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English Literature, A Level

Marsh Academy, The

Station Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8BB

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Languages, Literature and Culture

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
The course commences at the start of the academic year.
The Marsh Academy
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.


How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:


If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.


Course Summary

Readers! This A-Level is all about books: reading books, analysing books, investigating and considering the contexts of books, comparing books, interpreting books . . . so a love of literature and a willingness to read beyond your usual preferences is essential.
You will study novels, plays and poetry from a range of genres and historical periods, and learn how to write essays about these texts in a sophisticated academic style.

Course Details

Component One: Drama (Written exam) 35%
We study the incredible Shakespearean tragedy, Hamlet – and consider some of the critical responses to its themes that have been written over the years.
We also study Tennessee Williams’ play, A Streetcar Named Desire enabling us to explore the tensions at play in post-war New Orleans.
Component Two: Prose (Written exam) 20%
We read the extraordinary Frankenstein written by a teenage Mary Shelley and compare this with Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale.
Component Three: Poetry (Written exam) 30%
We study selected poems from the tortured Christina Rossetti who struggled to find contentment in the Victorian age.
We look at a selection of contemporary poems written in the first decade of this century; these tackle modern issues such as gender identity and relationship trauma. Skills of poetry analysis are additionally examined through comparison with an unseen poem.
Component Four: non-examination assessment
Students produce an extended essay of 2500-3000 words comparing two texts of their choice
Choices must be complete texts and may be linked by theme, movement, author or period may be selected from poetry, drama, prose or literary non-fiction.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Component 1: Written exam: 2hrs 15 mins
Component 2: Written exam: 1hr 15 mins
Component 3: Written exam: 2hrs 15 mins
Component 4: Non examined assessment

Entry requirements

A minimum of grade 6 or above in English Literature GCSE in addition to the published entry requirements.

Equipment required

No specialist equipment required

Your next steps...

Through studying English Literature, students will gain a plethora of key skills, which will support both further education and employment opportunities. This course complements many other Advanced Level courses, due to the wide range of opportunities provided to develop both your analytical and communication skills. An A Level in English Literature could lead onto higher education in a variety of areas, including journalism: creative writing, teaching, or the media. Moreover, as English Literature is so highly regarded, it would be an excellent subject with which to demonstrate your abilities and knowledge to a prospective employer.

Additional information


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