AS Level English Language and Literature enables students to reach a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary forces that have influenced the literary and linguistic heritage of the English language. Much of the reading for the course will be guided, but you will also be expected to undertake some reading in your own time. The course will encourage and develop skills necessary to analyse the ways that spoken English is represented in both literary and non-literary contexts. This will enable you to work towards a wider understanding of the way that language functions as a medium of communication; as a consequence, you will improve your own skills of analysis and self-expression. We hope that you will feel challenged and entertained on your journey towards this destination.

Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

This course is of particular interest to those who enjoy reading literature and would like to explore their own capacity for creative writing. If you need to know more to help you decide whether this is the course for you, please see the AQA website (tinyurl.com/55x23b).

Entry Requirements

You should have a minimum of 5 appropriate GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English Language at grade B or higher. Ideally, you will also have a pass in English Literature at a similar level, though this might not be necessary if you have achieved passes at grade C or better in other relevant GCSE subjects. A GCSE in your home or first language, other than English, cannot be counted as one of the 5 qualifying GCSEs.

About the course

The A Level programme includes weekly group tutorials and regular one-to-one tutorials with your personal tutor. All students will have functional skills sessions or critical thinking sessions.

The course follows the AQA syllabus 2720 (specification A) and will encourage an interest in literary studies through the reading and critical analysis of three literary works. Both years of the course will involve the analysis of texts and language. In the first year you will analyse two texts, and in the second year three texts (two of which will be related to a significant piece of coursework). Comparative analysis will form the basis of the coursework. The third text will build on your skills of creative writing and provide the stimulus for text adaptation. The A2 course will expand on speech and how it is represented in the three forms studied at AS.

How will I be assessed?

There is no coursework requirement for the AS year of this syllabus. Units are externally examined and questions will be set on three set texts, ranging across two examination papers as follows:

Paper 1: Literary and stylistic issues. You will be required to answer a question about one of your two set texts. The second question will require you to produce a piece of creative fiction in the style of the author of the second text you have studied.

Paper 2: Comparison and analysis. The first question will ask you to write about two extracts that you will not have seen before. The second question will require you to comment on the stylistic qualities of one of the books you have read as part of your course.

Paper 3: Comparative analysis and text adaptation. Three short unseen texts for comparison and a language production task: personal writing in prescribed style.

Paper 4: Comparative analysis through independent study. Coursework: compare two texts.

Students must supply their own texts. AQA specifies particular editions for study.

Where next?

Most of our A Level students apply to and are offered places at university, studying a wide range of courses which may include journalism, linguistics or creative writing. Many past students have become professional writers.

How to apply?

You cannot apply online for this individual A Level course. To apply, please go to the A Level Humanities Pathway Factsheet and click on Apply Now. You will then be asked to select up to 4 A Level subjects as part of a full-time programme of study. You may be able to change your A Level pathway and subject options when you enrol.