English Literature A Level

NEW Applications for September 2026

Applications Open - Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close - Monday 5th April 2026 at 5pm

Entry Requirements - A minimum of six separately identifiable GCSE subjects at grade 6 or above, OR an average of grade 6 in the best six GCSE subjects achieved

At least a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics For most subjects at A Level, a grade 6 in the subject at GCSE is required. However, for A Level Mathematics a grade 7 is required, and for Further Mathematics a grade 8 is necessary

How to Apply - Applications can be made through Kent Choices

Please contact us directly if you have any questions - contact sixthformrecruitment@nks.kent.sch.uk

Open Evening

Thursday 15th January - 6pm - 8pm

Presentations at 6:30pm & 7:30pm

No booking necessary.

Open Mornings - Please visit our school website to book a slot for the open mornings www.nks.kent.sch.uk

Thursday 20th November 2025 9am - 12pm

Thursday 11th December 2025 9am -12pm

Please visit our website for information on consultation meeting if you would like to visit the school and talk to a member of the Sixth Form Team - https://www.nks.kent.sch.uk/page/?title=Sixth+Form+Admissions&pid=33

Studying English Literature will equip students with a variety of transferable skills such as; writing, analysis, applying context and reading for meaning. It will allow students to study a variety of texts in depth and explore the texts in their historical period and their importance to today's world​

Course overview:​​

Paper 1: Love through the Ages​​

You will focus on the theme of love and study a Shakespeare play, an anthology of poetry from Tudor times to the modern day and a novel​​

Paper 2: World War One and its aftermath ​​

You will study three texts linked by the theme of war. These will be in the form of poetry, drama and prose and come from a range of writers and perspectives from WW1 poets to contemporary writers such as Ben Elton and Pat Barker. ​​

NEA: Coursework​​

You will produce an essay of 2,500 words based on a study of two texts of your choice linked by theme. These can be prose, drama or poetry ranging from themes such as gothic, race, identity and dystopia.

Exam format:​​

Paper 1: Love through the Ages​​

3 hours written exam, comprises 40% of the A Level​​

Focuses on texts links through the theme of love including a Shakespeare play, modern prose and poetry​​

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Paper 2: World War One and its aftermath​​

2 hours 30 mins written exam. Comprises 40% of the A Level​​

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Study of three texts: one prose, one poetry, and one drama, of which one must be written post-2000​​

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NEA: Course work, comprises 20% of the A Level.​​

Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900​​

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A GCSE grade 6 in English Language and English Literature

Communication Studies, Creative Writing, English Language, English Literature, Journalism, Media Studies, Theatre Studies.