A degree in English Literature can lead to a range of careers, both as a single honour and as half a joint honours degree. Graduates have continued into teaching or administrative posts, as well as advertising, journalism, or many careers for which a skilled and flexible use of language is an essential component.
A Level is a 2 year course.
GCSE English Language Grade B/Grade 5 is essential.
Assessment at A Level is by exam at the end of two years plus a piece of assessed coursework.
In the first year the emphasis is on modern texts, from classics like ‘Wuthering Heights’ or ‘Frankenstein’ to contemporary best-sellers like Khaled Hosseini’s superb ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’. The choice of plays is similarly varied with popular frothy comedies like ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ and gritty ‘in yer face’ tragedies like ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’ The poetry selection is an inspiring anthology of modern verse from the past ten years. Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ is the central focus in the second year, together with modernist poetry that has changed the world. You will also select two of your favourite texts for coursework. Tutorial assistance is always available and there will be frequent theatre and cinema trips.
A degree in English Literature can lead to a range of careers, both as a single honour and as half a joint honours degree. Graduates have continued into teaching or administrative posts, as well as advertising, journalism, or many careers for which a skilled and flexible use of language is an essential component.
The course is enhanced by trips to the theatre and cinema to experience dramatized versions of the texts you will study. You will be encouraged to join the Creative Writing group where you can create your own poems, plays and stories inspired in part by your reading on the course.
