English Literature - A Level

Course Information

Course TypeLevel 3

Duration2 Years

Awarding BodyAQA

What does the course involve?

A Level English Language is the study of how language works, why we use it in different ways, and how it shapes our identities, relationships and society. It is very different from GCSE English Language: rather than focusing mainly on comprehension and creative writing, you will learn to analyse language as a linguist, using specialist terminology, theories and research.

Throughout the course, you will explore everything from everyday conversations and social media to how children learn to speak, why language changes over time, and how factors such as gender, occupation, region and social groups can influence the way we communicate.

You will:

Develop a wide range of linguistic terminology and methods to analyse spoken, written and multimodal texts.
Explore language and identity, including how language varies according to gender, region, social groups and occupation.
Investigate how language is used in different situations and contexts and how people adapt the way they communicate.
Study children’s language development, exploring how children learn to speak, read and write.
Explore language diversity and change, including accents, dialects, new words and changing attitudes towards language.
Analyse different representations of people, groups, events and ideas in texts.
Explore debates and attitudes surrounding the English language.
Complete your own independent Language Investigation on an area of language that interests you.
Produce a piece of Original Writing with an accompanying commentary for your non-examined assessment (NEA).

By the end of the course, you will be able to look at everyday language in a completely different way; questioning who is communicating, how, why, and what their language reveals about them and the society they live in.

Entry Requirements

Standard Entry Requirements, plus:

Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.

Can I take additional qualifications?

If you choose to study English Literature, you will usually take it alongside two other A levels. Subjects which complement English Literature include: Drama and Theatre Studies, History, Media Studies, Modern Languages and Sciences.

How will I be assessed?

Through examination (80%) and one non-examinable assessment (20%).

What are the costs?

There are no charges to study this course. However, there may be some costs for trips and – although all course texts are available from the LRC on long term loan – you may wish to buy your own copies.