IGCSE English Literature
Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £345
Start your journey towards a career in Literature. Learn to analyse work, understand different perspectives, themes and ideas through a range of texts. The course will help you progress to further education, an apprenticeship or seek employment inside or outside of the UK.
- Awarding Bodies: Cambridge & Edexcel Examination Boards
- Learning Hours: 130 Recommended Study Hours
- Flexible Fast Track Available
- Full IGCSE Qualification
Overview
Would you like to progress your education through distance learning? An online International GCSE English Literature course can open doors to a rewarding career in a range of industries. The programme with Learn Now provides the same fully recognised qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college but giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
If you are an adult learner, a student resitting exams, or someone juggling studies with work and family, this could work perfectly. The course is designed to suit many lifestyles and provides at least two exam series per year.
Choose Your Specification
Whether you are based inside or outside the UK, we can offer a variety of internationally recognised examination boards to suit your specific needs:
- Cambridge International CIE 0475 (A*-G) or 0992 (9-1)
- Pearson Edexcel 4ET1 (9-1)
Get 10% discount when ordering multiple IGCSE courses. Use the coupon code: IGCSE10 at checkout
Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £345
Select your course awarding body from the dropdown below.
Cambridge IGCSE English Literature
Specification Code: 0475 (A*-G) or 0992 (9-1)
The Cambridge specification enables you to read, interpret and evaluate texts through the study of literature in English. You will develop an understanding of literal meaning, relevant contexts and of the deeper themes or attitudes that may be expressed.
Through your studies, you will learn to recognise and appreciate the ways in which writers use English to achieve a range of effects, and will be able to present an informed, personal response to the material you have studied.
The syllabus also encourages the exploration of wider and universal issues, promoting better understanding of yourself and of the world around you
For this syllabus, there are a number of set texts. These texts regularly rotate and may change from one year of examination to the next. If you would like to know the set texts for a particular exam series, please contact us and provide us with the year you wish to complete the course. We can provide you with a list of the set texts available.
Course Content
Building your skills: Poetry
- Introducing poetry
- Reading for meaning
- Exploring language and structure
- Developing an informed personal response to a poem
Building your skills: Prose
- Introducing prose
- Responding to characters
- Responding to setting and mood
- Responding to narrative viewpoint
- Developing an informed personal response to a short story
Building your skills: Drama
- Introducing drama
- Responding to characters and themes
- Responding to structure and language
- Developing an informed personal response to drama
Consolidating your writing skills
- Critical writing
- A closer look at essay technique
Approaching assessment
- Approaching set texts
- Approaching unseen poems and prose extracts
- Approaching the coursework portfolio
Set Text Choices
Text choices for the CIE 2026 exam series
- Paper One Section A: Poetry – Songs of Ourselves
- Paper One Section B: Prose – To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, or Hullabaloo
- Paper Two Set Texts – Any two from the following: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Streetcar Named Desire, Antony and Cleopatra, or A Taste of Honey
Text choices for the CIE 2027 exam series.
- Paper One Section A: Poetry – Songs of Ourselves
- Paper One Section B: Prose – To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, or Hullabaloo
- Paper Two Set Texts – Any two from the following: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Streetcar Named Desire, Antony and Cleopatra, or A Taste of Honey
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.
IGCSE Exams
There are two exams for the full qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:Paper 1 – 1 hour 30 min
Paper 2 – 1 hour 30 min
Course Outcome
On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded the following qualification:
International GCSE English Literature with CIE
Click here for more information on CIE and to be taken to their official website
Edexcel IGCSE English Literature
Specification Code: 4ET1
The Edexcel specification will help you develop the ability to read, understand and respond to a wide range of literary texts from around the world. You will also develop an appreciation of the ways in which writers achieve their literary effects.
You will explore, through literature, the cultures of your own and other societies and find enjoyment in reading literature understanding its influence on individuals and societies.
For this syllabus, there are a number of set texts. These texts regularly change and therefore if you would like to know the set texts for a particular exam series, please contact us and provide us with the year you wish to complete the course. We can provide you with a list of the set texts available.
Course Content
Paper 1: Poetry and Modern Prose
- The poetry collection from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.
- One modern prose text from the list of set texts.
- Develop skills to analyse unseen poetry.
- Develop skills to analyse how language, form, structure and contextual factors can be used to create meanings and effects.
- Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response.
- Develop comparison skills.
Paper 2: Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts
- One modern drama text from the list of set texts
- One literary heritage text from the list of set texts
- Develop skills to analyse how language, form, structure and contextual factors can be used to create meaning and effect.
- Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response.
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an Edexcel approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
IGCSE Exams
There are two exams for the full qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:Paper 1 – 2 hour
Paper 2 – 1 hour 30 min Course Outcome
On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded the following qualification:
International GCSE English Literature with Edexcel
Click here for more information about Pearson Edexcel and to be taken to their official website
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.
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Marked and graded practise examination papers
- Fast Track available 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.
Request More Information about IGCSE English Literature
FAQs
Will I find this course hard?
For Literature you will be required to understand ideas and explain your interpretations using evidence. Providing a detailed analysis can be challenging for some learners especially under exam conditions.
If you are someone who enjoys reading poetry, novels and plays, discussing characters and themes, you are likely to find the subject enjoyable rather than hard. You will also have plenty of exam practise through assignments and mock exam papers.
Will I need to buy any books?
You will not be required to purchase any books with this course. We automatically include logins to our online e-Library, which provides access to the following premium eBooks depending on your selected course specification:
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) English Literature Student Book – Taylor, Pam
Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Literature in English – Carey, Russell
Don’t see the specific book you are looking for? Ask us, and we will let you know if we have it!
Which subjects should I study alongside this course?
English Language – This subject will support skills such as reading comprehansion, essay writing, vocabulary and analysis. It is also important to have a GCSE pass in Language and Maths.
Maths – This subject is a minimum requirement for most colleges, universities and employers. Many learners run the subject alongside English.
Where can the subject take me?
The course will open doors to a variety of subjects. You may want to progress onto A Levels in subjects such as Literature, Language, History, Politics, Media or Philosophy.
After A Levels, degree options include English, Law, Journalism, History, Media Studies or Politics.
If you don’t want to progress onto A Levels, you might want to consider a level 3 apprenticeship which would allow you to earn whilst you learn.
Overall the subject will develop valuable skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, decision-making and financial awareness.
Can I study this course from outside the UK?
Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge (CIE) qualifications can be taken inside and outside the UK. Content within the specification is adapted for international learners and the qualification is comparable to UK GCSE standards.
How long does the course take?
You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete the course much sooner if you need to. Exams for this subject fall in May/June or October/Novembereach year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for. We have more information on exam timetables here.
How does this course compare to a college GCSE?
The International GCSE is taken worldwide rather than just the UK. It is equivalent to a GCSE but is often 100% exam based. See our article IGCSE vs GCSEfor more information.
What can I do with IGCSE English Literature
Literature could lead on to further study in A Level English Literature or more vocationally related courses.
Cambridge IGCSEs are accepted by leading universities and employers around the world as evidence of academic achievement. Many universities require a combination of AS & A’ Levels and IGCSEs or equivalents to meet their entry requirements.