Studying English Literature GCSE or IGCSE gives students the opportunity
to expand and explore their love of reading and to develop their literary interests. Our students will gain the skills to;
- enjoy a wide range of classic literature with the comprehension to make connections across their reading
- read in-depth and evaluate critically, so that they are able to discuss and explain the author’s and their own ideas and emotions
- develop the habit of reading widely and often
- appreciate the depth and power of the astonishing English literary heritage
- write accurately, coherently and analytically about their reading, using fluent and persuasive language
- acquire and use a wide vocabulary, deploying grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic forms to properly criticise and analyse the written word
What factors should I take into account when choosing the course to study?
You should consider the points made below before you decide to choose either the GCSE or the International GCSE, but please remember that they are not interchangeable once you begin your studies. At the point of enrolment, you must decide on one or the other and discussion with one of our experienced Student Advisers will help you to make your choice.
Course Content
Both GCSE and IGCSE courses carry equal weight with further institutions. Neither could be said to be easier.
Both are designed to develop competence in and a love for English Literature and to achieve this they focus on different texts. Most notably, GCSE students will study Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein whilst IGCSE students study John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Both courses have a Poetry Anthology with the contents set by their respective exam boards. There is considerable overlap between the two anthologies, although some poems are different.
Course content could be important here and it may help to compare specifications and to consider if you have a preference for British or American classics. A quick look at both main books would also be a good idea.
Examination Structure and Availability
The examination structure of the two courses is very similar. The two GCSE papers are slightly longer than the IGCSE exam papers.
Please note that Private Candidates can take an IGCSE examination abroad but GCSE exams are usually only offered in the UK.
Qualification Recognition
These days there is no difference in recognition between GCSEs and IGCSE. They are both academically rigorous level 2 qualifications recognised by employers and further education institutions alike.
Anything else to consider?
You may want to think about what other exams you will be taking at the same time and, if possible, perhaps take all IGCSEs or all GCSEs.
If they agree to accept Private Candidates, then most exam centres will offer both GCSE and IGCSE, so it is quite possible to mix them. However, if you are taking three or four other IGCSEs, then it makes sense to choose the English IGCSE as well. All your results will appear on one certificate and, should you ever lose your certificate, you will only need to replace one.
Communicate better, Apply now!
Need further information? Enquire Now!
GCSE Module One: Literary Analysis
- Writing about Yourself
- Comparing Different Versions of an Event
- Imagery and Setting
- Character
- Point of View
Module Two: Essay Technique
- Persuasion
- Paragraphing
- Planning Essays
- Argument
Module Three: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
- Studying Shakespeare
- Acts I and II
- Acts III, IV and V
- Characters and Themes
Module Four: J.B. Priestley: An Inspector Calls
- Act One and Characters
- Act Two and Structure
- Act Three and Language
- Themes of the Play
Module Five: Unseen Texts and Poetry Anthology
- Analysing Poems
- Anthology Worksheets
Module Six: Mary Shelley: Frankenstein
- The Plot of Frankenstein
- Mary Shelley and the Gothic Novel
- Characters and Themes
- Frankenstein and Science Fiction
IGCSE Module One: Literary Analysis
- Writing about Yourself
- Comparing Different Versions of an Event
- Imagery and Setting
- Character
- Point of View
Module Two: Essay Technique
- Persuasion
- Paragraphing
- Planning Essays
- Argument
Module Three: Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men
- Characters and Characterisation
- Themes
- Structure and Plot
- Style and Viewpoint
- Glossary
Module Four: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
- Studying Shakespeare
- The First Two Acts
- Acts III, IV and V
- Characters and Themes
Module Five: Unseen Poetry and the Poetry Anthology
- Analysing Poems
- Anthology Worksheets
Module Six: J.B. Priestley: An Inspector Calls
- An Inspector Calls: The curtain rises
- Act Two
- Act Three and a Twist in the Tale
Online Course? Paper-based? Somewhere in between? It’s your choice!
All of our GCSE English Literature students receive:
- Traditional printed learning materials
- Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
- Unmatched support by a fully-qualified teacher online and by phone
GCSE Exam Structure
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
- Section A: Shakespeare
- Section B: Frankenstein
This paper lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes and contributes to 40% of the overall mark.
