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English Literature

This course will help you to develop your interest in and enjoyment of literature and literary studies.

You will be introduced to the discipline of advanced literary studies and learn how to make informed personal responses to a range of texts. You will be presented with opportunities for reading widely and making creative and informed responses to each of the major literary genres of poetry, prose and drama.

As you progress, your studies will be extended in breadth and depth, developing and enhancing your techniques of analysis, evaluation and comparison of literary texts in the context of a wider range of texts of cultural and literary significance.

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language

What will I study?

Component 1: Poetry

  • Develop your ability to read widely and engage critically with a range of poetry from different times

Component 2: Drama

  • Explore the changing traditions of drama over time
  • Includes a focus on Shakespeare

Component 3: Unseen Texts

  • Synthesise, reflect and apply your knowledge and skills of literary analysis to the examination of unseen prose and unseen poetry texts
  • Approach in a personal and engaged way
  • Demonstrate your own critical skills

Component 4: Prose Study

  • Show knowledge and understanding of ways in which texts relate to one another and to literary traditions, movements and genres

How will I be assessed?

Component 1: Poetry

You will be assessed via an examination worth 30%.

Your close analysis and wider knowledge of your set texts with some focus on making connections between texts will be assessed.

Component 2: Drama

You will be assessed via an examination worth 30%.

Your close analysis of one set Shakespeare text and your study of a pair of plays and their connections will be assessed.

Component 3: Unseen Texts

You will be assessed via an examination worth 20%.

Your ability to find meanings and interpretations in both poetry and prose, while considering contextual factors and associated critical theory and reader response will be assessed.

Component 4: Prose Study

You will be assessed via a non-exam assessment with a focus on two prose texts by two different authors from two different periods. This is worth 20%.

Your consideration on how texts relate to each other and different cultural and contextual influences will be assessed.

What else can I get involved in?

For information on all our enrichment opportunities, please see our enrichment programme here.

Further Education and Careers in English Literature

Courses you could study at university include:

  • English Literature and Language
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Marketing
  • Media Studies
  • Sociology

Careers which require an English Literature qualification include:

  • Academic Librarian
  • Marketing Executive
  • Publishing Proofreader
  • Talent Agent
  • Web Content Manager
  • Writer

Preparation Work

You need to complete these tasks over Summer to prepare you for your studies.