International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language and Literature Diploma

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 27th February 2026

Application Details: At Hartsdown Academy we run the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme https://www.ibo.org/programmes/career-related-programme/ . Prospective students need to choose 1 Vocational Course (BTEC or OCR) and 2 IB Diploma Courses.

Entry Requirements: 5 x Grade 4-9 including Maths & English. A good attendance and behaviour record is also essential.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

The Language and Literature course introduces the critical study and interpretation of written and spoken texts from a wide range of literary forms and non literary text-types. These text types include traditional novels and playforms as well graphic novels, short stories, speeches and documentaries.

Students will feel connected to current and historic global issues that are explored by writers through different mediums, time periods and global regions - they will study key concepts and challenge perceptions. Students will become better communicators and more worldly aware.

In Year 12, students will focus on their coursework elements. They will study both literary and non-literary works in order to prepare for their independent oral examination as well as study texts from different time periods ready for their higher level essay. Titles and foci for these assessments are set by students, giving them autonomy over their areas of interest.

In Year 13, students will prepare for their two examinations. They will study a range of literary texts ready to compare in paper 2 and non-literary forms ready for their unseen paper 1 exam.

Across both years, students will have the opportunity to engage with texts focusing on gender representation, identity, the effects of oppression, anti-Semitism and racism and will explore how these concepts relate to us as global citizens.

Time and Space
Studies focus on the experience of both fictional and real people in the space they occupy. We will consider contextual factors and how they affect writers.

Intertextuality
How genre and stories can change and shift over time and how do they compare?

Readers, writers, texts
Studies focus on varied text types and how we respond to those texts.

Formal examination - two essay papers, one requiring the analysis of unseen literary and non-literary text, and the other a comparative response to a question based on two literary works studied.

Paper 1 = 25%

Paper 2 = 35%

Oral assessment - Students also perform an oral activity presenting their analysis of a literary work and a non-literary body of work studied.

20%

Extended Essay - HL students will complete an additional written requirement which consists of writing a 1200 - 1500 word essay on one of the works or bodies of work studied.

20%

5+ English and Maths and 3 subjects at Grade 4+

This course taken alongside other subjects can lead to higher education and/or apprenticeships.

Degree courses such as;

• BA Hons in English
• BA Hons in English Literature
• BA Hons in English and Drama
• BA Hons in Education and English Literature
• BA Hons in Journalism
• BA Hons in Journalism Studies
• BA Hons in Creative Writing and Journalism
• BA Hons in Creative Writing and Publishing
• BA Hons in Creative and Professional Writing

Potential careers;

• Journalism
• Teaching
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Media Analyst
• Editor