A Level English Literature

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - 31st March 2026

Entry Requirements: - Our Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the 'A' Level Pathway (in addition to some individual subject entry requirements) and 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the Vocational (BTEC) Pathway. The course information gives specific details of course content and entry requirements. Please also refer to the Sixth Form Prospectus for the specific entry requirements for the chosen subjects.

Students need to select the equivalent of 3 A Levels or more. (Triple BTEC counts as 3, Double BTEC counts as 2). Subjects are grouped into option blocks, please be aware that not all combinations are possible.

In addition to academic requirements stated above a place will be dependent on the receipt of a satisfactory school reference.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Kent Choices if you area a student from another school.

Please visit our website www.stanselmscanterbury.org.uk for more information.

This course is based on an A2 coursework and examination mix studied over two years, with both the A2 coursework and examination being delivered in Y13. We have carefully selected the texts and a path through the course which we believe will most engage our students and enable them to achieve most highly.

This is a course which expects that students are independent learners, who are keen to research theories and critical ideas themselves, and who are not afraid to suggest and explain their own theories. Students will be expected to contribute to lessons through discussions and group activities, as well as to investigate ideas at a deep level by developing their individual, academic essay writing skills, reflectively.

It is vital for all students who wish to do this course that they are active, independent readers, or at the very least want to independently engage in reading again before the course starts. Non-readers need not apply.

The elements of the course are as follows.

• Love Through the Ages The key texts are “Othello”, poetry from an anthology published by AQA, “The Great Gatsby” and a study of unseen poetry.
• Texts in Shared Contexts: WW1 and its Aftermath The key texts are “Regeneration”, “My Boy Jack” and “The War Poetry of Wilfred Owen”, plus a study of unseen prose.
• Independent Critical Study: Texts Across Time End of Year 12 until Year 13 Easter. Students choose two literary texts from any form or genre for a comparative study; one of the texts must be pre-1900.

Examinations

• Section A: A detailed analysis and essay based on an extract from “Othello”.
• Section B: A comparative question based on unseen love poetry.
• Section C: A comparative question based on the AQA anthology and “The Great Gatsby”.

• Section A: An essay question based on “Regeneration”.
• Section B: A comparative question based on “My Boy Jack” and “The War Poetry of Wilfred Owen”, plus a compulsory question on an unseen prose extract linked thematically to the study of these texts.

• Independent Critical Study: Texts Across Time

Comparative critical study of two texts chosen by the student (and studied independently). The student produces an extended essay (2500 words) and a bibliography.

Five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above including Grade 4 or above in GCSE English Literature.
Students must be active and independent readers of literary prose; this is an essential requirement for the coursework task and students must be used to engaging with texts at a high level.

Where can this course take me?

Law, Journalism, Teaching (both primary and secondary), Social Work, Librarian, Research, Media.
AQA English Literature is one of the A-Levels recommended for Russell Group applicants.