IGCSE World Literature Topics: Full List

IGCSE World Literature introduces you to literature from different countries, cultures and time periods through poetry, prose and drama. This guide explains how the Cambridge IGCSE World Literature course is organised, the literary topics you'll study, and the prescribed set texts for current and upcoming examination years.

Key Takeaways

• Cambridge IGCSE World Literature develops your understanding of poetry, prose and drama from around the world.

• The course combines close reading, literary analysis and personal response with the study of prescribed set texts.

• Set texts change regularly, so it's important to use the list for your examination year.

• Understanding how the course is organised can help you plan your revision and prepare for each assessment.

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Cambridge International is the only exam board offering Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408). Although the qualification remains the same, the prescribed set texts change over time, and there are some differences between the assessment structure for examinations in 2025–2027 (opens in a new tab) and 2028–2030 (opens in a new tab). Therefore, before you begin revising, make sure you're using the syllabus and set text list for your examination year.

Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408) Topics (Exams in 2027)

The 2027 specification (opens in a new tab) is organised around three assessment components: coursework, unseen poetry and prescribed set texts. Together, these help you develop your skills in close reading, literary analysis and personal response through the study of international literature.

Set texts change regularly, so always check you're using the correct list for your examination year.

Component 1: Coursework

For the coursework component, you'll study one drama text and one prose text from different countries or cultures. You'll develop your ability to analyse literature, support your ideas with textual evidence and communicate an informed personal response.

Throughout this component, you'll focus on:

• Close reading of prose and drama texts

• Exploring themes, characters, relationships and ideas

• Analysing writers' use of language, structure and form

• Supporting interpretations with quotations and textual evidence

• Critical literary analysis

• Writing a critical essay

• Writing an empathic response from the perspective of a character

Paper 2: Unseen Poetry

Paper 2 develops your ability to respond confidently to poetry you haven't studied before.

As you prepare for Paper 2, you'll develop your ability to:

• Analyse unseen poetry through close reading

• Explore themes, ideas and the poet's message

• Analyse how language, structure and form create meaning

• Support your interpretations with evidence from the poem

• Communicate an informed personal response

There are no prescribed texts for Paper 2. Instead, you'll prepare by reading and analysing a wide range of poems from different periods, styles and cultures. Regular practice with unseen poems will help you develop the analytical skills needed for the examination.

Paper 3: Set Text

Paper 3 focuses on the detailed study of prescribed literary texts.

As you prepare for Paper 3, you'll develop your ability to:

• Analyse prescribed poetry, prose and drama texts

• Explore themes, characters, relationships and ideas

• Analyse writers' use of language, structure and form

• Support interpretations with quotations and textual evidence

• Communicate an informed personal response to literary texts

2027 Prescribed Set Texts

Poetry

Study the following 14 poems from Songs of Ourselves, Volume 1 (Part 5: Poems from the 19th and 20th Centuries (III)):

Drama & Prose

Candidates study at least one of the following prescribed texts.

Short Stories

Depending on your centre's choice of set texts, you may also study Stories of Ourselves, Volume 2, which includes the following ten stories:

How Is the IGCSE World Literature 2027 Specification Assessed?

Save My Exams offers IGCSE World Literature Past Papers to help you become familiar with the exam structure and the types of questions you may be asked.

Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408) (Exams from 2028)

From 2028, Cambridge IGCSE World Literature follows an updated specification (opens in a new tab). You'll continue to develop your understanding of poetry, prose and drama from around the world. However, changes to the coursework and prescribed set texts mean it's important to check that you're using the correct specification and set text list for your examination year.

Component 1: Coursework

For the coursework component, you'll submit two essays based on drama texts. You may base both essays on the same play or study two different plays. Throughout this component, you'll develop your analytical and interpretative skills while responding critically and creatively to dramatic texts.

Throughout this component, you'll focus on:

• Close reading of drama texts

• Exploring themes, characters, relationships and dramatic techniques

• Analysing writers' use of language, structure and dramatic methods

• Supporting interpretations with quotations and textual evidence

• Critical literary analysis

• Writing a critical essay

• Writing an empathic essay from the perspective of a character

Paper 2: Poetry

Paper 2 combines the study of prescribed poetry with the analysis of unseen poetry. You'll study all 15 prescribed poems from Songs of Ourselves, Volume 3, while also developing the skills to analyse poems you haven't studied before.

