Level 3
English Literature A Level
This course will enable you to analyse some of life’s greatest questions, and develop your critical thinking, analytical, and creative skills, while enjoying and exploring some of the greatest classic and modern works of Literature….
Quick info
- Qualification
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- Awarding Organisation
- OCR
- Course type
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- Duration
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- Centre
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- Course level
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- Course code
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- Dates
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Course overview
This course will enable you to analyse some of life’s greatest questions, and develop your critical thinking, analytical, and creative skills, while enjoying and exploring some of the greatest classic and modern works of Literature. It links well with History, Politics, Sociology, English Language, Media Studies, and Film Studies.
How to apply
Find out more about our A Level pathways and how to apply
Who is this course for?
This course is for 16-18 year olds who enjoy reading and are interested in all forms of literature – prose, plays and poetry. If you enjoy engaging in discussion and writing both academically and creatively, this course is for you.
What you’ll learn
In Year 1 you will study the history and development of comedy drama, and the development of the genre conventions and sub-genres such as romantic comedy, parody, satire, and Shakespearian ‘transvestite’ comedies. We also explore the philosophy of comedy as well as schadenfreude and the dark and cruel side of the genre. The set texts are The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, and an anthology of comic poetry.
In Year 2 we study the history and development of crime writing, and the development of the genre conventions and sub-genres such as true crime, police procedural novels, psychological and serial killer thrillers, and golden age and hard-boiled detective novels. We also explore the philosophy of crime writing – why do we seem to have an endless appetite for stories about crime, bloodshed, violence and murder? The set texts are The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by the ‘Queen of crime’ Agatha Christie, When Will There Be Good News by the modern feminist writer Kate Atkinson, and a range of poetry in the crime genre.
Entry requirements
5 x GCSEs at grade 4 and above including GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 and above plus a grade 5 in English Literature.
We will invite you to a course information meeting event where you will receive information, advice and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure we can support to be able to achieve well on the course. Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria. All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference / school report.
At course information meeting you will be able to discuss the Pathways for A Levels and look at combinations.
We will ensure you are of the specific entry requirements at GCSE grade per A Level subject as some subjects will require higher than grade 5.
Future career and study
After studying English Literature A Level you could progress to university to study literature, journalism, creative writing, teaching or any other course which requires excellent oral and written communication skills.
Additional costs
This course is free to anyone aged 16-18. There is no formal list of additional costs. However, if you are on a limited income, you may be eligible to receive help with these costs from our Learner Support Funding Bursary.