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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: Q000520
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Course introduction

If you enjoy reading, theatre, and film, A Level English Literature could be the perfect course for you. This intellectually engaging and creative subject invites you to explore a wide range of texts spanning from tragedy to crime fiction.

You’ll analyse how literature reflects and shapes our world, exploring key themes, stylistic features, and historical and cultural contexts. From Shakespearean drama, Romantic poetry, to modern novels, you’ll gain a rich understanding of the context in which texts were written and the impact they had on audiences, both then and now.

This subject encourages independent thought and critical debate. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for wider reading, and your own interpretations will be at the heart of classroom discussion. You’ll develop your ability to construct persuasive and unique arguments, write with clarity and insight, and engage confidently in analytical and critical thinking.

A Level English Literature is typically studied alongside two or three other A Level subjects. Whether you're considering a future in literature, humanities, law, or simply want to deepen your appreciation of literature, this subject offers a rewarding foundation for academic and personal growth.

Topics include:

Literary Genres – Aspects of tragedy

Texts studied:

  • John Keats: ‘Lamia’, ‘Isabella or The Pot of Basil’, ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’, 'The Eve of St. Agnes'
  • Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman
  • William Shakespeare: Othello

At the heart of the texts you will study is one of literature’s most powerful themes: tragedy. You will explore unforgettable characters, including flawed heroes and heroines whose choices lead to suffering for themselves and those around them. Across all the set texts, you will investigate the complex relationships between villains and victims and examine how writers use the features of the tragic genre to raise emotional and thought-provoking questions. Aspects of tragedy will include:

  • how the behaviour of the hero affects the world around them, creating chaos and affecting the lives of others
  • the role of the tragic villain or opponent
  • the presence of fate, how the hero’s end is inevitable
  • how the tragedy affects the audience, acting as a commentary on the real world

Texts and Genres – Elements of crime writing

Texts studied:

  • Kate Atkinson: When Will There be Good News?
  • Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
  • William Shakespeare: Hamlet
  • Unseen extracts related to crime fiction

During your second year, you’ll explore compelling stories where crime plays a central role. While some texts were written before crime fiction became a defined genre, each one features a significant crime that drives the plot and shapes the narrative.

These texts focus on crimes against laws and moral codes, whether national, social, religious, or personal. You’ll examine how these elements of crime are presented and consider what makes each text a powerful exploration of justice, guilt, and consequence. Elements of crime writing will include:

  • the nature of the crimes and the criminals, the criminals’ motives and actions
  • the detection of the criminal and the investigation that leads to their capture or punishment
  • guilt and remorse, confession and the desire for forgiveness
  • representations of justice and the idea of punishment
  • the way that crime writing is used to comment on society

Theory and Independence

This topic offers a unique opportunity for you to explore literature on your own terms. You’ll have the chance to read widely and choose your own texts for further study (where appropriate), and, ultimately, apply different critical approaches to deepen your understanding. This part of the subject encourages independent thinking and introduces you to a range of perspectives, including:

  • narrative theory
  • feminist theory
  • Marxist theory
  • eco-critical theory
  • post-colonial theory
  • literary value and the canon.

Supported by the AQA Critical Anthology, this component challenges you to think critically, and develop your own voice as a reader and writer with texts of your choice.

Subjects that complement A Level English Literature include English Language, History, Law, Media, Film, Psychology, and Sociology.

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 Literature B

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

You’ll undertake examinations and non-exam assessments.

This course is a pathway to a huge range of higher education courses. The skills you’ll learn will be invaluable for essay writing, dissertations, report writing, analysis and presentations in later life.

This course can open a number of doors for you for a future career, for example: teaching, journalism, playwriting, marketing, PR and media.

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.

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Careers related to this course

Select career:

Authors, Writers and Translators

Potential Earnings

£57,608.43

Average Earnings

£30,805.35

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

Pathways

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.

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.

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.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

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

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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 Language and Literature