English Literature A Level
St John's Catholic Comprehensive School
Rochester Road, GRAVESEND, Kent, DA12 2JW
Available start dates
Available start dates
Application Instructions
Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)
Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)
How to apply:
- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)
- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login
- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.
- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.
- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.
Course Summary
Why study English Literature?
Studying English Literature helps to sharpen your analytical skills. If you can take a text and find the themes plus connect it with other texts, theories and historical events, you are showing that you can handle complex ideas, search for patterns and interpret information in a wider context.
You will also develop your planning and research skills as well as gain knowledge of history, culture, philosophy and even human behaviour.
This course will enable you to develop literary analysis and creative skills. A love of reading is essential as you must read widely throughout the two year course.
Course Details
Modules Studied
Paper 1:
Literary Genres (40% of A Level)
You will study: Love through the Ages, which will include three texts: William Shakespeare – Othello; Poetry Anthology – AQA Pre-1900’s; Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte.
Paper 2:
Texts in Shared Context (40% of A Level)
You will study: Texts in Shared Context, which will include three texts; The Feminine Gospels - Carol Ann Duffy; The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood; Our Country’s Good - Timberlake Wertenbakerand.
Non-exam Assessment:
Theory and Independence (20% of A level)
Comparative Critical study of two texts, one of which will be pre-1900
One extended essay up to 3,000 words with a Bibliography.
How will it be delivered and assessed?
This qualification is linear, meaning that students will sit all of their A-level exams at the end of their A-level course (Year 13).
Paper 1: Love Through the Ages (40% of A Level) - Written exam: 3 hours – Open book.
Paper 2: Texts in Shared Context (40% of A Level) - Written exam: 2 hours 30mins – Open book
Non-exam Assessment: Comparative Critical Study: Texts Across Time (20% of A level) One extended essay up to 3,000 words with a Bibliography.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 5/BTEC Level 2 Pass or higher
Including
- Grade 5 in English Language
- Grade 6 in English Literature.
Your next steps...
A-level English Literature is a highly regarded degree across the world of Industry. It is well-respected and will open several doors for you in non-English careers.
English is good for any job that involves communication, writing and / or literary knowledge. These include:advertising and marketing,writing and journalism, law, consultancy, business,teaching, performing arts, academia, government, linguistics, foreign languages, media and design. You could even be a freelance writer, which is probably one of the world's most creative and exciting jobs!
Additional information
For more courses like this, check our courses page.