Is English Literature a Good A Level?

You’re choosing your A Levels and asking yourself: Is English Literature a good A Level for you? Our guide will help you answer your question. The first thing you might want to consider is that the subject opens many doors to universities and careers, but it's not for everyone. Let's explore what makes it special, who thrives in it, and where it might take you.

Key Takeaways

• Best for: Students who love reading widely

  • You’ll be analysing novels, poems, and plays 

  • You’ll learn about the historical significance of classic texts

• Skills you'll gain: 

  • Critical thinking

  • Comparative, analytical, and interpretive essay writing

  • Analysis of themes, dramatic methods, and literary techniques  

• University respect: 

  • Highly regarded by all top universities, including Russell Group institutions

• Career paths: 

  • Suited for careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, media, and more

What Does A Level English Literature Involve?

A Level English Literature takes you on a journey through centuries of writing. You’ll explore the literary canon as you read novels, plays, and poetry across time and place, from Shakespeare’s tragedies to modern fiction. You can browse our guide on A Level English Literature topics for a detailed picture. 

Most courses include:

• Classic drama: 

  • Typically, at least one Shakespeare play, such as Othello, King Lear, or The Taming of the Shrew

  • Playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, or Henrik Ibsen

• Poetry collections: 

  • This might include Romantic poets, war poetry, or contemporary voices

• Prose fiction: 

  • This could include Victorian classics like Northanger Abbey or The Picture of Dorian Gray

  • Gothic fiction, such as Frankenstein or Dracula

  • Modern fiction like Atonement

  • Dystopian novels like The Handmaid’s Tale

Coursework or NEA: Many exam boards let you choose your own texts for independent study, giving you freedom to explore what genuinely interests you.

The focus isn't just on what happens in these texts, but why authors made specific choices and how readers might interpret them differently. You'll write essays that explore themes, analyse language, and develop your own arguments.

Who Should Consider Taking A Level English Literature?

Are you a passionate reader? You’ll have a fairly heavy reading list so that you can learn to identify patterns across genres.

Do you love debate? Literature involves discussing ideas and writing arguments about society, identity, and human nature. You’ll learn how to think independently and demonstrate original thinking in well-supported personal responses. 

How do you feel about writing complex essays? You’re assessed almost entirely on the sophistication of your essays: how you craft arguments and investigate literary theory.

Are you curious about historical periods, social movements, and authors' lives? The study of literature explores writers from literary and historical movements, such as the Romantics, or Aristotelian tragedy.

It’s helpful to know which courses work well alongside English Literature. This way, you’ll support your understanding with subjects that teach you similar skills or inform your content knowledge. 

• History: You’ll read texts from various eras (essentially, these are primary sources), and you’ll understand texts as social commentaries

• Politics: Literature essays explore themes like power, leadership, and oppression of individuals or marginalised groups

• Philosophy: Both Literature and Philosophy A Levels explore deep ideas about human behaviour and personal motivations

What Can A Level English Literature Lead To?

One of English Literature's greatest strengths is its versatility. Countless fields value the skills you develop, such as clear communication, critical analysis, and structured thinking.

University courses it supports:

• English Literature or Language

• Law (many law students have English backgrounds)

• History

• Journalism and Media Studies

• Creative Writing

• Politics and International Relations

• Philosophy

• Teaching

• Theatre and Drama Studies

Career paths:

The analytical and communication skills you'll master are great for careers including:

• Education

• Law and legal services

• Publishing and editing

• Journalism and broadcasting

• Content creation and copywriting

• Marketing and PR

• Civil Service and policy work

• Arts administration and curation

• Academic research

Russell Group universities, like Oxford, highly value A Level English Literature. Admissions tutors appreciate it because it teaches you many transferable skills, such as how to think critically, write argumentative essays, and work on your own.

Pros and Cons of Studying English Literature

Pros

A good course for most careers

Employers consistently rank the transferable skills you’ll gain amongst their most wanted skills. 

• Knowing how to communicate clearly, analyse complex information, and form strong arguments is useful in almost any job

• Literature rewards original interpretation and creative problem-solving 

Highly respected by universities

Universities recognise it as a rigorous, traditional subject that proves intellectual capability.

