Skip to main content
Nottingham College logo

Key Details

Course Area:

English and Maths

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

Studying English language at A Level provides you with a great grounding in the skills you’ll need while you’re studying at this level across a whole range of other subjects, as well as higher study at University and on into your chosen career.

You will enjoy this A Level if you are someone who enjoys reading, writing and communicating and who wants to develop their abilities in these areas. You’ll have the opportunity to explore areas of interest whilst also examining more closely at how language and communication impacts society.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Throughout this course you will become proficient in analysing spoken and written language and you will develop your knowledge and passion for literary texts. You will also develop your writing skills and broader communications skills, engaging in regular discussion and debate. Due to the range of skills nurtured and developed in this course you’ll find that it complements a wide range of A Level subjects to study alongside this one. Topics and assessments include:

  • Language, the individual and society (written paper)
  • Language diversity and change (written paper)
  • A non-exam assessment (NEA) which involves a language investigation of your choice, allowing you the freedom to explore your own areas of interest.

Course Information

A Level English Language

Level 3

2 year A Level Programme:

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English at grade 5 or above and Maths at grade 4 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-6 including GCSE English at grade 5 or above and Maths at grade 4 or above

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

You’ll undertake a combination of examinations and non-exam assessment. (The exam component will be worth 80% of the final grade.)

This course is a pathway to a huge range of higher education courses. The skills you learn will be invaluable for essay writing, dissertations, report writing and presentations in later life.

This course can open a number of doors for you including; teaching, journalism, playwriting, marketing, PR and media.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

A Level English Language and Literature

A Level English Literature

A Level Further Maths