English Language and Literature

A Level

A Level English Language and Literature is a lively, thought- provoking, and stimulating course where you’ll develop your ability to voice your opinions whilst also building on your own creativity. This is a well-respected A Level which builds key skills, from academic writing to communication and critical analysis, meaning that it supports a wide range of career ambitions.

You will have the opportunity to study novels, poetry and plays, along with the study of non-fiction, spoken and written texts to understand the concerns of the writers at that time, and the methods they use to create a reaction from their audience. This broad course also provides you with the opportunity to write creatively. The topics you study will build on your GCSE studies and expand your ability to discuss and develop your love of language and literature.

Specific requirements

You’ll need to meet the entry criteria for your chosen pathway.

For more information about the pathways, please click here.

Your learning experience

Topics you will study include:

• Studying texts such as The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
• Exploring poetry including selected poems by Carol Ann Duffy
• A creative writing project

An enriching experience

Studying A Level English Language and Literature at HNC is an enriching experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and interests, broadening your horizons and building your cultural capital. These experiences are integral to life at HNC and will help you to stand out from the crowd. Some of the experiences our A Level English students enjoy include:

  • Taking part in lunchtime enrichment opportunities such as Book Club and Creative Writing
  • Having short stories published in national anthologies via Young Writers
  • Participating in inspirational and valuable guest workshops and university lectures

Enlightening opportunities

We are proud of the unique experiences that are available to our students both inside and outside of the classroom. Our subject specialists will instil in you a love for learning, and challenge you to develop the required skills you’ll need to achieve the life-changing qualifications that will lead you to your dream career.

During your lessons you will enjoy exploring writers’ techniques, sociolinguistic theory and a range of genres of texts – and your lessons involve plenty of discussion, debate and working with others. You’ll hone your public speaking skills, work on your communication skills, written techniques and ultimately broaden your horizons.

How will you be assessed?

This course is assessed via examination and coursework.

Where does it lead?

English Language and Literature is a traditional subject which is valued highly for the transferable skills it develops; it is a well-respected qualification that supports a wide range of exciting destinations and careers. Of course, this subject has a natural link to careers such as Journalism, Teaching, Advertising, Human Resources, or even Law, as it develops a wide range of transferable skills including the ability to debate, and articulate your views. A Level English Language and Literature students recently progressed to university to study subjects such as:

  • English
  • English Literature
  • Law
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • History
Perfect pairings

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Good to Know
A Level English Language and Literature is one of the top five most popular A Levels choices and the skills developed in this course will be valuable in a range of careers and degrees.
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