A Level English Literature
ENGLISH LITERATURE
AQA Specification
Studying English literature will give you will a wide range of skills which will greatly enhance your university application. You learn how to analyse, interpret, compare and understand texts; how to construct an argument; the ability to evaluate the influence of various contextual factors and the ability to deal with unseen texts.
WHAT IS ENGLISH LITERATURE?
Many aspects of English culture that are expressed by English literature. This can be seen when studying the works of Shakespeare or of writers, poets and playwrights of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. You will learn about allusions and references to different aspects of English culture.
You will learn the context and meanings of famous quotes and phrases. Studying Literature does not confine you to the traditions of England, we will introduce you to the traditions which inform writing around the world, such as American literature.
WHY STUDY ENGLISH LITERATURE?
Studying English literature will give you will a wide range of skills which will greatly enhance your university applications. You learn how to analyse, interpret, compare and understand texts; how to construct an argument; the ability to evaluate the influence of various contextual factors and the ability to deal with unseen texts.
The skills you gain studying English literature are transferable to a wide range of degree courses, alongside English degrees you could also consider law, history, business and teaching courses. In the work place the skills you develop would benefit anyone who wishes to move up to management level. A number of employers in the finance and computing sectors look to employ students with an English background to tailor their existing skills into the industry.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
The AQA syllabus we follow allows you the freedom to choose some of the texts you study, and the opportunity to write creatively as a part of our course. You will get the chance to read widely, whilst being able to study a particular period in more depth. You will study contemporary texts, in addition to a comprehensive study of Shakespeare and the classic novelists of the nineteenth century.
Assessment
This course is assessed by extended response written question papers
GOOD SUBJECT COMBINATIONS
A Level English Literature touches upon many other subjects and disciplines. It complements particularly the following subjects:
Psychology, Government and Politics & History
RECENT A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE RESLTS AND STUDENT DESTINATIONS
| Cohort | % A* | %A*-A | %A*-B | |
| 2020 | 4 | 25% | 75% | 75% |
| 2019 | 3 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 2018 | 7 | 14 | 43% | 43% |
No students took English Literature in 2021
Examples of recent English Literature student destinations include:
University of Warwick to study Law
UCL to study History, Politics and Economics
Courtauld Institute of Art to study History of Art
