English Language and Literature - A Level (OCR)

A Level English Language and Literature immerses you in a range of texts from literary and non-literary genres, such as fiction, drama, poetry, journalism, autobiography, diaries, letters, speeches and television scripts.

You will explore and compare how writers and speakers use language and structure to express their thoughts and feelings, and how language choices are influenced by the context, audience and purpose.

You will develop an analytical approach to language, including a systematic understanding of grammar, vocabulary, sound and structure. The course will also develop your creative writing skills.

Topics covered can include:

• Exploring Non–Fiction and Spoken Texts
• The Language of Poetry and Plays
• Reading as a Writer, Writing as a Reader
• Independent Study – Analysing and Producing Texts

By the end of the course you will be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to respond in a personal and considered way to both literary and non-fiction texts
• An ability to recognise literary, stylistic and linguistic features of written and spoken material
• An ability to express themselves with clarity, coherence, conciseness and precision
• A command of the language appropriate for literary and linguistic analysis
• Some familiarity with aspects of literary heritage
• Knowledge of individual works studied and, where appropriate, relationships between them
• An ability to comment on the language, content, structure, meaning and significance of written and spoken material studied
• Awareness of the effects of technique and style employed by writers and speakers
• An ability to structure analyses and arguments in a sustained and logical way, and to
• Support them with precise and relevant examples.
• Expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways
• An ability to use a range of techniques to produce and evaluate texts from different audiences and purposes, informed by wider reading

You will need to meet the minimum entry criteria, plus: 

• Grade 6 in one of these: History, Geography, Humanities, English Literature, Business, Media Studies, Religious Studies, Drama, or Film Studies. If you have a grade 6 in English Language, you only need a grade 5 in one of these subjects.

Please click here to see the minimum entry requirements.

Assessment is by exam (80%) and coursework (20%). Assessment in both the exams and coursework is by a combination of essay-based tasks and creative tasks.

A Levels are widely regarded as the standard entry qualification for top universities in the UK, and the rest of the world. Many of our students go onto study for a degree at the university of their choice, with some choosing to progress into apprenticeships or other employment.