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
- Section A: J.B. Priestley: An Inspector Calls
- Section B: Poetry Anthology
- Section C: Unseen Poetry
This paper lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and contributes to 60% of the overall mark.
IGCSE Exam Structure
Paper 1: Poetry and Modern Prose
- Section A: Unseen Poetry
- Section B: Anthology Poetry:
- Section C: Modern Prose
This paper lasts 2 hours and contributes to 60% of the overall mark.
Paper 2: Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts
- Section A – Modern Drama
- Section B – Literary Heritage Texts
This paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and contributes to 40% of the overall mark.
Course price
Our GCSE/IGCSE English Literature course fee is £395.
You may pay using our interest-free easy payment scheme. Pay a £79 deposit followed by eight monthly instalments of £39.50.
Multiple courses attract a discount. See our pricing page for further details.
Course duration and Study time
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling, we will agree on an intended examination date with you. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 9 months or 30.
200 hours of study are recommended for this course.
Tutor Support
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact
When you begin this course, you will agree an examination date or dates with your Student Adviser. Your support period lasts up to this examination date.
Sample Lessons
Meet Our Tutors
I am a qualified teacher and have completed a course in the skills needed for online tutoring. I have also been a distance-learning student myself, as I achieved my BA(Arts) degree through the Open University while working full-time.
I can only say that education opens doors, as it did for me, so I am very keen that you achieve what you want from your studies. Remember I am here to help you and you can be sure that I have been through some of the same challenges and hurdles you may encounter when I was a distance-learning student.
Felicity Kaye
IGCSE Required Texts
Three primary books are studied within the course. Edexcel recommends the specific editions shown below. The examination of Of Mice and Men is a closed book examination. However, you may take an unmarked copy of An Inspector Calls and Romeo and Juliet into Paper 2 of the examination.
Books
GCSE required texts
Three primary books are studied within the course. AQA does not insist on specific editions but we recommend the editions shown below. The examination of Frankenstein (Paper 1) is a closed book examination. However, you may take an unmarked copy of An Inspector Calls and Romeo and Juliet into Paper 2 of the examination.
Books
FAQs
Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Oxford Home Schooling is a long-established educational trust that prides itself on
- treatment of every student as an individual
- customer service
- course quality.
- We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by students who have studied with us.
- We provide online and printed resources so you can study your way – other providers do not give you that choice.
- We make it easy for you to home-educate your children with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.
- Every year we help hundreds of children who have left mainstream education obtain the qualifications they need to progress and achieve their goals.
- Oxford Home Schooling is part of a not-for-profit trust so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your child’s tuition or on improving our courses.
What is an International GCSE?
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) qualifications are comparable to the UK GCSE specifications, with appropriate international content and assessment that will enable successful progression for learners.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs are studied in over 80 countries worldwide and in independent schools in the UK. Available in 37 subjects, they are equivalent, grade for grade, to UK GCSEs and accepted by universities globally. Aimed at learners aged 14 to 16, they provide the skills and knowledge needed to progress to A Levels, International A Levels, onto university and into employment.
Full details of Pearson Edexcel’s International GCSEs can be found here
When will I sit my exam?
The English Literature GCSE and IGCSE papers may be sat in the Summer or the Autumn examination series. The Summer series typically runs from mid-May to late June and the Autumn series is in November.
How and when do I book an exam?
The final date for booking summer exams with the exam board without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance of this date. Start looking once the autumn term begins.
All the information you need to book an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions
- entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres where our students have sat in recent years.
Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has nine current exam venues across the UK: Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
Pearson Edexcel also publishes a list of exam centres that accept private candidates. This won’t list every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.
How much does a English Literature GCSE/IGCSE examination cost?
Your exam fees aren’t included in the course cost as they’re paid directly to the exam centre. They will vary depending on which centre you choose. Generally speaking, dedicated examination services will be more expensive than a local school or college. Prices range from £100 to £250 pounds.
Get creative in English. Apply Now!
Need more information? Enquire Now!