As you prepare for Paper 2, you'll develop your ability to:

• Analyse both prescribed and unseen poetry through close reading

• Explore themes, ideas and the poet's message

• Analyse how language, structure and form create meaning

• Support interpretations with evidence from the poem

• Communicate an informed personal response

2028–2030 Prescribed Poetry

All students study the following 15 poems from Songs of Ourselves, Volume 3.

Paper 3: Set Text (Prose)

Paper 3 focuses on the detailed study of prescribed prose texts through both extract-based and essay questions.

As you prepare for Paper 3, you'll develop your ability to:

• Analyse prescribed prose texts

• Explore themes, characters, relationships and ideas

• Analyse writers' use of language and structure

• Support interpretations with quotations and textual evidence

• Communicate an informed personal response to literary texts

2028–2030 Prescribed Prose Texts

2028–2030 Prescribed Short Stories

Stories of Ourselves, Volume 2 (2028)

Stories of Ourselves, Volume 3 (2029–2030)

How Is Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408) Assessed? (Exams from 2028)

From 2028, Cambridge IGCSE World Literature is assessed through one coursework component and two written examinations. Each component contributes approximately one-third of your final grade. 

Understanding the format of each component can help you plan your revision and prepare effectively for the different types of assessment.

Save My Exams offers IGCSE World Literature Past Papers to help you become familiar with the exam structure and the type of questions asked. However, if you’re following the updated syllabus from 2028 onwards, do bear in mind that the assessments will have changed slightly. 

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

Using the topic list throughout your course can help you stay organised and make sure you're preparing for every part of the qualification.

Plan Your Revision

Use the topic list to create a revision checklist. As you complete each area of the course, tick it off and identify any topics or literary skills that need more practice. This can help you build a balanced revision timetable and ensure you cover each assessment component.

Practise Your Literary Analysis Skills

Success in IGCSE World Literature depends on more than knowing the set texts. As you study each component, practise analysing language, structure and literary techniques, and support your ideas with evidence from the text. Developing these skills will help you respond confidently to coursework tasks, unseen poetry, and set-text questions.

Prepare for Each Assessment

Each assessment requires slightly different skills. Alongside revising your set texts, spend time practising unseen poetry, planning essay responses and reviewing feedback on your coursework. Building confidence across all three components will help you approach the examinations with a clear understanding of what each assessment requires.

For more revision advice, explore our guide on how to revise for IGCSE English Literature. Many of the tips and advice will help you prepare for IGCSE World Literature too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to study every IGCSE World Literature topic?

Yes. You'll need to prepare for every assessment component in your specification. This includes developing your literary analysis skills, studying the required set texts for your examination year and practising the different types of responses you'll be asked to write.

Are the set texts the same every year?

No. Cambridge updates the prescribed set texts regularly, so it's important to check that you're using the correct list for your examination year before you begin revising.

How can I prepare for the unseen poetry paper?

The best preparation is to read and analyse a wide range of poems. Regular practice with unseen poetry questions will help you develop your close reading, analytical and essay-writing skills, as well as your confidence in responding to unfamiliar texts.

Do I need to memorise quotations?

You won't have access to your set texts during the written examinations, so it's helpful to learn a range of key quotations from the texts you've studied. You should also practise selecting and using quotations to support your ideas in both coursework and examination responses.

Final Thoughts

IGCSE World Literature gives you the opportunity to explore poetry, prose and drama from different countries, cultures and time periods while developing valuable analytical and writing skills. Understanding how your specification is organised and which set texts apply to your examination year can help you prepare effectively for every assessment.

Use this topic list to guide your revision throughout the course, revisit each assessment component regularly and make sure you're studying the correct prescribed texts. Consistent reading, thoughtful analysis and regular writing practice will help you build confidence and achieve your best in the coursework and examinations. Good luck with your revision!

References

• Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408) (opens in a new tab)

• Cambridge IGCSE World Literature 2025-27 (opens in a new tab)

• Cambridge IGCSE 0408 World Literature syllabus for exams in 2028, 2029 and 2030 (opens in a new tab)