English Language and Literature - A Level (AQA)

English Language and Literature allows you to grow your understanding of language, as well as studying works of literature in greater depth than before, such as novels, plays, and poetry. You will think critically and analytically about the texts you are studying, thinking about the meaning and influence of them. The course covers three areas - telling stories, exploring conflict and making connections - covered across a mixture of coursework assignments and exams.

The texts offered for study for the English Literature part of this course range from the 16th century to the present day, covering a wide area of subjects. Texts covered may include:

• Texts on Paris, France
• Novels, such as Frankenstein, Dracula, The Handmaid's Tale or The Lovely Bones
• Poets, such as John Donne, Robert Browning, Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy
• Drama, such as Othello, All My Sons, A Streetcar Named Desire or The Herd
• Creative writing, such as The Great Gatsby, The Kite Runner, Into The Wild or The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

You will need:

• Three GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English Language, plus two further GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths
• If your English Language GCSE is at grade 5, one of your three GCSEs at grade 5 or above must be a literary subject (e.g. History, Business Studies, Sociology, Geography)
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that A Levels are suitable for them.

Please be aware that as this subject includes coursework, as well as a public exam set by the exam board, you will only be permitted to have a choice of one other subject which includes coursework. Your third subject choice must be an exam-only assessed subject. For example, you would not be permitted to take English Language & Literature, History and Media as these all include coursework.

When applying for an A Level programme at Westminster Kingsway, please refer to the general entry requirements on our A Level Courses page as well as the subject-specific details listed above.

During the 1st year, there will be 5 formal internal assessments that you will need to pass in order to progress into the 2nd year. At the end of the 2nd year, there are three public examinations.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

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 on to study for a degree at the university of their choice, with some choosing to progress into apprenticeships or other employment.

Click here to see some of the teachers that teach A Levels at the college