The essential requirement of the course is that you enjoy reading and want to increase your knowledge and love of literature. Perhaps you have in mind one of the many careers for which English Literature is helpful or essential. Perhaps you see English Literature as going well with your other GCE Advanced subjects. Perhaps you believe that English literature is worth doing for its own sake. Perhaps it is a combination of these reasons.
In any case, the better your GCSE English and English Literature achievement, the more confident you will feel and the better you are likely to do. Generally, high-achieving pupils in both GCSE English and English literature find their feet readily with AS and A2 English Literature, and others too have done well at St. Bede’s with these subjects. Reading takes time. You have to be able to take the time. So it really matters that you enjoy reading and that you are prepared to do much of it.
During the course of study you will be helped to become intelligent about the texts you are studying and about literature for the first time.
AS is a qualification in itself, and both courses are designed for connection and continuity. Assessment at both levels is by coursework and examination. The GCE Advanced course consists of six units, three for AS and a further three for A2. They cover a range of genre and period. You could expect to study Shakespeare, and other poetry, prose and drama from a range of periods.
You would have eight lessons (seven at AS) four each with two English specialists (at AS, four with one, three with another). You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and to become adept at presenting, discussing and defending them. You would expect to read widely and to write frequent essays.
The Sixth Form English Literature course at St. Bede’s is popular and successful. Most of our pupils, particularly those who work hard at it, seem to find the experience demanding and enjoyable.
You will find that your teachers’ interest in you and your studying is not confined to the classroom and that they will be happy to discuss your work at pretty well any practical time..
The most important thing is to remember that English is fun!