English Literature (AS/A Level 3)

Applications Open – 3PM Thursday 6 November 2025

Applications Close – August 2026

Entry Requirements – For Level 3 courses, students must have 5 or more Grade 4s at GCSE. No minimum entry for Level1/2 courses

How to Apply – Please apply via KentChoices

Engage in debate covering cutting edge and controversial issues generated through drama, poetry and prose. Closely analyse texts examining form, language and theme. Become a critic, persuading readers of the wonder of the text.

Join the longest debate in civilisation . . . Plato wanted to ban poets . . . States try to suppress writers . . . Literature is dangerous.

Think you can handle it? Be warned: it changes people.

AS Level

AS level consists of two examined components. The first examined component focuses on Shakespeare and Poetry Pre-1900. The second component explores Post-1900 drama and prose. Both exams enable candidates to explore individual works of literature, relationships between texts and significant cultural and contextual influences.

A Level

A Level consists of two examined components and one coursework component. The two exams are equally weighted and offer opportunities for candidates to provide extended exploratory written responses. The first examined component focuses on drama and poetry pre-1900. The second examined component 'Comparative and Contextual Study' will offer the candidates the opportunity to study text thematically linked.

A Level also includes a coursework component worth 20% of the final award. Candidates are required to study three texts from across the genres of poetry, drama and prose. Task one is a recreative piece with a commentary and task two is a 'linked text' essay, focusing on connections and comparisons between two texts.

Study during the course will include: extensive reading and analysis of set texts, background reading and research, note taking, summaries, debate, discussion, presentation, extended essay writing and independent thinking.

4-5 GCSEs at C or above in different subjects.

Most careers involve written communication. The obvious examples include advertising, marketing, writing, journalism, proofreading, copy editing, law, consultancy, business, teaching, performing arts, academia, government, linguistics, foreign languages, media and design. However, careers in the sciences, engineering, technology and maths also require the ability to write proposals, academic papers and articles and communicating with others is key to getting funding for projects and reaching people with your work.