Why study English Literature A-Level? | Why Study A Level English Literature Course? | Where can English Literature Take Me? Study English Literature course for Your Future Career | English Literature A level Courses, English language and literature or English language Career options

Studying The Literary Canon can also help students gain a better understanding of history and the capacity to spot trends and important occurrences that have impacted our past and present societies.

At Russell Group universities, English Literature is a highly “facilitating” subject, so named because taking it at the A level opens up a number of degree programme options.

For an English degree course, you must have taken A level English Literature. Additionally, some degree programmes in law, media studies, drama, and American studies require English Literature or language A levels. The Russell Group’s Informed Choices handbook also advises taking English Literature at the A level for people who intend to major in classics, French, or another modern language, teach in the humanities or social sciences, or pursue degrees in history, art history, politics, or religious studies.

Where can I go with a degree in English Literature at the A level? | Arguments for Studying A level English Literature

Some of the most significant books ever written are available for study at the A level in English Literature. You will comprehend the literary form, the author’s influences and inspirations, and the historical context in which it was written better.

A sharp analytical mind that can conduct in-depth analysis and take into account bigger themes and influences will also develop in you. In business discussions, analyses, or even in professions like journalism, this can be very useful.

It will also help you organise your arguments and improve your communication skills, which will help you both academically and professionally.

With a degree in English Literature, you can go in many different directions. You can either pursue a career in creative writing, including teaching, or you can use your English language skills to land a job in an English department, which employers value. Your degree will be respected by employers, and you will have a variety of options.

What kind of work is required?

Reading, speaking, and writing are necessary. In order to understand how an author employs language and context to arouse strong emotions in the reader, you will need to learn how to analyse texts in addition to reading. Examine your own emotional response to writing, be able to discuss it in class and in your own writing, and be able to persuade others of your point of view are all necessary skills.

It’s important to be open to discussion and receptive to other points of view because controversial topics and open-ended questions are frequently raised in English Literature.

Which background is required?

You must enjoy reading, writing, and exchanging ideas as a primary requirement. Because discussions about Literature frequently lack firm conclusions, you should approach the subject with an open mind. In order to understand how A level English Literature approaches the study of writing, if you did not take English Literature for GCSE, you should read some introductory material. You might find it challenging to meet the demands on your vocabulary and writing if your English GCSE grade isn’t a 7 or higher.

Average Course Length for English Literature at the A level

The AS Level, the first academic year of an A level programme, lasts two years. Many students enrol in four subjects their first year and “drop” one in their final year in order to focus on three main subjects because an AS can be taken as a stand-alone certificate.

Before the A level reform, a student’s final grade included both years. Examination boards currently favour assessment as the preferred method of testing, though.

You should be aware that, despite the fact that your AS Level may seem like nothing more than a practise exam, your English tutor or teacher will base their estimation of your A level mark on this mark (other considerations might also be made). The effort you put into your first year will therefore be reflected in your critical grade predictions.

Students applying to universities will also need to submit their AS Level so that the chosen course directors can assess their suitability for the degree and subject matter.grades University offers can be unconditional or conditional; the latter requires that you meet a certain grade level in order to be admitted to the programme.

Do I Fit in with English Literature?

If you are an avid reader and exhibit a love of various writings, English Literature is a great choice. If you enjoy carefully analysing texts and debating opposing viewpoints, a course like this might be right for you. You will be required to think critically and express your opinions throughout this course.

Aspired writers would benefit from studying the subject to learn more about literary genres, the use of voices and narration in writing, as well as the general structure and historical development of the English language. English Literature not only promotes reading, but also writing, so studying it would be beneficial.

In my A level English course, which text will I be studying?

Drama, poetry, and prose are typically covered in the AS and A level curricula. Naturally, at least one of William Shakespeare’s plays will be a part of this, possibly along with books and poems with a related theme or setting. You’ll undoubtedly be able to identify patterns in the curricula and make useful connections.

 

What entails taking an English course at the A level?

This course’s topic could be considered to be the literary heritage of the world. Along with works from other genres and eras, the works of Shakespeare from the 1500s to the present will be studied. In addition, you’ll read plays, poems, and books. You’ll discover more about the history and current vitality of English writing. If you enjoy reading literary works, this course offers a great chance to broaden your perspective.

The Jacobean intrigue, murderous fantasies, and 17th-century setting will completely engross you. Be careful, though, as there’s a chance you could wind up shipwrecked on a desolate island with a vengeful magician and three rowdy drunks for company.

