A-Level English Literature including exams

Yes — AQA A-Level English Literature is a full, Ofqual-regulated A-Level qualification, identical in content and assessment to the A-Level taken by school and college students in England. It appears on the UCAS Tariff, is accepted by all UK universities, and is recognised by employers across all sectors. AQA is one of the UK's three major A-Level awarding bodies and sets the examinations sat by the majority of English A-Level candidates.

Yes — AQA exam entry is included in the course fee. We arrange your examination registration at an approved AQA exam centre. Examinations are sat during the main June sitting each year, at a centre near you. If you enrol after the January registration deadline, your examinations will be scheduled for the following year's June sitting, giving you additional preparation time.

The AQA specification includes set texts across poetry, prose, and drama, with some choice available depending on the genre options selected. For Component 1 you will study two genre texts (for example, Shakespeare's Othello alongside a further tragedy); for Component 2 you will study a prose novel and two poetry collections; and for Component 3 you choose your own texts, with at least one written before 1900. Your tutor will guide you on text selection and provide a full reading list at enrolment.

Most learners complete the course in 12 to 24 months, studying around 10 to 14 hours per week. The exact duration depends on your starting level, how quickly you work through the materials, and when you sit your examinations. Learners who enrol early in the academic year often complete their first year of study before sitting June examinations, while others take a second year to ensure thorough preparation. There is no penalty for taking longer — your access continues throughout your enrolment period.

We recommend a minimum grade 4 (C) in GCSE English Literature or English Language. This indicates the reading, writing, and analytical foundations you need to engage with A-Level study. If you achieved a grade 3 or studied under an older grading system, please contact our enrolment advisers — we assess each applicant individually and may recommend preparatory work before you begin the full A-Level.

Absolutely — many learndirect learners are adults who are studying A-Levels for the first time or returning to qualifications they didn't complete at school. There is no upper age limit. Adult learners typically bring life experience that enriches their literary analysis, and our tutors are experienced in supporting both school-age and adult learners. The flexible online format means you can study around work, family, and other commitments.

Yes — Component 3 (Theory and Independence) is a non-examined assessment (NEA) component, worth 20% of your final grade. You produce a comparative critical essay of around 2,500–3,000 words, comparing two texts of your own choice and applying a critical theory. Your tutor will support you through every stage: choosing texts, developing your argument, drafting, and refining your final submission. The NEA is internally assessed and then moderated by AQA.

AQA A-Level English Literature is assessed across three components. Component 1 involves two separate written papers testing your knowledge of two literary genres, using both set texts and unseen extracts. Component 2 is a single written paper on your prose and poetry texts, requiring extended essay responses. Both exam components are open book, meaning you may bring clean, unannotated copies of your set texts into the examination. Component 3 is the coursework (NEA) element. The examinations are sat during the June sitting each year.

AQA A-Level English Literature earns UCAS Tariff points on the standard A-Level scale: A* = 56 points, A = 48 points, B = 40 points, C = 32 points, D = 24 points, E = 16 points. These can be combined with other A-Levels or Level 3 qualifications to meet university entry requirements. Most English, History, Law, and humanities degree programmes ask for a minimum of grades BBB to AAA at A-Level.

Yes — many learners study English Literature alongside A-Levels in History, Sociology, Psychology, or English Language, building a portfolio of complementary humanities qualifications. learndirect offers a wide range of A-Level subjects, and your enrolment adviser can help you plan a combination that meets the entry requirements for your chosen university course or career pathway.