English Language and Literature A-Level

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

The Edexcel specification for A Level English Language and Literature encourages independent study of a range of texts designed to ensure the right balance and coverage of the two disciplines. This specification enables students to see how linguistic and literary methods are related and to explore these links in their work.

Component 1: Voices in Speech and Writing

Methods of language and literature analysis are integrated into the activities assessed. The examination consists of:

Section A: Voices in 20th and 21st century, comprising of one comparative essay question on one unseen extract selected from 20th or 21st-century sources and one text from the anthology

Section B: Drama Texts, comprising of one extract-based essay question on the chosen drama text

Open book – a clean copy of the prescribed drama text can be taken into the exam

Written exam: 2.5 hours

Component 2: Varieties in Language and Literature

Methods of language and literature analysis are integrated into the activities assessed. Students study a wide range of non-fiction texts on a theme chosen by their teacher in preparation for responding to an unseen text. In addition two literary texts from the same chosen theme, with one compulsory prose fiction text. The themes are: Society and the Individual; Love and Loss; Encounters and Crossing Boundaries

The examination consists of:

Section A: Unseen Prose Non-fiction Texts, comprising of one essay question on an unseen prose non-fiction extract. The unseen extract is linked to the studied theme

Section B: Prose Fiction and Other Genres, comprising of one comparative essay question on one prose fiction anchor text and one other text from a theme

Open book – clean copies of the prescribed texts can be taken into the exam

Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes

Non-exam assessment: Investigating and Creating Texts

Students will produce two assignments: Assignment 1: two pieces of original writing with one piece of fiction writing and one piece of creative non-fiction writing. Assignment 2: one analytical commentary reflecting on their studied texts and the pieces of writing they have produced

The total word count is 2500–3250 with 1500–2000 words for the original writing pieces and 1000–1250 for the commentary. Total of 60 marks available with 36 marks for the original writing and 24 marks for the commentaries.

Assessment is by two exams worth 80% sat at the end of year 13 with a 20% NEA component (non-exam assessment)

Grade 5/5 or higher in GCSE English Literature and Language.

Careers in the media, journalism, teaching, publishing and marketing are all well suited to an English degree. However, many other professional fields welcome candidates with a good honours degree in this subject.