English Literature (A-level)

English Literature is an ideal course for anyone with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for learning. It is an academically challenging but very highly regarded discipline for both employers and universities. Having an A-level in English Literature is particularly attractive for students hoping to go to Russell Group institutions and on to graduate careers across the professional spectrum. 

This course will require you to analyse, interpret, compare and understand a wide range of literary texts from two specific literary genres throughout time (tragedy and crime writing). It is particularly valuable for students who wish to pursue criminology, humanities, law and classics as we cover ideas from all of these areas in our curriculum. We offer a number of supra-curricular enrichment opportunities such as theatre visits, university trips and hosting guest speakers. If you have a curiosity and a flair for analysis – and are prepared to work hard – you are our ideal learner!

In order to be accepted into the Joseph Wright Centre student body, you will need to have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4.

In addition, you should have GCSE English Literature at grade 5 [C/B] or above. This is particularly important in order to demonstrate your suitability for managing the demands of this qualification.

You will be expected to demonstrate a keen interest in literature and wider reading and should be able to work independently for at least four hours per week, per subject.

A recent school report will be required which demonstrates a committed attitude to learning.

It is assumed that students will enrol on a two-year A-level programme of study consisting of three or more subjects. However, students will be expected to demonstrate a committed attitude to learning and make positive progress in their first year of study.

We follow the Pearson Edexcel specification.

In Year 1, you will develop an understanding of the tragic genre and study two classic dramas – Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ and Tennessee Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Excitingly, you will study Margaret Atwood’s influential dystopian novel ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ You will also analyse a selection of twenty first century poetry that includes poems by writers such as Simon Armitage and Helen Dunmore. Additionally, you will begin a piece of coursework in which you compare Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry collection ‘The World’s Wife’ with a nineteenth century novel of your choice. You will analyse both texts through a feminist lens.

In Year 2, you will study a selection of Romantic poetry by influential poets such as John Keats and William Blake. You will also enjoy working with Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel ‘Frankenstein’. You will complete and submit the coursework that you began in Year 1. We will allocate lots of time to revise texts and exam technique before your final exams. Extra revision classes will be available. 

All learning will be based on-site at our modern and vibrant Joseph Wright Centre, conveniently situated in the Cathedral Quarter of the city centre. We even have our own Starbucks, as well as state-of-the-art learning facilities and a well-stocked library.

You will need to have copies of the set texts so that you can annotate them in lessons and read outside of the lessons.

We have internal, graded assessments throughout the year to track your progress. We also hold practice assessments before each assessment so that you can practise crucial exam skills. At the end of Year 1 and in the January of Year 2 we run mock exams.

Your coursework forms 20% of your final grade. At the end of the course, you will sit three final exams that make up the remaining 80% of your final grade. These papers are:

· Drama – 2 hours and 15 minutes. ‘Othello’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

· Prose – 1 hour and 15 minutes. ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.

· Poetry – 2 hours and 15 minutes. Twenty first century poetry (including unseen poem) and Romantic poetry.  

This course will help with entry to higher education or employment. Career prospects include roles in creative writing, primary, secondary and A-level teaching, HR, marketing, advertising, media, research, policing and detection, recruitment consultancy, publishing, journalism, translation and countless more options.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk 

To directly contact one of the teaching team, email jonny.lee@derby-college.ac.uk