Edexcel
English Literature at A Level continues developing the skills and interests you have gained in studying English Literature at GCSE. Recognised as one of the four core ‘facilitating subjects’ by Russell Group universities, the study of Literature opens doors to a wide variety of further courses and jobs. Like your GCSE course, A Level English Literature will teach you how to read closely, think critically and write convincingly.
What’s the point of English Literature?
It makes you better in so many ways. Not only will your communication skills improve, but also so will your analytical abilities, your understanding of human culture, growing your critical awareness and ability to structure sound arguments.
What will the course involve?
Reading is an integral aspect of the course but it’s structured and accessible. You may not have a poetry collection on your bedside table at home, but a willingness to explore a range of texts will help.
Throughout the two years, you will study an exciting range of poetry, prose and drama. Most of the course is examined at the end of two years but, in the Upper Sixth, there will also be a coursework element worth 20% of the final mark, which will reinforce university skills of research and editing. You will learn how to analyse a text like a professional literary critic and how to express your insights convincingly. You will think about language, structure, the context in which a text was written and the context in which you read it, and how texts compare with other works. You will be involved in lively discussions and debates in class and will have the opportunity to argue the case for your own personal interpretations in your essays.
There is a particular focus on the historical, political and cultural contexts of Literature, which will be of interest to students of History, Politics, Philosophy, Drama and Psychology who will enjoy making links between different disciplines. You will also have the opportunity to attend the Lower Sixth Seminar Series (unique to the English Department), which will range far beyond the specification and give you a fun foretaste of university-style learning.
Where can English Literature take you?
English Literature A Level is widely respected and students at Denstone who took Literature have gone on to study a wide range of courses at some of the best universities in Britain: Law, and History, at Cambridge; Anthropology at Exeter; as well as Psychology, Spanish, and Medicine. It will also help you in the workplace as it builds interpersonal skills, which are vital to business relationships.
Requirements to study
We would expect potential A Level students to have gained at least a grade 6 in English Literature at GCSE.