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GCSE English Literature

Study Method Online
Provider Lift College
Recognition AQA
Start Date Enrol anytime
Lift College

Course overview

GCSE English Literature online is an Ofqual-regulated GCSE, awarded by AQA (specification 8702), covering Shakespeare, a 19th-century novel, a modern text, and poetry. It is assessed by two closed-book written exams sat as a private candidate at an approved UK exam centre, resulting in a full national GCSE grade from 9 to 1.

The qualification is at RQF Level 2 and is delivered 100% online by Lift College, with UK tutor support and monthly pay-as-you-learn pricing.

Who's It For?

  • Those who need a GCSE at grade 4 or higher for teacher training, an Access to HE Diploma, or a university application.
  • Those considering A Level English Literature, English Language, or a humanities degree.
  • Those wanting to pair with GCSE English Language to strengthen a mature university application.
  • Those who prefer to study at their own pace with structured online material and full tutor support.
  • Those who enjoy close reading and are willing to memorise quotations for the closed-book exam.
  • Those who can travel to a JCQ-approved exam centre on the summer exam dates.

Job outcomes

  • Teacher training entry (primary or secondary English)
  • A Level English Literature or English Language progression
  • Access to HE Diploma entry
  • Journalism, communications, or marketing role
  • Civil service or policy role entry

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

GCSE English Literature develops critical reading, essay writing, and the ability to analyse texts closely — skills that employers and universities specifically value. Content is structured around four AQA set text choices:

  • A Shakespeare play (typically Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, or The Tempest)
  • A 19th-century novel (typically A Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, or Frankenstein)
  • A modern text (typically An Inspector Calls or Blood Brothers)
  • The AQA poetry anthology (Power and Conflict, or Love and Relationships)

Recognitions

AQA

Accredited/ Certified by AQA

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Typical study time is 12 to 18 months. You study at your own pace; most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own schedule. There are no set term dates or cohorts.

Delivery

The course is studied 100% online and can be started at any time with no fixed term dates. Exams are sat in person at a JCQ-approved exam centre.

You can log in at any time from a phone, tablet or laptop and study at your own pace around work and family commitments.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. Confidence with extended written English, enjoyment of reading, and a willingness to memorise quotations for the closed-book exam will help you succeed. There is no upper age limit and no prior qualification gate.

You will need to register separately as a private candidate with a JCQ-approved exam centre to sit the two written exams, usually for a modest additional fee payable directly to the centre. You will also need to buy your own copies of the set texts (typically £5 to £15 in total).

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Pathways

  • A Level English Literature
  • A Level English Language
  • Access to HE Diploma (humanities, teaching, law, social sciences)
  • Humanities, law, education, and journalism degrees

Course features

  • Personal named UK subject tutor from day one through to your exam series
  • Exam-style practice questions in every unit with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days
  • Progress tracking dashboard showing unit scores, topic strengths, and areas to revisit
  • Optional pre-series exam readiness check, including a timed mock paper
  • AI Study Assistant and study support tools
  • Resubmit work at no extra cost to reach the grade you want
  • Optional study planner for structured learning
  • Support team available by phone, email, or live chat
  • Learner community forum
  • 7-day free trial on sign-up; 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Start any time — no fixed term dates

Work placement

There is no work placement component. Written exams are sat in person at a JCQ-approved exam centre. Centres are run by Tutors and Exams across England, including Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots, and Taunton.

Professional Recognition

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual and awarded by AQA, a recognised UK awarding body. It is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications and sits on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 2. It is independently quality-checked through IQA and EQA processes and is accepted by UK universities, employers, and professional bodies.

Assessment

GCSE English Literature (AQA 8702) is assessed by two closed-book written papers taken in May or June. All questions are compulsory.

  • Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel. 1 hour 45 minutes, 64 marks, 40%. Section A: Shakespeare — one question on an extract in detail then the whole play. Section B: The 19th-century novel — one question on an extract then the whole novel.
  • Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry. 2 hours 15 minutes, 96 marks, 60%. Section A: Modern texts — one essay chosen from two on the studied prose or drama text. Section B: Poetry — a comparative question on a named printed poem and one other from the chosen anthology cluster. Section C: Unseen poetry — one question on an unseen poem plus one comparing it with a second unseen poem.

Grading: 9 to 1.

Exams are sat at approved centres: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton.

Materials

You will need to purchase your own copies of the AQA set texts (typically £5 to £15 in total). All course content is delivered digitally through the online platform.

Additional information

Two study options are available:

  • Study: Full tuition, tutor marking, and study support. You arrange and pay for your own exams.
  • +Exams: Everything in Study, plus exam entry and centre fees included, with exam booking handled by Lift College.

The qualification number is 8702. The awarding body is AQA. Lift College’s UKPRN is 10102267.

Payment options

Course fees:

Study: £407.99 or £39.99 per month

Study + Exams: £713.99 or £69.99 per month

  • Pay monthly with no interest — cancel any time, no contract, no credit checks
  • Pay annually to save versus the monthly rate
  • 7-day free trial on every sign-up — nothing is charged until the trial ends
  • 14-day money-back guarantee on every enrolment
  • Pause or cancel any time
  • Employer sponsorship supported — funding paperwork can be sent to your employer

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Lift College

Lift College is a fully online UK education provider dedicated to A-Levels and GCSEs. Every course is designed, taught and assessed to give adult and independent learners a genuine second route into the qualifications employers, universities and colleges recognise. All teaching happens online. Learners study on our purpose-built online campus with a named UK tutor, structured modules, marked assignments and an AI Study Assistant that answers questions instantly and points learners to the exact page of the specification they need. There is no timetable to keep, no travel, and no fixed start date. Learners begin any day of the year, pause and resume when life gets busy, and move through the material at whatever pace works for them. Every course starts with a 7-day free trial. Learners get full access to the online campus, tutor support, and study materials from day one, and nothing is charged until the trial ends. After the trial, learners have a further 14-day refund period, so there is no financial risk in trying Lift College properly before committing. After that, courses run on a simple monthly subscription with exam entry included. There is no contract, no commitment, no exit fees, no credit checks, and no risk. Learners can cancel or pause at any time, for any reason, in a couple of clicks from their dashboard. Written exams are sat in person at established private-candidate exam centres across England, with entry, venue and invigilation arranged for the learner in advance. Every A-Level and GCSE is delivered to the same awarding-body specifications, and results in the same certificates, as those awarded in schools and colleges. UKPRN 10102267.

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