English Language and Literature

Course summary

A-level English Language and Literature involves the study of a number of texts from the 20th Century. Currently, these are A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Poetry by Seamus Heaney, and The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. You’ll also study a whole range of short non-literary texts from an anthology set by the board. For your coursework, you’ll be able to choose your own texts to explore. By studying English Language and Literature you can apply for any English-based degree at any university. Students also apply for journalism, creative writing, marketing and teaching using their English A-level as a starting point. Our students go on to careers in teaching, publishing, HR, journalism, theatre management and advertising. But we also have former students of the department who are doctors, dentists and vets!