English Literature

Course Details

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Staff Contacts: Ms C Lovell; Mrs D Booth; Mrs C Cooper

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Key features of the course

This course involves reading a wide variety of texts from a range of genres. Throughout the course critical debate will be encouraged and you will be required to develop your own interpretations of texts informed by literary criticism from a range of perspectives.  This will enhance your ability both to read critically and to express your ideas effectively, using literary terminology and a coherent structure.

Across the 2 years, you will explore prose, drama and poetry texts, which includes a Shakespearean play, a comedy play, a range of post 1900 and modern poetry and 2 novels. You will be introduced to all 5 of the assessment objectives and will practice analysing language at the required depth and with reference to social context and critical debate.

You will also complete an independent essay for which you will select two texts that interest you, in consultation with your teacher, and will write a comparative essay based on a theme that both texts have in common.

Entry Requirements:

At least five GCSEs at Grade 4 with a minimum of a Grade 6 in English Language and Literature.

What could this course lead on to?

Students of English Literature go on to pursue careers in a wide range of fields. Some of the most popular are journalism and other areas of the media, teaching, publishing, law, copywriting, arts administration, HR, marketing and public relations.

English Literature has a range of transferable skills, including critical reasoning, debating skills, constructing an argument and interpreting a variety of sources. These will be valuable for a rage of degree courses and potential careers.

Future prospects and careers

English Literature is a facilitating subject, which means universities look favourably on it when selecting students for a wide range of subjects. Any subject that requires students to read at length, including non-literary texts, or to write at length, will consider an A level in English Literature as good preparation.  Degrees in English, history, law, and a range of social sciences and humanities subjects, as well as media focused courses, are all popular among students with A levels in English Literature.

What type of student is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone who enjoys reading and is happy to do so in their own time; most of the reading for this course will be done independently. A critical and analytical mind is also a requirement as you will need to deconstruct the texts we study and convey your analyses of them in an appropriately academic written style. It is also important to be willing to discuss and debate ideas in small groups.