Course at a glance

Examining Board: Edexcel
Next Examination Period: May / June 2023
Exam Specification Code: 9ET0
Coursework Element: Yes
Practical Element: No
Course Fee Includes: Online course materials and tutor support. Additional materials available at extra cost.
Standard Option: English Literature A Level 
Payment Options: Interest free instalment plans available

Edexcel A Levels are available for study anywhere in the world. Examinations can be taken at any registered examination centre in the world. It is recommended students check with examining centres that the chosen exam is available.

Introduction

This A level course is based on the Edexcel Advanced General Certificate Education; (A-GCE) Specifications for English Literature, which became available from 2015 examination series.

The Learning programme for the student, offers choice and scope in regards to the wider study of: Drama, Prose and Poetry. The course follows the core aims of the Edexcel framework, (students can also prepare with this material to sit the Edexcel Examination) which are to:

Define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding that will be needed by students planning to progress to undergraduate study at a UK higher education establishment, particularly (although not only) in the same subject area, for example English Literature.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Entry Requirements

Although the Fast Track A Level English Literature programmes build on the course content of GCSE, it is not necessary to have this qualification before undertaking an A-Level. However, in order to meet the demands of the course, it is recommended that candidates have literacy and communication skills equivalent to C or higher at GCSE. Please note that full tutor support is still provided throughout your course duration.

All students must be 16 years of age or above.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Course Duration

1 year.

Study Hours Required

Approximately 350 hours.

Awarding Body

Pearson Edexcel

Edexcel A Levels are available for study anywhere in the world. Examinations can be taken at any registered examination centre in the world. It is recommended students check with examining centres that the chosen exam is available.

Examination Information

Students are required to arrange and pay for their Fast Track A Level English Literature examinations and manage the course work element if the subject requires this. Students must check the relevant examination board website for further information and final examination sitting dates for the specification.

All examinations are held during the May / June exam period of every year.

 

Fast Track A Level English Literature Course Content

The whole ‘A’ level has THREE (3) specific themes which are presented in six easy to follow units of study, which are sub-divided into themes of learning, these are:

Fast Track A Level English Literature Units 1 & 2: – Drama

Students will study aspects of the form of drama via two plays. The central focus of the drama study is the literary text. Students will need to explore the use of literary and dramatic devices and the shaping of meanings in their chosen plays. Students study a tragedy or comedy drama by Shakespeare and another tragedy or comedy drama. Teaching and wider reading should address the significance and influence of contextual factors and engage with different interpretations of the chosen Shakespeare play. Students’ study of Shakespeare should be enhanced by engagement with critical writing. Teaching of this is supported by either Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Tragedy or Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Comedy, provided by Pearson free of charge.

 

Fast Track A Level English Literature Unit 3 & 4: – Prose

Students will study aspects of prose via two thematically linked texts, at least one of which must be pre-1900. Literary study of both texts selected for this component should incorporate the links and connections between them, and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Unit 5 & 6: – Poetry

Students will study a selection of poems from two published poetry texts. They will consider the concerns and choices of modern-day poets in a selection of contemporary poems. Students will apply their knowledge of poetic form, content and meaning, and develop their skills in comparing an unseen poem with an example of studied poetry. Students will also develop depth of knowledge about poetic style by studying a selection from the work of a single named poet, or a selection from within a literary period or movement. Literary study of the chosen set poems should be enhanced by study of the contexts in which they were written and received.

 

Fast Track A Level English Literature Coursework Submission

The Coursework element is in addition to the six internally marked assignments, one for each of the units being studied. Marking of this coursework is initially internal by the tutor, but is moderated and final graded by the Edexcel Examiner and included as part of the final outcome result for the A level qualification.

Coursework will be assessed via two texts. There are no prescribed texts but centres must select complete texts which may be drawn from poetry, drama, prose or literary non-fiction. Students must select different texts from those studied in Components 1, 2 and 3. The selected texts may be linked by theme, movement, author or period. Literary study of both texts should be enhanced by study of the links and connections between them, different interpretations and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Students will apply their literary reading skills to two chosen texts. They will engage in wider reading, use independent reading skills and apply research and study skills to their chosen literature. Teachers and students are offered a free choice of two texts (2) which should ideally reflect interests and preferences that have arisen as a result of the prescribed course and wider independent reading. Assignment choice one (1) extended comparative essay referring to two texts. Total advisory word count: 2500–3000.

Assessment

Awarding Body Syllabus

The course has an internally assessed course work element, which is marked by the tutor and externally moderated by Edexcel, prior to the formal examination sitting; this adds twenty percent (20%) to the outcome of final assessment by a THREE (3) unseen papers across the three syllabus components of learning, that amount to 5.45 hours sitting.

To ensure that the four assessment objectives are clearly placed and assessed prior to the final examination, the TMA’s are weighted in accordance with these AO statements below:

AO1:   Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.

AO2:   Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.

AO3:   Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.

AO4:   Explore connections across literary texts.

AO5:   Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.

 

Additional Information:

Please find below the Set Texts required for the course:

Donne, J. (ed. Illona Bell) Selected Poems. Penguin Classics: London, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-0140424409.
Faulks, S. Birdsong. Vintage: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1784700034.
Hosseini, K. The Kite Runner. Bloomsbury: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1408824856.
James, H. What Maisie Knew. Wordsworth: London, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-1840224122.
Shakespeare, W. King Lear. Wordsworth: London, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-1853260957.
Walker, A. The Color Purple. W&N: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1780228716.
Webster, J. The Duchess of Malfi. Longman: London, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0582817791.

Students will also study poems from a range of poets published since 2000. These are available in the poetry collection listed below:

Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry ISBN-13: 978-0571325405.

Progression

Our Fast Track A Level English Literature programmes are eligible for UCAS points, making them a great choice for students aiming to progress to University. UCAS points are awarded according to the grade earned, please see below for details.

A levels are also widely recognised by employers and are useful for students looking to progress their careers or meet requirements for promotion.

UCAS Points Table

A* = 56
A = 48
B = 40
C = 32
D = 24
E = 16