GCSE English Literature

About This Course

Expand your understanding of classic and modern literature with our GCSE English Literature online course!

Essential for several A Level courses and further study, this nationally recognised qualification is an excellent choice for students wishing to hone their skills in analysing English literature.

From Shakespeare to modern texts and poetry, you’ll delve into some of the world’s most famous writing. Our personal tutors will guide and mentor you through your revision, and help you to be as prepared as possible for your exams.

The curriculum of this course matches that used by UK schools, so you can rest assured you’re achieving the same qualification as your peers.

By enrolling in this online GCSE, you’ll be able to study flexibly, at your own pace, from the comfort of home. When you feel you’re ready, we’ll assist you in booking your exams. Our exam-expert personal tutors and friendly student support team will help you along the way, offering feedback and exam advice to make sure you’re achieving the highest marks possible for you.

Please note: You are able to complete this course without sitting exams; however, in order to achieve a full GCSE English Literature qualification, exams are mandatory.

Course Benefits

Split into 3 units, every element of this course seeks to expand your understanding of English Literature, so you can achieve the theoretical knowledge you need to ace your exams.

This course will:

• Help you to develop a strong foundation of knowledge in English literature you can use to achieve your GCSE.
• Enable you to study on your own terms – no classrooms, no strict deadlines.
• Allow you to study from home – all course materials will be sent straight to your door, enabling you to fit your studies around your obligations.

Course Units

Qualification Number: 601/4447/6

3.1 Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel 

• Students will choose one of the following Shakespeare texts to study:
  • Macbeth
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • The Tempest
  • The Merchant of Venice
  • Much Ado About Nothing
  • Julius Caesar
• Students will study one novel from this list of seven texts:
  • Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
  • Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 
  • Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (1867)
  • Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre
  • Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1831)
  • Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice 
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of Four

3.2 Modern Texts and Poetry

• Students will study one from a choice of set texts from post 1914:
  • JB Priestley An Inspector Calls
  • Willy Russell Blood Brothers (musical version)
  • Dennis Kelly DNA
  • Shelagh Delaney A Taste of Honey
  • Chinonyerem Odimba Princess & The Hustler 
  • Winsome Pinnock Leave Taking  
  • William Golding Lord of the Flies
  • AQA Anthology Telling Tales
  • George Orwell Animal Farm
  • Meera Syal Anita and Me
  • Stephen Kelman Pigeon English
  • Kit de Waal My Name is Leon
• Students will study one cluster of poems taken from the AQA poetry anthology, Poems Past and Present. There are three clusters to choose from:
  • Love and Relationships
  • Power and Conflict
  • Worlds and Lives

3.3 Skills 

• Reading Comprehension and Reading Critically
• Writing

Assessment

To complete the GCSE English Literature course, you will need to sit two written exams at a dedicated exam centre. We’ll help you to book your exams when you’re ready, and we suggest booking as early as possible to secure your place. Exams take place in May and June every year. There is a separate fee when booking your exams that you will pay directly to the exam centre.

Paper 1 

• 1 hour and 45 minutes written exam
• 40% of overall GCSE English Literature marks
• Section A: Shakespeare
• Section B: The 19th Century Novel

Paper 2

• 2 hour and 15 minutes written exam
• 60% of overall GCSE English Literature marks
• Section A: Modern Texts
• Section B: Poetry
• Section C: Unseen Poetry

Required Knowledge

There is no required knowledge to enrol on the GCSE English Literature course.

Awarding Body

Support

When you choose to study your GCSEs online with us, you’re embarking on a learning journey in which you will be supported all the way through.

Exam preparation can be stressful, but we are committed to providing you with every resource you need to succeed.

Our study materials and guides are intended to make GCSE preparation as painless as possible. Our student support team and personal tutors will always be available to provide advice, direction, and feedback.

Once enrolled, you will have access to self-assessment exercises and study questions to help you consolidate your learning, and our exam-expert tutors will guide you towards success.

We feel strongly that no student should ever feel alone in their studies, and you won’t be with us. Whether you have a simple inquiry or require more in-depth assistance, rest assured that our team is here for you.