There’s no doubt, English Literature A Level can be challenging. It’s also an extremely rewarding and eye-opening subject though, that encourages new ways of looking at yourself and the world around you!
Because GCSE English Literature and Language are compulsory subjects in the UK, most people are familiar with roughly what English involves. But A Level study will test you in ways you’re not used to. It requires students to think deeply, explore original ideas and discuss their genuine responses to novels, plays and poems.
So, if you’re considering taking English Literature as one of your A Level subjects, here’s everything you need to know. We’ve answered the most commonly asked questions about the subject – so you can make your A Level choices with confidence.
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What is English Literature A Level?
Let’s start at the start. What exactly is English Literature A Level?
Well, at its simplest, English Literature involves studying poetry, prose and drama. You’ll cover various books, plays and poems from different time periods – including historical works (such as Shakespeare or Chaucer) and modern creations.
The subject asks students to think critically and write analytically about these texts. You’ll learn to appreciate texts for their intellectual ideas as well as the way they put words together in beautiful and surprising ways.
Each exam board has slightly different requirements, but (as well as exams) almost all A Level courses include coursework. This means you’ll have to write an extended essay (usually around 2,000 to 3,000 words), often comparing two texts of your choosing.
Take a look at some of the main exam boards for a better idea of their specifications:
How hard is English Literature A Level?
Now we’ve got a firmer idea of what’s involved, how hard is it to get a good grade in English Literature A Level?
English Literature might feel a bit different to other subjects you’re used to. There’s no textbook you can memorise that lets you apply formulas and rules to problems. While your teacher will help you approach books, poems and plays, it’s up to you to come up with ideas and responses to texts.
So, for students who prefer a more structured approach to learning, English Literature can feel challenging. It almost goes without saying, but you’ll also have to spend a fair amount of time reading outside of class.
Put simply, you’ve got to love the subject if you want to excel!
In terms of how many people achieve top grades, Schools Week report that 20% of students achieved an A* in 2021. This increased by almost a quarter from 2020, when 15.1% of students achieved an A*.
24% of students achieved an A in 2021, while another 28% were awarded B grades. Just over 19% reached a C.
So if you’re worried English Literature is too hard, don’t be! With dedicated work and genuine commitment, the top grades are more than achievable.
We’ve also created your ultimate guide for how to get all A*s at A Level (no matter what subject you’re studying), so check this out too.
How do I get an A* in my English Literature A Level exam?
If you’re hoping to be in the top 20% of students achieving an A* in their English Literature A Level – what’s the best way to go about it?
Here’s our five top tips for acing those exams…
- Get familiar with your assessment objectives: these will be different for each exam board, but they show you how examiners will judge your essays. This usually includes some mixture of subject terminology, personal analysis and understanding, historical context, spelling and grammar.
- Go into detail: Yep, it’s all about depth and detail in English Literature. While reading your chosen novels, poems and plays is great – you need to go deeper. What do other critics think of your texts? Are there any conflicting interpretations or reviews? Websites like Google Scholar and JSTOR are great places to start.
- Be original: Don’t let this scare you. If you’re focusing on your own responses to how language, characters and texts impact you – you’ll be well on your way to expressing original and authentic ideas. As long as you can back-up your points with quotes and scholarly interpretations, go for it!
- Make your argument clear: English Literature is all about your personal response to texts. So don’t be scared to make a clear and bold argument in your essays. This should always be obvious from the introduction, and feed through your entire essay.
- Prepare early: Just like any other subject, it always pays to start your revision prep early. For an A* at English Literature A Level, you’ll need to know your texts inside out. Last minute cramming isn’t really going to cut it. So start organising your revision on themes and quotes as early as possible. By the time it comes to exams, you’ll be feeling cool, calm and confident.
If you’re preparing for your English Literature A Level exams, read our step-by-step guide on how to organise your revision.
Which A Levels go well with English Literature?
English Literature is a wonderful complement to lots of A Level subjects.
For instance, if you love humanities – it could pair really nicely with subjects such as Psychology, Sociology, History, History of Art or Philosophy. These subjects would suit anyone thinking of studying similar courses at university level.
Nonetheless, English Literature also goes well with scientific A Levels (such as Biology or Chemistry) or more practical subjects such as Business and Economics. The combination of essay-writing skills and scientific or mathematical understanding shows you have well-rounded knowledge and talents. This would be particularly useful for careers in medicine, veterinary science, business or banking (to name just a few).
Is English Literature a respected A Level?
Absolutely! English Literature is held in high esteem for a whole variety of reasons.
We’ve already seen how the subject prizes original ideas, the ability to “think big”, clear written communication and independent research. These are all skills that are essential for university study and creative careers.
Of course, how “respected” a subject is, isn’t the same for everyone. For instance, a Theoretical Physics degree might place less emphasis on essay writing skills than Politics and International Relations.
Even so, given that almost every single job or academic course requires independent research, analytical skills and written reports in some way – English Literature will never be entirely irrelevant.
Where can English Literature A Level take you?
Studying English Literature at A Level can open the door to so many fascinating careers. Because English Literature encourages critical thinking and strong skills in written communication, it’s prized by university degree courses and jobs alike.
For instance, English Literature would be useful in careers as diverse as law, journalism, publishing, marketing, teaching, public relations and politics. Within these fields, you could work as a digital copywriter, an editorial assistant, magazine journalist, social media manager, a self-employed writer or academic librarian. The list goes on.
Really, the opportunities are only limited by your own ambitions. So ask yourself, where do you want to go?
If you’d like help with English Literature studies, get in touch with our friendly team today. We provide expert academic coaching services (across a whole range of subjects), to help students reach their full potential and ace their exams.
