HomeA-LevelEnglish Literature
DramaPoetry

A-Level English Literature Tutoring & Prep Course

One-to-one A-Level English Literature tutoring, with full past-paper practice and a personalised study plan built around your target grade.

Since 2008, TestPrep Europe has taught A-Level English Literature through one-to-one tutoring and small-group courses on its own online learning platform. The programme combines the A-Level syllabus with subject teaching, problem solving and past-paper practice.

One-to-one and small groups · Live online · Edexcel, AQA, OCR and Cambridge specifications

See pricesAll A-Level subjects
From a TestPrep A-Level English Literature private lesson — comparing unseen poems, organised by assessment objectives AO1 to AO4

100% live online lessons

About the subject

A-Level English Literature: what it covers and who it suits

A-Level English Literature tutoring at TestPrep Europe follows the AQA 7712 (English Literature A) exam structure shown on this page; we also work with students on the Pearson Edexcel and OCR specifications, whose set texts and papers differ. We teach the set texts, unseen poetry and prose, comparative essay technique, different interpretations (AO5) and the non-exam assessment (NEA), with explicit focus on the five Assessment Objectives.

  • Paper 1 Love through the ages (40%, 3 hours): Shakespeare, Unseen poetry and Comparing texts
  • Paper 2 Texts in shared contexts (40%, 2 hours 30 minutes): Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath or Option 2B Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day
  • NEA Independent critical study: texts across time (20%): a 2,500-word comparative essay on two texts, one written before 1900
Read more

A-Level English Literature develops the close-reading, critical analysis and academic writing skills that underpin success in humanities and social-science degrees. Most English degree courses ask for it, and it is a strong foundation for Law, History, Philosophy and Liberal Arts applications.

A-Level English Literature (AQA 7712) is a demanding two-year course. Love through the ages covers a Shakespeare play, a poetry text and a prose text (one written before 1900) plus two unseen poems; Texts in shared contexts covers prose, poetry and drama from Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath or Option 2B Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day, with at least one text written after 2000. Students develop close reading, comparison across forms and periods, and an awareness of context and of different interpretations. The NEA, Independent critical study: texts across time, is a 2,500-word comparative essay on two texts, at least one written before 1900. Our programme combines close-reading workshops, timed essay practice with feedback against AQA's mark schemes, and NEA guidance that stays within AQA's rules.

One-to-one A-Level English Literature tutoring

Our one-to-one A-Level tutoring is built around your current grade, your target grade and the exam board you are sitting. Each lesson works on your weak topics, drills AQA, OCR, Edexcel past-paper questions and walks through mark schemes, so you know exactly how marks are awarded.

A private group for A-Level English Literature

There is no open group timetable for this subject. Bring 3 or more students together and we open a private group course for you. The price per student depends on how many subjects you take, with 30 hours of live lessons in each: 1 subject (30 hours) €1,026, 2 subjects (60 hours) €1,919, 3 subjects (90 hours) €2,677 and 4 subjects (120 hours) €3,480. Each student buys their own place online, and we let you know as soon as your group is ready.

Exam

A-Level English Literature exam format

Exam boards: AQA, OCR, Edexcel

  • Paper 1: Love through the ages (AQA 7712)

    40%

    3 hours, 75 marks; open book in Section C only. Section A: Shakespeare, one passage-based question with a linked essay (25 marks). Section B: a compulsory essay on two unseen poems (25 marks). Section C: Comparing texts, one essay linking two texts (25 marks). Students study one poetry and one prose text (one of them pre-1900) and one Shakespeare play.

  • Paper 2: Texts in shared contexts (AQA 7712)

    40%

    2 hours 30 minutes, 75 marks, open book. Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath or Option 2B Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day, with three texts across prose, poetry and drama (one written after 2000). Section A: one essay on a set text (25 marks). Section B: a compulsory question on an unseen prose extract (25 marks) and one essay linking two texts (25 marks).

  • NEA: Independent critical study: texts across time (AQA 7712)

    20%

    A comparative critical study of two texts, at least one written before 1900: one extended essay of 2,500 words plus a bibliography, 50 marks. Assessed by teachers and moderated by AQA.

