A Level English Literature Online Course CIE

The A Level English Literature Online course with Learn Now follows the CIE (9695) specification and is equivalent to the qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college. Once completed, you will obtain UCAS points which will support progression to university in degrees such as publishing, journalism, teaching and education.

This course would suit adult learners returning to education, students resitting exams or studying alongside other commitments, and learners looking to be accepted into University.

Please note that the Cambridge specification is 100% exam based which is why we offer this course to learners. You wonโ€™t need to worry about the extra costs for coursework when booking exams (also referred to as a non-examined assessment NEA).

Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £395

Syllabus

Thisย A Level English Literature Courseย will help you with reading and analysis of texts, and you will be encouraged to undertake wider reading to aid understanding of the texts studied.

You will learn skills of effective and appropriate communication including the ability to discuss the critical context of texts.

The Full A Level English Literature course has four modules you will need to cover which are split into IAS and IA2.

Set Texts

2026 Syllabus

2027 Syllabus

2028 Syllabus

IAS Modules

This paper has two sections:

  • Section A: Drama
  • Section B: Poetry

Learners will need to show a clear understanding of the set text they have studied and have an awareness of the context in which it was written. Analysing the text, you will need to understand the use of language and structure used to create meaning and effect. The ideas will be communicated through a well-structured essay.

This paper has two sections:

  • Section A: Prose
  • Section B: Unseen

An understanding of the prose text is required for this section along with historical, cultural or social contexts that are relevant.

You will need to analyse characters, plot, narrative, perspective and language forming your own opinion on how this creates meaning and effect. Finally, you will communicate ideas and arguments about the text clearly.

IA2 Modules

This paper has two sections:

  • Section A: Shakespeare
  • Section B: Drama

Learners will need to show an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts relevant to the Shakespeare text studied. You will analyse Shakespeareโ€™s choices such as:

  • Language
  • Dramatic structure
  • Characterisation
  • Imagery

Learners will also form their own opinions about the Shakespeare play communicating their ideas and evaluating different interpretations and viewpoints of the text.

This paper has two sections:

  • Section A: Pre-1900 Poetry and Prose
  • Section B: Post-1900 Poetry and Prose.

Learners will need to have an understanding of relevant historical, cultural and social contexts in relation to pre- or post-1900 poetry and prose texts. You will need to analyse language, structure, imagery and characterisation deciding how the writer shapes meaning and creates effect. Finally, you will evaluate different interpretations and viewpoints of the texts.

What can I do with an A Level in English Literature?

Students in the past have progressed onto the following degrees:

โ€ข English Studies โ€ข Psychology โ€ข Training Teachers
โ€ข Business Studies โ€ข History โ€ข Sociology โ€ข Law

Studying A’ Level Advanced English at University gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including:

โ€ข Teaching and Education โ€ข Functional Managers
and Directors โ€ข Artistic, Literary and Media
Occupations โ€ข Media Professionals โ€ข Public
Services โ€ข Writer โ€ข Journalism

Previous Knowledge Required

There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however students are expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.ย 

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Enrolment Fees

Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course.  This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.

Our enrolment fee includes:

  • All study materials covering the full specification.
  • Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
  • Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
  • Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
  • Reference and predicted grade for University.
  • Assignment marking and feedback
  • Marked and graded practise examination papers
  • Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
  • Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.

The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.

Assessments

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at a CIE approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

A Level Exams
There are four exams for the full A Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

  • Paper 1 – 2 hours
  • Paper 2 – 2 hours
  • Paper 3 – 2 hours
  • Paper 4 – 2 hours

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 Exam Paper 4 A Level Qualification

AS Level Exams
There are two exams for the AS Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

  • Paper 1 – 2 hours
  • Paper 2 – 2 hours

Paper 1 Paper 1 IAS Exams

For Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature, learners can:

take Papers 1 and 2 only (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) or

follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 1 and 2 (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) in one series, then Papers 3 and 4 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later series or

take Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International A Level.

A Level English Literature Online Course Outcome

On successful completion of all your exams for the A Level English Literature Online Course, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

International A Level in English Literature with CIE | International AS Level in English Literature with CIE

Click here for more information on CIE and to be taken to their official website

FAQs

Still unsure? See below for more information on A Level English Literature

If you have taken IGCSE English Literature previously, texts do become more challenging at A Level.ย  You will need to read Shakespeare, pre-1900 prose and modern poetry and be expected to analyse these texts through essay writing.

If you enjoy reading, you are already half-way there and your tutor is available to help keep you on track when answering exam-style questions. It will certainly help to stay organised with this A Level and practise analytical writing from the very beginning.

You will not be required to purchase any books with this course.ย  We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to following eBook(s):

  • Cambridge International A Level English Literature โ€“ Elizabeth Whittome (Cambridge University Press)

Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!

There are many subjects you can pair with English Literature and here are just a few examples:

  • A Level History โ€“ Both History and English Literature work well together and as a learner you will learn to understand historical and cultural contexts.ย  Both subjects require essay writing and critical thinking and career pathways can involve Journalism, Historian and Law.
  • A Level Classical Studies โ€“ The classics pairs well with Literature as you will be expected to analyse texts in relation to ancient Greece and Rome which can help understanding with narrative, themes and literary techniques.ย  Both courses develop critical thinking, interpretation and comparative skills.ย  Pathways involve Research, Law, Arts and Media.

Cambridge International A Level English Literature can be taken outside the UK as well as within the UK.ย  Cambridge provide global recognition for their A Level qualifications and are recognised by universities.

At the end of this course you will receive an Internationally recognised qualification which will allow you to apply a university situated anywhere in the world.

AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level.ย  It also requires more study hours as follows:

  • AS Level = 180 hours
  • A Level = 360 hours

You will see the difference in the content above under โ€˜syllabusโ€™ but you can also refer to our article on โ€˜what is as levelโ€™ for more information.

You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to.ย  Exams for this subject fall in May/June and October/November each year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for.ย  We have more information on exam timetables here.

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Fill in the form below or call us on 0800 160 1556, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Also don’t forget to let us know which course it is that you are interested in…