Oxford AQA International AS English Literature specification (9675)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Oxford AQA International AS English Literature exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Oxford AQA International AS English Literature specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Oxford AQA International AS English Literature (9675) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Oxford AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The OxfordAQA International AS in English Literature encourages students to explore literary texts through genre and context, focusing on the themes of dramatic tragedy and place. The course develops analytical and critical reading skills, while promoting an understanding of how meaning is shaped by literary form, authorial method and cultural background. It prepares learners for further study by fostering independence, structured argument, and an appreciation of diverse interpretations of literature in an international context:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
Unit 1: Aspects of dramatic tragedy
- Study of two drama texts, one from each section
- Explore common features of tragedy such as flawed protagonists, fate, moral struggle, and tragic resolution
- Section A: Focus on Elizabethan and Jacobean tragedy (e.g. Hamlet, King Lear, Doctor Faustus)
- Section B: Focus on later dramatic tragedies (e.g. Death of a Salesman, Hedda Gabler, Waiting for Godot)
Unit 2: Place in literary texts
- Study of one prose text and one poetry text
- Analyse how place is represented in literature through geography, social identity, class, politics, and human relationships
- Section A: Prose texts include Heart of Darkness, The Great Gatsby, Small Island
- Section B: Poetry texts from poets such as Wordsworth, Frost, Hardy, and Heaney:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Unit 1: Aspects of dramatic tragedy
- Written exam: 2 hours
- Closed book
- Two questions: one passage-based (25 marks) and one essay (25 marks)
- 50% of AS Level (20% of A Level)
Unit 2: Place in literary texts
- Written exam: 2 hours
- Open book
- Two questions: one on prose (25 marks) and one on poetry (25 marks)
50% of AS Level (20% of A Level)
- Each unit carries 80 uniform marks
- Assessment objectives equally weighted: AO1, AO2, AO3 each 33.3%
- Exams available in January and June
- Grading: A–E for AS; A*–E for A Level:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Oxford AQA International AS English Literature isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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