• Exploring the way meaning is created in texts leads to deep questions

  • You’ll explore ideas, such as love, death, power, justice, and identity

• Building cultural knowledge improves your all-round understanding of the world 

  • Critical thinking is the ability to analyse and evaluate information and arguments

  • It draws on history, social values, and cultural traditions to provide context

Have a look at our university advice if you’d like to know more. 

Choice to study topics that interest you

Many specifications let you select texts for coursework, allowing you to pursue writers or themes you enjoy.

Cons

Heavy reading load

You'll need to read multiple texts per year, and you’ll need to reread them for revision. If you don’t have the passion, patience, or time to read, you’ll find this a challenge. 

Essay-intensive assessment

Nearly all marks come from timed essays or coursework. If you struggle with extended writing, you'll need to work hard to develop this skill.

Abstract mark criteria

Unlike Maths or Sciences, Literature essays are interpretive. Some students find it tricky to nail their essays without clear-cut guidance and vague mark-schemes. You’ll be assessed on clarity of expression and how convincing your arguments are. 

Context knowledge required

You’ll need to understand historical periods, literary movements, and biographical details.

Less direct career path

Unlike vocational subjects, studying Literature doesn’t lead to one specific job. This can feel uncertain for some students.

Student Experiences and Opinions

On the whole, my Literature A Level students enjoy the course. Mainly, they love the discussions! Lessons involve a lot of debate. You’ll hear a range of interpretations and offer your own opinions on characters, themes, and plot-lines. Unlike GCSE Literature, you’ll generally read texts independently. Class time is spent learning to analyse, and engaging in character motivations, or debating villains and heroes. 

Students have told me that they love that feeling of ‘cracking’ a poem, or learning about writers and their (often, strange and tragic) lives.  

Sometimes, lessons involve reading play scripts. My students love taking on characters, especially those who fancy themselves as budding actors. 

However, students can be surprised by the workload. GCSE English Literature involves half as many texts, at least. My students say that the transition from GCSE Literature to A Level is challenging: it involves a lot more independent work.

The most common advice from current students? Read beyond your set texts, practise essays regularly, and join in discussions. The subject rewards engagement and persistence. 

For more on this, have a look at a teacher’s perspective on Is A Level English Literature hard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is English Literature A Level respected?

Yes, A Level English Literature is respected by universities (including Russell Group) because of its transferable skills. It’s especially valued for humanities and law courses as it develops close reading and independent thought. 

Should I choose English Literature or English Language?

It depends on your interests. English Literature focuses on reading fiction and analytical writing. English Language examines language in various contexts. It covers grammar, child language development, technological and spoken language.

If you’re still not sure, you may want to find out if your school offers English Language and Literature as a combined course.

What subjects complement A Level English Literature?

English Literature pairs well with essay-based subjects that analyse evidence and build supported arguments, like History. 

Subjects like Politics or Philosophy work well with Literature as they develop critical thinking and examine human motivation. 

Be careful not to take too many essay-heavy subjects unless you're sure about your writing stamina. 

What GCSEs do I need to take English Literature at A Level?

Most sixth forms need a Grade 6 in GCSE English Literature. Competitive schools may ask for Grade 7 or higher. Ask about this, though. As an English Literature teacher, some of my students were accepted for the course without these grades for all sorts of reasons, such as personal circumstances, future plans, or simply a passion to take the course.

It will help if you have a Grade 5 or 6 in GCSE English Language, too (strong writing skills are important). If you didn't take GCSE English Literature but did well in English Language, you still may be able to take A Level Literature. It’s best to check with your school or college.

Final Thoughts

If you loved GCSE English Literature and regularly read for pleasure, you'll likely thrive at A Level. It’s a great choice for passionate readers who love analysis, discussion, and writing essays. It's academically rigorous, respected by universities, and develops skills that employers consistently value. If you’re considering careers in law, media, teaching, or publishing, English Literature might be perfect.

It’s not the right fit if reading feels like a chore, if you find writing hard, or if you like subjects with clear, definite answers. 

Talk to your English teachers. Ask current A Level students about their experiences. The right A Levels are the ones that match your strengths, interests, and aspirations. If English Literature ticks those boxes, it's an excellent choice that will serve you well.

References:

AQA English Literature A Level specification (opens in a new tab)

OCR English Literature A Level specification (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel Pearson English Literature A Level specification (opens in a new tab)