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English Literature

Overview

English Literature allows you to read widely and independently, and engage with texts critically and creatively with a range of novels, plays and poems. You will study a wide range of authors from various time periods from Shakespeare and Wordsworth to Atwood and Shelley.

Entry requirements

GCSE - 5 or above in English Literature.

Learning & Assessment

Why study this subject?

Studying English literature deepens understanding of human experiences, cultures, and history. It enhances critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills by analysing diverse texts and narratives.

Literature fosters creativity, enriches vocabulary, and helps us explore complex ideas, emotions, and societal issues, making it valuable for both personal growth and professional development.

What can you expect from this A level?

In English Literature, expect critical reading, text analysis, essay writing, and class discussions. Core areas include literary theory, historical contexts, genres, and themes. Learning focuses on developing independent critical thinking, communication and creative skills.

What can you do with a qualification in this subject?

You can progress on to university and study English Literature, English Language, Creative Writing, Drama, Journalism, Law and Philosophy.

Careers can include teaching, advertising, arts and culture specialist, content writing, copywriter, editorial assistant, marketing/market researcher, paralegal, and technical writer.

Assessment

The assessment comprises four components:

Component 1 (30%) is a 2-hour 15-minute exam on Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Component 2 (20%) involves a 1-hour 15-minute exam on Frankenstein and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Component 3 (30%) is a 2-hour 15-minute exam on Contemporary Poetry and The Romantics.

Component 4 (20%) is coursework involving analysis of The Lonely Londoners and an additional chosen text.

Modules / Topics

Component 1

Drama.

Component 2

Prose - Science and Society.

Component 3

Poetry.

Component 4

Coursework.

Trips / Visits / Enrichment

Trips, Visits & Enrichment

English Literature students benefit from enrichment opportunities that bring texts to life beyond the classroom. Through theatre visits and cultural experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of characters, themes and dramatic techniques while seeing literary works performed as they were originally intended.

Theatre Visits & Literary Experiences

Sep 26 - Othello Theatre Visit - £12
Year 12 and 13 students have the opportunity to attend a live performance of Othello, one of Shakespeare's most celebrated tragedies. Watching a professional production helps students develop their understanding of the set text, explore different interpretations of key scenes and characters, and enhance their preparation for examinations and mock assessments.

Enrichment Opportunities

Book Club
Book Club Enrichment is designed to encourage a love of reading and help students develop skills that support success across a range of subjects. Each week, students spend time reading their own chosen books, while also studying a shared novel and taking part in group discussions.

Reading regularly is proven to improve vocabulary, writing style and communication skills, making it particularly valuable for essay-based subjects and higher education study. Through discussion and reflection, students also develop their critical thinking and analytical skills while exploring new ideas and perspectives.

James Hunter

Head of English Literature & Drama

"I love being able to talk about texts that inspire my students and encourage debate, whether that be through drama, prose or poetry. Literature can provide insights and reflections of society, both in contexts of the time they were written as well as encouraging us to reflect on our present time. Plus, it encourages critical thinking which is transferable to all progression routes!"

Saul Ira Dickenson

Year 12 Student

"My favourite teacher is James Hunter who is my English teacher. He is my favourite teacher as in his lessons I can tell how experienced and knowledgeable about his subject he is and he makes an effort to include a dramatic perspective into the studying of play texts in English, and makes drama as a subject a priority in a way that most educational institutions fail to do."

English Teacher

Prepare lesson plans and instructional content, delivering engaging lessons on literary concepts and techniques to enhance student understanding.
Assess student progress through assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to support their learning journey.

Marketing Specialist

Develop creative marketing campaigns and draft compelling advertisements, collaborating with designers to convey messages effectively that resonate with target audiences.
Analyse market trends and consumer behaviours to inform marketing strategies and optimise outreach efforts.

Arts & Culture Specialist

Curate exhibitions and organise events that promote cultural initiatives and engage the community with the arts.
Collaborate with artists, performers, and local organisations to enhance cultural engagement and outreach.

PhD/Academic Researcher

Conduct in-depth research on a specific topic within English Literature, engaging with existing literature and contributing original insights to the field.
Write and publish academic papers, present findings at conferences, and teach undergraduate courses as part of an academic teaching assistantship.

Content Writer

Research and write informative and engaging articles, blog posts, and web content tailored to specific target audiences while optimising for search engines.
Edit and proofread content to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with brand voice.

Copywriter

Craft persuasive copy for marketing materials, websites, and social media platforms, ensuring the tone and message align with the brand identity.
Collaborate with product teams to understand features and benefits, translating them into compelling marketing language.

Editorial Assistant

Support the editorial team by reviewing manuscripts, proofreading content, and providing research to inform editorial decisions and strategies.
Assist in the coordination of publication schedules and the overall workflow of content production.

Paralegal

Assist lawyers in preparing legal documents and conducting research to support casework in various legal settings.
Manage client communications and prepare case files, ensuring all necessary documentation is accurate and complete.

November Open Evening 2026

Wednesday 4th November 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm

Find out more

Open Evening - 2nd December 2026

Wednesday 2nd December 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm

Find out more

16 October 2026

Up and Running - Enrichment Success

This first half term for our Year 12 students has been the most successful ever for our Enrichment programme, which takes places on Tuesday afternoons. With a range of activities covering skills development, social, physical and practical extra curricular, we have over 700 students participating in 42 activities. Ranging from British Sign Language and IBM Cyber Security to Music and Film Production and even Dungeons and Dragons, these weekly sessions are an important part of our ASPIRE programme, and develop the community and ambition of our students in their first couple of weeks as part of NSFC. A major success this year has been our running club, which builds on our sponsorship of the Great North 10k and Great North 5k runs, which happened over the Summer, and saw over 400 participants from across our colleges. The group meet weekly and have both a competitive 5k run, and a less challenging run for those who simply want to get out and get some exercise. Led by Director of Curriculum Kate Gardner, this is a great example of our students engaging in physical activities and working together as a college community. Our first student experience survey illustrated the huge success of a range of our wider enrichments with great reviews of ‘A Taste of China’ for Chinese language beginners, ‘Performance Lab’ where students prepare a Christmas showcase and Film Production which is hosted and managed by a professional production company Digital Sidekick and builds real industry leading skills.

15 October 2026

'Unloc'king our Real Potential - Student Governor Event

A selected group of students, attended a one day conference and selection event to find our new Student Governor, hosted by Unloc, a youth organisation dedicated to empowering young people with programmes designed to develop skills and experience in developing leaders and the student voice. Nadine Dosky, Lauren Dudley, Yasemin Aysa Yildiz and Niamh Richardson attended the event as part of the NSFC group and engaged amazingly throughout the day, gaining valuable experience and eventually selecting Nadine as our next Student Governor for the academic year 2026-2027. The NCG Prospective Student Governors Event was a practical and creative hybrid day that explored the key skills needed for student leadership and representation, with sessions including, ‘being a changemaker,’ ‘creating your pitches’ and ‘selecting your new governors.’ The small group of students from NSFC really benefitted from the activity led by Ben and Kellie from Unloc, and were really grateful to have been selected as potential leaders from among our fabulous students at the sixth form.

9 October 2026

Ready to Aspire

The students at Newcastle Sixth Form College are taking on a new vision for our college community, with the acronym ASPIRE, to help them succeed and really enjoy their A Level experience.

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Your courses

English Literature

Overview

Entry requirements