English Literature & Language

Applications Open: 5th December 2025

Applications Close: 31st January 2026

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSE grades of 4 or above of which must include English & Maths. Then individual subject criteria

Science and Maths - require level 7 in subject to study (plus 6 in maths for science subjects)

Most other courses require level 6 to study

The combined Language and Literature course is an exciting opportunity if you enjoy both analysing literary texts and are interested in producing your own examples of fiction and non-fiction writing. You will work collaboratively with others, having opportunities to be an independent, active learner, yet at the same time knowing that you are supported by our teaching and commitment to your achievement.

Component 1: Voices in Speech and Writing

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes. Open Book. 40% of the total qualification

Section A One comparative essay on an unseen text and one text from a pre-studied anthology

Section B Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire – one essay question based on an extract

Component 2: Varieties in Language and Literature

Written examination: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Open Book. 40% of the total qualification

Section A: One essay question based on a chosen theme

Section B: A comparative essay on two texts ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Othello’

Possible themes are: Society and the Individual, Love and Loss, Encounters and Crossing Boundaries

Possible texts studied are: Great Expectations (Dickens), The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald), The Bone People (Hulme), Othello (Shakespeare), Enduring Love (McEwan), Betrayal (Pinter), The Bloody Chamber (Carter), Wuthering Heights (Bronte), Dracula (Stoker), North (Heaney)

NEA (Coursework). 20% of the total of the qualification

Assignment 1: two pieces of original writing – one piece of fiction writing and one non-fiction

Assignment 2: one analytical commentary reflecting on the pieces of writing produced

Word count: 2500 – 3250 (to include both assignments)

Students will study existing literary texts before constructing their own – for example the theme of ‘places’ might involve students exploring texts such as ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier and the travel writing of Bill Bryson.

Students will need to have a grade 6 in either English Language or English Literature GCSE.