English Literature PearsonEdexcel A level

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 23rd March 2026

Entry Requirements: an overall GCSE points score of at least 50 (including grade 4 or higher in both Mathematics and English Language) is required to enrol. You also need to qualify for each of the subjects (minimum 3) you wish to take - a GCSE grade 6 or higher (7 or higher for Mathematics and Music) is required. See our prospectus for full details.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

This is a varied and demanding course which prepares students for undergraduate study in either Literature, the Arts, law, journalism or the media. The overriding principles of the specification are the primacy of the written word and the importance of the Western literary canon, and there is a correspondingly serious emphasis placed upon reading, literary analysis, the awareness of different critical schools, and the centrality of private research: we expect all our Literature students to read widely, to plan and submit polished and professional written work, and to participate in class debate.

As part of this course, the texts listed below are studied. Additional materials such as specification highlights, support packs, critical reading and the Sixth Form English Guide are provided at the start of the academic year.

Year 12 set texts:

• Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002-11 (a selection of 20 poems are studied for the examination)

• Frankenstein

• The Handmaid’s Tale

• Dr Faustus

Year 13 set texts:

Revision of the above, with the addition of:

• Hamlet

• Donne: Selected Poems

• Two coursework texts: based on a taught module entitled ‘War of the Words’, but leading to the selection of two texts by the individual student (with support from the English Dept. and the Edexcel Coursework Advisory Service)

The full A level suite of papers is as follows:

Component 1: Drama. Externally assessed. Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Open book – clean copies of the drama texts can be taken into the examination. The Critical Anthology must not be taken into the examination. Total of 60 marks available – 35 marks for Section A and 25 marks for Section B. Two sections: students answer one question from a choice of two on their studied text for both Section A and Section B. 30% of the total qualification.

Component 2: Prose. Externally assessed. Written examination, lasting 1 hour 15 mins. Open book – clean copies of the prose texts can be taken into the examination. Total of 40 marks available. 20% of the total qualification.

Component 3: Poetry. Externally assessed. Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Open book – clean copies of the poetry texts can be taken into the examination. Total of 60 marks available – 30 marks for Section A and 30 marks for Section B. 30% of the total qualification.

Coursework. Internally assessed, externally moderated. One extended comparative essay referring to two texts. Advisory total word count is 2500–3000 words. Total of 60 marks available. 20% of the total qualification.

Grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature is required.

Please note that applicants must also meet our overall entry requirements of scoring at least a total of 50 points (simply add up all your GCSE grades) and achieving a Grade 4 or higher in both English Language and Mathematics.