The GCE, or ‘A level’ in English is a UK centric qualification is equivalent to the pre-university level study of English. Offered by all major UK exam boards, the two year courses offered include the sole study of either English Language or English literature, or a combined course on both.[1]
While students must complete two years of study to be awarded the A level, they can also study the subject in AS Level which takes one year of study only. However, the results in AS Level exams are not counted as part of A Level, and entry requirements to UK universities largely comprise of A Level results instead of AS Level results.
The aims of the Language courses include studying language as used by different speakers (i.e. children), business and industry (ie media), and time periods (studying texts from those points in time). It is intended to explore the diversity of the language, allowing for quite broad and open study, while also examining some of the mechanics and particular constructional elements of English, allowing students to investigate from a more technical angle. Students also need to show their own skills through the production of different writing types.
The Literature course requires an in-depth study of varying influential works in the English language. These would include the study of texts such as Shakespeare, but also those of his predecessors and contemporaries, like Chaucer and Marlowe. Students are examined on prose, poetry and drama, and will also complete a critical study of their own.
Teachers at CANA work students through the in-depth studies, shadowing and deepening their exploration of text types in language and literature to bring about self-discovery of deeper issues.
We put the technical details associated with language into clearly explained material to ensure that your knowledge of the fundamentals is secure, before expanding and improving your appreciation of the more complex ideas in literature.
If you’re a student who is thinking of transitioning from International Baccalaureate to A-Level or vice versa, you aren’t alone. Students commonly switch to A-level because the IB course load is too daunting, or they plan on moving to England for high school or university, or want to focus on fewer subjects. Conversely, some students switch from A-level to IB because they prefer a more international curriculum or want to take more electives. It is challenging but certainly achievable to switch syllabuses, even if you’ve already started with one. If you are taking English Literature, here are some key differences between the IB and A-level courses:
Standard and Higher; AS and A-level
For IB, you can choose whether to take your subject at Standard or Higher Level, as long as these options are available in your school. IB English A: Literature at SL is significantly easier than HL. For example, in Paper 1, SL students select one extract to write a commentary on whereas HL students must complete commentaries on both extracts. HL students must also write an additional self-directed essay on a literary text of their choice. Paper 2 and Individual Oral components are mostly identical between HL and SL.
In contrast, A-levels only offer one track for the chosen subject and there is no option to take English Literature at an easier level. However, students have the opportunity to take AS Levels, which are exams at the end of the first year. AS Levels count as their own qualification as well as being useful mock exams. This means if you drop a subject after the first year, your AS Level grades still contribute to UCAS points, though they are only worth 40% of a completed A-level and are not a completed degree. In addition, there is some slight variation in exam style depending on the exam board (OCR, AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel), so do your research and check mark schemes carefully.
Breadth vs. Depth
In IB, students are required to take six subjects, with additional Theory of Knowledge classes, extracurricular (CAS) requirements, and an Extended Essay. With so much to juggle, your focus is more spread out and you will spend less time on each subject. In A-level, it is typically acceptable to take three or four subjects, so subjects can go into more depth. In A-level English Literature, you will go into detail with each text, spend more time in class discussion, and slowly develop your skills for writing analysis and interpreting literature. In a way, A-level English Literature fosters the love for English at a more natural pace, whereas IB introduces students to an excitingly wide range of literature in a fast-paced way.
Difference in exams
IB English Literature has two external assessments taken at the end of two years - Paper 1 and Paper 2. In your first year, you will also complete an internally assessed Individual Oral exam, and HL students will complete an additional analytical essay. All IB English exams are closed-book.
In A-level, assessed components differ between various exam boards. For example, Cambridge splits their assessments into 4 closed-book exams, each 2 hours long. In contrast, AQA features some open-book components in their assessments. All A-level students will write a comparative critical study of two texts, and there are no oral exams. If you perform well under pressure, IB English Literature may be preferable for you. However, if you prefer taking your time on coursework or if oral exams make you nervous, A-level may be more suitable.
Differing analysis styles
IB and A-level English Literature foster the same skills in students - understanding literature, picking evidence, writing analysis, and forming your own interpretations. However, IB English arguably focuses more on naming specific techniques (e.g. enjambment, auditory imagery, symbolism, etc.) and analyzing their effects in depth. On the other hand, A-level focuses more on students developing their individual interpretations of literature, so you might explore the wider effect of a few lines rather than examine individual words. A-level also differs from IB because it considers various critics’ viewpoints. Students will interpret texts through the lens of gender, postcolonialism, modernism, and other such views. In exams, you’ll be encouraged to quote and comment on critical views and say why you agree or disagree.
Global focus vs. Classical focus
In A-level, Shakespeare and Poetry are core components, and teachers typically choose “classical” English texts for class study (think Jane Eyre, John Keats, Pride and Prejudice, Paradise Lost, etc.) Most of your A-level texts will likely come from the British literary canon or be originally written in English. In contrast, IB encourages a more worldwide, modern focus by including a unit for literature in translation and an individual oral on global issues. This encourages teachers to pick texts from other cultures, some of which may be obscure. A-level lacks this component, but focuses on a wider range of time periods.
Finding resources
The IBO does not release their materials freely online - it’s difficult to even find the syllabus through legal means. A-level, on the other hand, is far more accessible. Official websites provide everything from syllabuses to some course material to past papers. The A-level programs have also been running for longer, so it’s easier to find subject guides, videos, and revision sources. However, be careful to use the correct syllabus for your exam board.
Ultimately, it is perfectly possible to switch from IB to A-level, or from A-level to IB. Being aware of the differences makes it easier to put in extra work where it’s needed and transition smoothly.
