English Language and Literature

Course summary

English Language and Literature A Level is the perfect subject for you if you love reading and analysing literary works but are also fascinated by language in all its forms. English Language and Literature A Level will introduce you to a wide variety of texts to examine from both a literary and linguistic viewpoint. A selection of poetry, novels, and dramatic texts, such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, are studied in conjunction with a multitude of non-literary material, such as media-based writings. There is also a creative writing strand to the course, in which students study a novel together and are tasked with re-writing an extract. The subject is assessed through exams and independent coursework, for which students choose their own texts and topics to investigate. This course is ideal for anyone wanting to study English at a higher level or wanting a career in any communications-led field, such as journalism, publishing, marketing or education.