English Literature GCSE Course

This English Literature GCSE Course gives students the opportunity to explore their literary interests through reading a wide range of classic literature and is designed to show the depth and power of the English literary heritage. Students will read extensively and critically so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas fluently, and make connections across their reading.

This specification is designed to show the depth and power of the English literary heritage and students will need to write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English and will acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.

There are eleven tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) included in this course which are designed to prepare you for your GCSE Examinations.

The English Literature GCSE course prepares students for the AQA 8702 GCSE English Literature specification for examination in May/June 2026 or later years.

Please Note: The closing date for learners aiming for Summer 2025 exams has now passed. The closing date for learners aiming for Summer 2026 exams is 15 November 2025.

Assessment is by two examination papers.

• Paper 1: Shakespeare & the 19th Century Novel is 40% of the total marks. The exam is 1 Hour and 45 Minutes and is 64 Marks.
• Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry is 60% of the total marks. The exam is 2 Hours and 15 Minutes and is 96 Marks and the course materials cover the Power and Conflict cluster of poems.

There are no prerequisites for starting this course. We don’t recommend that you should study more than 5 GCSE or IGCSE courses at any one time.

Please Note: We cannot accept students who are under 16 years old on this course. All applications are subject to acceptance from our course advisory team.

The English Literature GCSE Home Study Course is Divided into Six Modules Containing 23 Lessons:

Additional Reading:

You are required to study a Poetry Anthology and three further texts in detail. The following three texts match the AQA criteria to study on this course.

Students will also require the following books:

• William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (Cambridge School Shakespeare; ISBN-13: 978-0521618700)
• Mary Shelley: Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus (Wisehouse Classics; ISBN: 978-9176370698). This is the original 1818 edition of the novel.
• J.B. Priestley: An Inspector Calls (Penguin Classics; ISBN: 978-0-14-118535-4)

AQA do not nominate specific editions, but we recommend the above versions. In each case it is acceptable to use a different edition.

We recommend purchasing any books after receiving your course materials to make sure there have been no revisions.

The course materials are supplied in a hard-copy format (paper-based) and learners can also receive access to the course notes online through a course portal at no additional charge. 

Learners often find hard-copy materials easier to work through and bookmark but the online access allows additional features such as direct links to YouTube Videos and online quizzes so having both versions available allows the learner the convenience and flexibility of both options. 

There are a set number of tutor-marked assignments (TMA's) in every course. These are designed to help the student to consolidate their learning and prepare for examinations.

Students will be supported until their chosen examination window. Every student will have access to a course tutor with whom they should keep in regular contact. All tutors are fully qualified experienced teachers holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a degree in education. Most work from home and are able to offer flexible contact times. The tutor will contact students with an introductory letter and a telephone call to help decide on a study plan. They will also let the student know the best ways and times they can be contacted.

There is no limit on how often you can contact a tutor. The advice and encouragement that tutors provide is an important part of your learning experience. You can contact your tutor by Phone, Email or Post. All tutors have a Freephone 0800 telephone number and most will have Skype capabilities. Whilst you are still actively submitting assignments, you should expect to be in contact with your tutor regularly. Remember, to get the most out of your tutor, you will need to tell them when you need assistance.

All AQA specification GCSE Exams must be taken at a registered examination centre as a private candidate. We offer course materials and tutor support although we don't offer the examinations. An Examinations Officer can assist any registered student with finding centres and dealing with coursework forms, but we do not book exams on behalf of students and it is the students responsibility to book their own exams. 

Students are contacted in December/January prior to their examination window and advised to start arranging their examinations. AQA have over 300 examination centres in the UK. If you would like to research exam centres prior to enrolment then you can visit the AQA Page for Finding a School or College which shows a selection of centres set out geographically. Private Candidates cannot complete AQA Specification Exams outside of the UK. Students wanting to sit exams outside of the UK should consider IGCSE Specifications. 

Examination Dates and Fees:

GCSE exams are available in a Summer examination window (May/June) and some subjects are also available in a November examination window. Examination fees need to be paid direct to your chosen exam centre. Prices for exams will vary depending on the exam centre's administration costs.

Students can decide to study towards an examination window up to a two-year period (providing the specification and exams are available over that duration). Each GCSE Course will take approximately 200 hours of study to complete so if you are unsure that you can complete the course prior to the next available exam window then we recommend aiming towards a later option. You can sign up for a course at any time although course tutors set closing dates for students aiming for each examination window.

Please Note - The closing date set by tutors for the 2025 examination window has passed:

• The closing date set by tutors for learners aiming towards the Summer 2026 examinations will be 15 November 2025.
• The closing date set by tutors for learners aiming towards the November 2025 examinations will be 12 June 2025.

The closing dates are set by tutors based on when they think it is reasonable for learners to be aiming for a particular examination window whilst taking into consideration the impact on student support. When closing dates have passed, we can only accept learners aiming towards the next available examination window e.g. Summer 2026, or if more time is needed then learners can choose to aim for the next exam window e.g. Summer 2027 providing the specification is still available. All learners are required to choose their intended exam window as part of their course application.

Please Note: Only Maths GCSE is currently available in the November exam window.

• Summer 2025 Exam Timetable
• Summer 2026 Exam Timetable (Not Yet Available)
• Information for Private Candidates
• Booking GCSE and IGCSE Exams
• The New GCSE and IGCSE Grading System
• What is the difference between GCSE and IGCSE

Predicted grades without a reference are available free of charge on request. If applying to a college or other further education establishment and you require a refernce with predicted grades then this is available at an additional cost of £45.00. A course advisor will discuss your predicted grades and progress with each individual tutor and put together a comprehensive reference that can be sent on your behalf. 

Please Note: Students need to have completed a minimum of four assignments per subject in order for us to have something to base our reference/prediction on.