Why study English literature?
If you love reading and want to explore texts from a variety of time periods and genres, then this is the course for you. Students will be able to enjoy analysing poetry, drama and prose from a variety of critical viewpoints, debating and challenging different interpretations. You will have the opportunity to examine texts of your choice as well as developing critical responses to a wide variety of tragic and social/political literature. Opportunities to attend theatrical performances are also an integral part of the literature experience.
Level: A level
Board: AQA
Head of department:
Mr K Ferguson
Entry requirement: Grade 6 in English literature and grade 5 in GCSE English language; five grade 5s at GCSE including maths
How will A level English literature be delivered and assessed?
| Component | Topics covered | Assessment |
| Love through the ages | Shakespeare play, one prose, and one poetry text | 3-hour written exam (40%) |
| Comparison of how love is presented across time | ||
| Unseen poetry analysis | ||
| Texts in shared contexts: choice of WW1 and its aftermath OR modern times, 1945 to the present day | One prose, one poetry, and one drama | 2-hour and 30-minute written exam (40%) |
| Exploration of social, historical, political and literary context | ||
| Close reading and comparison of unseen prose | ||
| Independent critical study: texts across time | Comparative critical study of two texts | One 2,500-3,000 word essay (20%) |
