and Poetry – along with an Unseen component, engaging with a wide selection of texts across different periods and perspectives. For example:
- Drama: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
- Prose: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
- Poetry: Sylvia Plath, Selected poems from Ariel, 1965
In Yr13, you will revisit and extend their study of Drama, Prose, and Poetry, with more demanding texts and a greater emphasis on literary theory. Students engage with perspectives such as Feminism, Marxism and Structuralism, applying these to their reading including the study of key authors such as;
- Jane Austen
- Thomas Hardy
- JM Coetzee
- Geoffrey Chaucer
Course structure
AS English is taken as a single 1 year qualification with 2 exams in the summer.
Following this, students can progress to A2 English if they wish. The marks from AS are carried forward and make up 50% of the full A Level course.
Progression
English Literature is highly valued by universities and employers. It supports progression into:
- Degree-level study in English, Humanities, Law, Media, or related fields
- Careers in education, publishing, journalism, marketing, law, communications and beyond
Exam board
Cambridge International (CIE):
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