A level English Literature

What do I need to know or to be able to do before taking this course?

We would normally expect you to have passed with at least a grade B in both English and English Literature at GCSE.   A keen enthusiasm for reading, thoughtful curiosity about literature and the enjoyment of discussion are the best qualifications to study at this higher level. 

The course we will follow, outlined below, is AQA’s  (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) Specification A.

 

What will I learn on the AS-level course?

There are three units of study (modules), for which you will study a minimum of four English texts in your lessons with two members of staff this year.  You should find that the work is similar to, and builds on, your studies for GCSE Literature.  In all units the precise choice of text from those prescribed in the subject specifications will be made by your teachers.   At the end of this year, in June, you will be assessed in all three units.

Unit 1 :  The Modern Novel

You will study one novel written since 1950.  You will be assessed for this unit in a one hour closed book (i.e. without a copy of the text) examination.

Unit  2  :  Shakespeare

You will study one play by Shakespeare.  This unit will be assessed by a one hour open book examination, or more usually by written coursework, at the discretion of staff.

Unit 3 :  Texts in Context

You will study a poetry text and a drama text (play), one of which will have been written before 1900.  This unit will be assessed in a two hour open book examination.

During both years of the A level course there will be opportunities for students to attend  relevant Conferences, Day Schools and the theatre.

 

What will I learn on the A2-level course?

During this second year you will study a minimum of four further texts in three further units of study.  As  for AS-level, text choices will be made by individual teachers.

Unit  4 : Texts in Time 

You will study a pre-1900 poetry text and a pre-1770 drama text.  The assessment will be a 2 hour closed book examination.

Unit  5 : Literary Connections

This unit requires the comparative study of two texts, one of which must be prose.  This unit will be assessed by a one and a half hour open book examination, or more usually by written coursework, at the discretion of  staff.

Unit  6 : Reading for Meaning

Reading for this unit will be based on the theme War in Literature, with specific reference to literature written about and during the First World War.  This unit will be assessed during a three hour exam when you will be required to answer questions on unprepared (unseen) prose, poetry, drama and non-fiction texts from before and after 1900.

 

Where might this subject take me?

English Literature is very widely offered at universities, both as a single subject and in conjunction with other subjects, e.g. modern languages, history, philosophy, psychology, American studies, media studies, and so on.  The analytical nature of the study of English Literature is regarded, as is history, as good preparation for a law degree; the subject clearly complements the study of modern languages and the other humanities/arts, and many medical schools are inclined, these days, to see a combination of Biology, Chemistry and arts subject(s) as ideal.

English is a versatile subject to have studied; its value widely recognised by employers.  The skills of close reading, analysis, understanding and manipulation of language, construction and illustration of an argument, are useful in an enormously wide variety of careers, not only the most obvious ones of journalism, advertising, the media, teaching, etc.  English graduates may be found pursuing careers in areas as diverse as politics, finance, theatre, management and law: the possibilities are myriad.