One-to-One Tutoring

A-Level English Literature Private Tutoring

Fully customised one-to-one A-Level tutoring with experienced Cambridge / Edexcel specialists. A* preparation across every A-Level subject.

  • A fully personalised A-Level lesson plan
  • Maths, Further Maths, Sciences, Economics and every other subject
  • Past-paper and mock-exam-driven coaching
  • Flexible schedule and pacing

How it works

  1. 1

    Tell us your goal

    We start from your school syllabus, your exam date and the result you are aiming for.

  2. 2

    Your own plan

    We map out the lessons you need, unit by unit.

  3. 3

    Live one-to-one lessons

    Meet your tutor online at times that suit your week.

  4. 4

    Regular progress checks

    Homework and a short check after each lesson show how you are getting on.

Start one-to-one A-Level English Literature

Per lesson in a package, from

€85

See all prices

Ideal for students aiming at A*, Oxbridge or Russell Group universities, or anyone who needs help in specific subjects.

Book one-to-one lessons

No package needed — you can book a single lesson.

Even our newest A-Level tutor has been teaching A-Level prep since 2016.

  • 100% First-Lesson Money-Back Guarantee

    Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.

  • Secure Payments

    Powered by Stripe with 256-bit encryption.

    Stripe

  • Flexible Billing

    Pay in EUR — local cards welcome, instalments available.

Lessons cancelled less than 3 hours before the start count as taken. Full terms

Included in lessons

Practice built into your A-Level English Literature lessons

Every topic you cover in A-Level English Literature is reinforced with question sets your tutor puts together for you. This programme has no separately sold question bank or practice test.

Mock exams included in the programme
  • Targeted questions on every topic
  • Practice sets built around your weak areas
  • Exam-style practice with past papers and mark schemes
  • Worked solutions and feedback on every question

Syllabus

A-Level English Literature topics

Topic names are those of the AQA 7712 specification; other exam boards order and name them a little differently.

1

3.1 Love through the ages

  • Core set texts: Shakespeare
  • Chosen comparative set texts: poetry and prose
2

3.2 Texts in shared contexts

  • Option A: WW1 and its aftermath
  • Option B: Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day
3

3.3 Independent critical study: texts across time

Approach

How we teach A-Level English Literature

Study plan

  1. 1

    Phase 1 — Year 12: Love through the ages

    Shakespeare, poetry and prose set texts

    • Shakespeare close reading: theme, language, structure (Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure or The Winter's Tale)
    • Poetry: AQA Anthology of Love Poetry through the Ages (Pre-1900 or Post-1900)
    • Prose: voice, narration, character, compared with the poetry text
    • Unseen poetry: timed essays on two unseen poems
  2. 2

    Phase 2 — Years 12–13: Texts in shared contexts

    Option 2A WW1 and its aftermath or Option 2B Modern times

    • Three set texts: prose, poetry and drama (at least one post-2000)
    • Theme mapping for the chosen option
    • Unseen prose extract practice
    • Essays linking two texts
  3. 3

    Phase 3 — Different interpretations (AO5)

    Critical readings and how interpretations change over time

    • Feminist (Showalter, Greer, Butler)
    • Marxist (Eagleton, Williams)
    • Postcolonial (Said, Spivak)
    • Psychoanalytic (Freud, Lacan)
  4. 4

    Phase 4 — Year 13: NEA and mocks

    Independent critical study: texts across time (2,500 words) and both papers

    • Theme and task agreed with the school's teacher
    • Two texts by two authors, one pre-1900, no exam set texts
    • Critical reading and bibliography (outside the word count)
    • Timed mocks for Paper 1 and Paper 2

How lessons work

  • Five-AO discipline

    AQA assesses all five AOs in every question (AO1 28%, AO2 and AO3 24% each, AO4 and AO5 12% each). Every essay attempt is colour-coded by AO so the student sees which one is under-scoring.

  • Split paragraph reflex

    Comparative essays reward integrated comparison. We drill the split-paragraph habit so students don't have to design structure under exam pressure.

