Useful Information
English Literature is a subject that helps students develop their enjoyment and understanding of literary texts and their contexts. It also enhances important skills such as analysis, evaluation, argument development, and effective communication. This subject provides a solid foundation for any university course and is highly valued by employers.
Students who have completed this qualification have pursued a wide range of courses and careers, including English at prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group universities. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy exploring both significant ideas and the intricate details found in literary writing. Most importantly, it is ideal for students who have a passion for reading, both independently and as part of a group.
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Course Overview
The course involves in-depth analysis of various prose, poetry, and drama texts. Students will study these texts in greater detail than at GCSE level and will examine the craft of the writer as well as the different contexts of the work. They will have ample opportunities to express their own views and engage in discussions, both verbally and in writing.
In the first year, students can expect to study a play, two novels (one classic and the other contemporary), and a selection of poetry. In the second year, students will further develop their knowledge with a piece of coursework based on two texts, allowing them to explore a theme, movement, author, or period in detail. Additionally, students will study a Shakespeare play in detail, along with an anthology of the best literary criticism. They will also delve into a range of poetry from a specific period in depth.
The Course is divided into four Components:
1. Drama: Students will study Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.'
2. Prose: Students will study two prose texts – Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and Toni Morrison's 'Beloved.' One is a well-known literary classic written before 1900, and the other is a well-regarded modern novel written during their own lifetime.
3. Poetry: In the first year, students will study a range of poetry from an anthology, 'Poems of the Decade,' exploring poetic form, meaning, language, style, and conventions. This will be revisited in the second year, along with the detailed study of Chaucer's 'The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.'
4. Coursework: Students will study two texts that will allow them to follow a theme, movement, author, or period. The final essay comparing two texts will be between 2,500 and 3,000 words long.
Students who enjoy reading, analyzing, and discussing novels, short stories, plays, poetry, and works of criticism, and are willing to express their views clearly and accurately in response to questions and tasks, as well as those who enjoy writing essays, will find this course enjoyable.
The five assessment objectives for English Literature test students' ability to:
1. Articulate informed, personal, and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.
2. Analyze ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.
4. Explore connections across literary texts.
5. Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.
The second year begins with coursework that represents 20% of the final grade. The course will culminate in three final examinations based on the texts studied and the analytical skills developed during the course. All the examinations are ‘open book,’ allowing students to take a copy of the texts into the examination.
The exam board for this A Level is Pearson Edexcel.
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Course Highlights
The College organizes educational experiences each year, including trips to The Globe, The National Theatre, and Chichester Festival, as well as talks and workshops from visiting speakers to help students contextualize their learning.
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Career Opportunities & Further Study
Many English A Level students choose to continue their studies at university. Those who pursue other disciplines benefit from the essay writing and analytical training, as well as the cultural insights gained from literary study.
English A Level is highly regarded by all universities and employers, and Russell Group universities particularly value it as part of their preferred qualifications profile.
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Assessment
English is seen as a key subject for students to develop their analytical skills through reading and writing. These skills are highly valued across all academic areas and this, in conjunction with the interesting and stimulating texts studied, leads to high student satisfaction levels and outstanding achievements.
The exam board for this A Level is Pearson Edexcel.
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Entry Requirements
Students wishing to include A Levels in their programme need to have (or expect to achieve) at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English at grade 5.
Students will need a satisfactory school reference and also meet the following minimum GCSE requirement:
Grade 5 in English Language and Grade 5 English Literature, if taken
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Web Category
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