A Level in English Literature

Applications Open - Monday 27 October 2025

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply – Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Canterbury College

You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

English Literature enhances our knowledge of the world and develops a habit of critical thinking. It helps us to explore psychology and the human condition. More importantly, English Literature lets us explore opinions and empathy. This is a subject where readers are asked to step into someone else's shoes and identify with other people's emotions.

Throughout the two-year programme you will explore the literary genre of Tragedy, studying texts like 'Othello' by William Shakespeare and 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller, alongside a selection of poetry by John Keats.

In addition to Tragedy, you will be studying Elements of Policial and Social Protest Writing. The texts for study are 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini, 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' by William Blake, and 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood.

In the first year, there is no examination. You will only complete an internal assessment.

In the second year you will sit two exams based on the literary genres studied.

There is also a coursework module which will consist of two pieces of independently produced essays.

General entry requirements:

To study this A Level, you’ll need a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 or above across your top six subjects with at least a grade 5 or above in Maths and English Language or Literature.

Please note: your GPA average can include English and Maths.

Subject-specific entry requirements:

To study English Literature, you’ll need a grade 5 or above in English Language or Literature, and a grade 5 in at least one other written subject (e.g. History, Geography, Drama and Theatre, Business, Religious Studies etc).

English Literature students go on to work in journalism, broadcasting, publishing, writing, teaching, banking, marketing and project management among other professions.