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Key details

Course areas
A LevelsEnglish, Maths and Languages
Student types
16 - 18 coursesA Levels
Course type
A Level course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
High Pavement Sixth Form Chaucer Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LP
Course code
Parent course code:C000450 Child course code: Q000522
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Course introduction

Studying English Language and Literature together is a great combination and one which will equip you with a variety of transferable skills such as; writing, analysis, applying context and reading for meaning.

The course is perfect if you enjoy not only the creative aspects of the written word, but also if you’re interested in how literature and language reflect society. It will complement your other studies and prepare you well for university and your future career.

This course combines a detailed study of literature with the opportunity to read more widely and independently. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to attend theatre productions of the texts studied and to watch film versions of set and related texts.

Topics include:

Telling stories

You will learn about the ways in which writers and speakers present stories, beginning with a general focus on broad questions such as:

Methods of language analysis

In working on this part of the subject content, you will learn about methods of language analysis. You will be required to adopt a close language focus, identifying salient features of language used in the respective texts.

Remembered places

You will study the AQA Anthology: Paris and explore speech and other genres. You will study a wide range of linguistic and generic features, as well as related issues around questions of representation and viewpoint in texts taken from a range of time periods.

Imagined worlds

Frankenstein

In this part of the subject content, you will explore the imagined worlds of these texts which are characterised by unusual narratives, narrators and events. You will also consider key aspects of the texts which place them in particular contexts of production and reception and analyse the language choices made by writers.

Poetic voices

You will study poems from one of four poets within the AQA Poetic Voices Anthology: Seamus Heaney.

Writing about society

F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby

In this part of the subject content, you will explore the ways that writers present people, their points of view and their relationships with others shape the narrative structure and present events/time/places reveal the speech and thought processes of the characters and narrator(s) use situations of conflict to express ideas about societies and their values.

Re-creative work seeks to find absent or underplayed perspectives in the base text – for example, the voice of a marginal character, or how an event might have been reported to a different audience – and create a new text in order to enrich the critical reading of the original.

Critical commentary

Drawing on your studies in 'Writing about Society', you will learn how to write a critical commentary to evaluate their writing. You will explain your own language choices and analyse your intentions in reshaping the writer’s original material.

Dramatic encounters

Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire

In this part of the subject content, you will explore the ways that conflicts are presented, the meanings that can be inferred from the language use and the contextual reasons for these conflicts. As part of your study, you will analyse areas relevant to the study of drama and dramatic discourse, including how playwrights:

  • represent natural speech features
  • use language to create distinctively different characters
  • show characters asserting power and positioning others via their language and behaviour
  • use the idea of conflict to create dynamic narratives and address the wider themes of the play.

Making connections (non exam assessment)

This part of the subject content focuses on language use in different types of text. It is called 'Making Connections' because it will require you to make active connections between a literary text and some non-literary material. This area of the course provides an individualised experience for students, enabling them to demonstrate their ability to initiate and sustain independent enquiry.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Subjects which complement A Level English Language and Literature are Sociology, History, Geography, Film.

A group of people standing around a banner stating 'Nottingham College - you're in good hands'.

You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

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Course information

2 years

AQA A Level English Language and Literature

To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English Language at grade 5 or above and Maths at grade 4 or above

To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-6 including GCSE English Language at grade 5 or above and Maths at grade 4 or above

The programme of study is for two years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year one to progress to the second year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Assessment consists of 20% non-exam assessment and 80% examinations – paper 1 is 3 hours in length and paper 2 is 2 hours and 30 minutes in length.

This course, as with the other English subjects, is a pathway to a huge range of higher education courses. The skills you learn will be invaluable for essay writing, dissertations, report writing and presentations in later life.

This course could take you into a variety of careers, for example: teaching, journalism, playwriting, marketing, PR and media.

You will need to purchase the set books. Details of these will be given before the start of the course.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Newspaper, Periodical and Broadcast Editors

Potential Earnings

£63,516.89

Average Earnings

£34,922.94

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Media, Publishing and Information Services

People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.

Skills

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

A Level English Language

A Level English Literature