  • NEA guidance within AQA's rules

    The NEA must be the student's own work, and AQA does not allow suggestions for improvement on drafts. So the preparation comes before drafting: choosing texts and a focused theme, reading critics, referencing, and comparative writing practice on other texts.

Advice

A-Level English Literature: common mistakes and study tips

  • MistakeComparative essays that read 'first A, then B' rather than comparing.

    FixSplit paragraphs are not a rule, but they keep comparison inside every paragraph: each PEE paragraph cites both texts and uses comparative connectives ('whereas', 'similarly', 'in contrast').

  • MistakeCritical views (AO5) name-dropped without engagement.

    FixStrong answers tie each critical view to a specific critic or reading (Showalter, Eagleton, Said, Lacan), test it against a specific moment in the text and weigh it against their own interpretation.

  • MistakeContext (AO3) parked in the introduction and forgotten.

    FixContext should be woven into every body paragraph, not isolated. AQA assesses all five AOs in every question, so context belongs throughout the answer.

  • MistakeNEA research questions that are too broad.

    FixNarrow the task to a specific theme, technique and context (e.g. 'How do Anne Brontë in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Margaret Atwood in Alias Grace use first-person narration to construct female agency?'). Exam set texts cannot be used, and teachers may not suggest improvements on drafts, so the focus has to be right from the start.

Study tips

  • Build a personal bank of close-reading observations for each text; the most rewarded answers cite specific words, images and structural features rather than plot summary.
  • Master comparative writing early: AQA assesses all five AOs in every question, and AO4 (connections across texts) carries about 12% of each one.
  • Read literary criticism actively for AO5 (different interpretations): test each critic's reading against a specific moment in the text rather than name-dropping.
  • Practise the unseen poetry response under timed conditions weekly; pattern recognition for poetic technique is built through repetition.

Ready to raise your A-Level English Literature grade?

You can start one-to-one A-Level English Literature lessons with a single lesson. Every package and price is on one page.

  • Live one-to-one lessons online
  • No package needed — book a single lesson
  • Lesson times that fit your school week
Chat on WhatsAppSee all pricesCall us: +44 7862 610215

You can also write to us through our contact page.

Other subjects

Related and other A-Level subjects

Often taken alongside this subject

All A-Level subjects

View All A-Level Subjects
FAQ

A-Level English Literature Prep — Frequently Asked Questions

The questions students ask most about A-Level English Literature preparation.

Different rather than harder. Literature requires close-reading and analytical writing; Language requires linguistic analysis and a wider variety of writing styles. Choose the one that matches your strengths and the degree you have in mind.

It depends on the texts your school chooses from the exam board's lists. For AQA 7712 the Shakespeare play is one of Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure or The Winter's Tale; the other set texts come from the Love through the ages lists and from your Texts in shared contexts option (WW1 and its aftermath or Modern times).

All three are accepted equally by UK universities; they differ in their set-text lists and paper structure. The structure on this page is AQA 7712's. The choice usually follows the school.

Yes. Most English degrees require it (some also accept English Language and Literature) — Cambridge's English course, for example, asks for one of the two, with a minimum offer of A*AA — and it is strong for Law, History, PPE and other humanities pathways.

Yes — it must be your own work. Your teacher can explain the task and the marking criteria and advise on whether a proposed task is suitable; when checking drafts they may ask about your approach but may not suggest improvements, and any extra help is recorded on the Candidate record form. We never write or rewrite the NEA.

Active recognition rather than memorisation. AO5 in AQA 7712 is about exploring different interpretations, so one or two critics per school of thought is usually enough, as long as you test their readings against specific moments in the text and reach your own view.

The money-back guarantee covers live lessons. If you are not satisfied after your first private lesson, we refund your payment in full.

Lessons cancelled less than 3 hours before the start count as taken and are not refunded. A lesson that has not been paid for 3 hours before it starts is cancelled automatically.

A-Level English Literature reviews

Be the first to review this programme.

Share your experience

Your comment will appear after approval.

Your rating

All TestPrep Europe reviews