English Literature - AS

L3 Level 3
Full Time
3 September 2025 — 23 June 2026
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

About this course

Do you enjoy being creative, thinking for yourself, discussing contemporary issues related to literature and developing your ideas in writing and reading? If so, then this course is the perfect choice for you!

Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, this programme will explore novels, plays and poetry including texts and contexts and is also an opportunity to develop creative reading and writing.

The English Literature AS programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate.  Learners may be able to take this qualification as a part-time student.

What you will study

The course comprises the following two modules:

Module 1: Unit 1: Prose and Drama
External 2 hour, closed book examination in the summer

Section A: Prose fiction pre 1900

For this module, you will study the novel Jane Eyre by the renowned writer Charlotte Brontë. You will also learn how to read this prose text in a variety of ways and how to respond critically and creatively. Students will use literary critical concepts with understanding and discrimination and will begin to identify and consider how attitudes and values are expressed in texts. Pupils will also learn to consider the cultural and contextual influences on readers and writers.

Section B: Drama

For this part of the course, you will study A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.  You will learn how to respond critically and creatively to this drama text and to draw on your understanding of different interpretations in responding to and evaluating this text. Students will also gain knowledge on how to write in an appropriate academic style.

Module 2: Unit 2: Poetry Post-1900
External 2 hour, open book (clean copy) examination in the summer.

For this module, you will study the poetry of the renowned writer Seamus Heaney,  covering a variety of poems from the collection of work called Field Work. Paired with this text, you will also be studying the poetry of Welsh Poet, Owen Sheers and his collection of poems in Skirrid Hill. 

You will learn how to analyse how meanings are shaped in poetry texts and the ways in which writers adapt structure, form and language in poetry for effect.  You will also learn how to identify and consider how attitudes and values are expressed in poetry, drawing on your understanding of different interpretations.

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirement English Language minimum B B in English Literature

Teaching and assessment

Two coursework assessments and written exam

Important points

  • The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
  • Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
  • Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
  • Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
  • Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
  • All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
  • Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
  • Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
Key information

Start date

3 September 2025

End date

23 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
Maps & directions

Course code

ASCC3F05
L3

Qualification

English Literature - AS
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What our students say

“CAVC is a great place to study A Levels – the teachers, the support, the facilities and social experience has been so good – I’m delighted to have gained all A’s in my AS exams. The support to apply and prepare for university is brilliant and I’m looking forward to progressing after college.

A Levels learner
Kuba Lewandowski
A Levels

Career prospects & further study

500

Fantastic university progression routes! With hundreds of students gaining places at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading universities. In fact, this year more than 500 students achieved their firm or insurance choice through UCAS, with nearly 100 being Russell Group universities!

On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:

  • Creative Writing
  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • History
  • Government and Politics
  • Languages
  • Psychology

Locations

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE