English Literature

Course summary

You will learn about the multifaceted nature of the human condition by reading some of the greatest works of literature ever written. Throughout history, the great obsessions of humankind have been explored in the form of literature, and issues of love, death, and the meaning of life are ingrained in the very fabric of the novels, poems, and plays featured in this course. Students study texts representing a range of periods, from the Elizabethan era, the Industrial Revolution, and to the 21st century, and learn the value of critical and analytical approaches. You will sit three written exams at the end of year 13, and this accounts for 80% of your overall grade. You will also write an independent non-exam assessment, worth the final 20%, in which you choose the texts to focus on and even create your question. Guidance and support is offered throughout Year 12 and 13 on the construction of your coursework. Students will have curiosity and enthusiasm for literary debate. They will probably be interested in many aspects of popular culture and enjoy reading, but more than this, they will like thinking and talking about how writers have crafted their texts, through the ages, to convey their ideas. Students naturally progress to university courses following A-level English Literature, and the qualification would stand you in good stead to take an English Literature degree or degree in journalism, philosophy, politics, or creative media. Employment opportunities would be any career path that requires higher levels of communication, such as in the heritage sector; media; politics, teaching, and publishing.