These include Shakespeare and Webster. And let’s say you still find that boring. Then we can tell you that some of the time will be spent travelling to fictional locations like the Garden of Eden (from John Milton’s Paradise Lost) and ominous dystopian worlds created by authors like George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Cormac McCarthy.

Average English Literature A level Workload

More reading will undoubtedly be required as you advance to this stage of your education. Even so, you should notice that it gets easier and easier to retain important information as you complete each module.

These recommendations for A level English Literature can help you get started.

If you read slowly or have trouble with time constraints, use your summer to get ready in advance since you can access reading lists before the course even starts. You can familiarise yourself with the themes, characters, setting, and writing styles of each text before class even by just skimming it.

As with most A level courses, you will be expected to continue your studies on your own time by reading additional materials to help you increase the scope of your knowledge.

What do graduates in English do? | Career and Work Experience Following an A level in English Literature

Publishing, broadcasting, marketing and public relations, journalism, law, teaching, and politics are among the most popular career choices for English graduates. The skills developed through studying English Literature are among the most transferable, which is widely acknowledged by universities.

English Literature A level students’ career options: a reality check

The following are some examples of careers that former students of the Advanced Placement English Literature course have pursued, in case you are still of the opinion that the only way to fulfil their dreams is to adhere to an Informed Choices website or follow the dictates of a list of facilitating subjects:

• Publishing
• The chief press officer of a significant government agency
• Teaching
• Acting
• Writing (blockbuster books)
• Accounting
• News organisations
• Producing podcasts

Careers For English Literature Graduates

Although an English Literature degree programme is frequently pursued after the A level qualification, this is not your only option as a student of English Literature. The course can open doors for those who are interested in careers in a variety of degree-level fields like journalism, publishing, editing, and teaching as well as alternative but related fields like politics, media, illustration, and publishing.

Learning English can open up many doors.

In fact, the key skills acquired while studying for an A level in English Literature can be applied to any career that calls for creative or critical thinking, effective verbal and written communication, or critical thinking.

According to the academic website Prospects.ac.uk, you shouldn’t restrict your search for further education or employment opportunities to those that are directly related to your highest degree. Most employers will be happy to consider you regardless of your area of expertise, but if you can show that you are strong in a particular field, it may greatly increase your chances of getting the job.

One in five students who study English at the graduate level continue their education, with 25% of them choosing to pursue the same field of study, according to the informative website. This evidence shows that learning English is undoubtedly very rewarding and a subject you won’t likely get bored with.

Another crucial point is that English is crucial to one’s employability, as evidenced by the fact that 60.5% of English graduates have jobs (according to Prospects’ findings).

After taking all of this information into account, we hope that you are more certain about your decision to pursue an A level in English Literature and that you can approach your studies with more zeal.

You can raise your grades to A level that any potential employer will want to see on your CV with the aid of an A level, GCSE, or Higher English Tutor, or English for any and all exam boards. We advise you to make an enquiry about support and achieve your objectives.

Students can gain the confidence they need to succeed in English language and Literature classes and be able to use a wide range of literary devices in their course work by working with a private online English Literature tutor who is an expert in the subject and has a graduate degree from a prestigious university. Working with a highly valued university admissions tutor is the obvious choice if you want to ensure that you get the grade you need for your first choice university.They have a great deal of experience with all exam boards and helping to make A level English language students, no matter how boisterous, concentrate on their literary texts, text work, and the two texts as well as helping students study in a productive manner and getting them into the courses they want at university. It may be an option, and we advise you to make an enquiry. They are frequently willing to accept new students. Another popular subject for tutoring is maths, which looks great on your resume and is valued by employers at any level, whether you are in grade 5 or not.

If you are in the sixth form, an online A level English tutor or online A level tutor for English Literature will help you cultivate a passion for using the written word in your academic studies. You could pursue a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees, including history of art, linguistics, sociology, and theatre studies. Students learning the English language benefit from having strong analytical skills thanks to their communication skills, capacity to analyse texts, and contextual language use. This can lead to numerous career pathways in a wide range of fields. Wider reading and non-vocational skills will radically enrich your life and, in many cases, the human experience. Before beginning the course at university, Literature students typically studied English Literature at GCSE. They have loved English for long time periods and may have even completed summer internships in book stores. The second year of many university courses allows for work experience.