Oxfordaqa International As and A Level English Literature Specification
Oxfordaqa International As and A Level English Literature Specification
Oxfordaqa International As and A Level English Literature Specification
English
Literature
(9675) Specification
Contents
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Why choose OxfordAQA International AS and A-levels? 5
1.3 Recognition 6
2 Specification at a glance 8
2.1 Subject content and assessments 9
2.2 International AS 9
2.3 International A2 10
5 Scheme of assessment 17
5.1 Availability of assessment units and certification 17
5.2 Aims 18
7 General administration 24
7.1 Entries and codes 24
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 3
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
7.4 Re-sits 25
4 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
1 Introduction
1.1 Why choose OxfordAQA International AS and A-levels?
Our international qualifications enable schools that follow a British curriculum to benefit from the best education
expertise in the United Kingdom (UK).
Our International AS and A-levels offer the same rigour and high quality as AS and A-levels in the UK and are
relevant and appealing to students worldwide. They reflect a deep understanding of the needs of teachers and
schools around the globe and are brought to you by Oxford University Press and AQA, the UK’s leading awarding
body.
Providing valid and reliable assessments, these qualifications are based on over 100 years of experience,
academic research and international best practice. They have been independently validated as being to the same
standard as the qualifications accredited by the UK examinations regulator, Ofqual. They reflect the latest changes
to the British system, enabling students to progress to higher education with up-to-date qualifications.
Offering clear progression from International GCSE, these courses allow students to build on the skills and
knowledge already gained and prepare them for their next steps.
The variety of assessment styles used, such as passage-based questions, unseen material, open and closed-
book approaches allows students to develop a wide range of skills, such as the ability to read critically, analyse,
evaluate and undertake independent research which are valuable for both further study and future employment.
This specification has been designed by an expert team to give international students an interesting and rigorous
course in English literature. The course reflects the international contexts in which the students are studying, while
at the same time preparing them for further study of the subject (should they wish to do so) at leading universities
across the world.
You can find out about all our international AS and A-level English Literature qualifications at
oxfordaqa.com/english
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 5
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
1.3 Recognition
OxfordAQA meet the needs of international students. Please refer to the published timetables on the exams
administration page of our website (oxfordaqa.com/exams-administration) for up to date exam timetabling
information. They are an international alternative and comparable in standard to the Ofqual regulated qualifications
offered in the UK.
Our qualifications have been independently benchmarked by UK NARIC, the UK national agency for providing
expert opinion on qualifications worldwide. They have confirmed they can be considered ‘comparable to the
overall GCE A-level and GCSE standard offered in the UK’. Read their report at oxfordaqa.com/recognition
To see the latest list of universities who have stated they accept these international qualifications, visit
oxfordaqa.com/recognition
Teaching resources
You will have access to:
• sample schemes of work to help you plan your course with confidence
• teacher guidance notes to give you the essential information you need to deliver the specification
• training courses to help you deliver our qualifications
• student textbooks that have been checked and approved by us
• engaging worksheets and activities developed by teachers, for teachers.
6 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results
services, will be available on our website in preparation for the first examination series.
You can contact the subject team directly at [email protected] or call us on +44 (0)161 696 5995
(option 1 and then 1 again).
Please note: We aim to respond to all email enquiries within two working days.
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 7
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
2 Specification at a glance
The titles of the qualifications are:
• take units 1 and 2, for the OxfordAQA International AS qualification, in one series, then units 3 and 4 (or non-
exam equivalent), for the OxfordAQA International A-level qualification in a later series
or
• take units 1, 2, 3 and 4 (or non-exam equivalent) in the same series, leading to the full OxfordAQA International
A-level.
Re-sits will be allowed for any units. One re-sit per unit will be allowed and the highest mark will count. Unlimited
re-sits for the whole qualification will be allowed.
Non-exam assessment marks (NEA) can be carried forward when re-sitting a qualification (either International AS
or International A-level).
The guided learning hours (GLH) for an OxfordAQA International Advanced Subsidiary is 180.
The guided learning hours (GLH) for an OxfordAQA International Advanced Level is 360.
These figures are for guidance only and may vary according to local practice and the learner’s prior experience of
the subject.
8 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
International A-level
3. Unit 3: Elements of crime and mystery (A-level only)
2.2 International AS
Assessments
Unit 1: Aspects of dramatic tragedy + Unit 2: Place in literary texts
What’s assessed What’s assessed
Students answer two questions, one from each Students answer two questions, one from each
section. section.
Study of two drama texts. Study of one prose text and one poetry text.
How it’s assessed How it’s assessed
50 marks 50 marks
(20% of the International A-level assessment) (20% of the International A-level assessment)
Questions Questions
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 9
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
2.3 International A2
Assessments
Unit 3: Elements of crime and
mystery
+ Unit 4a: Literary
representations
OR Unit 4b: Literary
representations
What’s assessed What’s assessed What’s assessed
Students answer two questions Students answer two questions Non-exam assessment.
on texts of choice. on unseen texts: one prose text
and one poetry text. Study of two texts: one poetry
Study of two texts. text and one prose text.
AS + A2 = A-level
10 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Throughout the specifications set texts have been chosen to illuminate the principles behind the specifications,
while at the same time giving teachers the flexibility to design reading programmes which reflect the interests and
ambitions of their specific cohorts.
Students will write on two plays, one from Section A and one from Section B. At the core of all the set texts is a
tragic hero or heroine who is flawed in some way, who suffers and causes suffering to others. Some tragic aspects
will be more in evidence in some texts than in others and students will need to understand how particular aspects
of the tragic genre are used and how they work in the two chosen texts. The absence of an ‘aspect’ can be as
significant as its presence.
There is no exhaustive list of the ‘aspects’ of tragedy but areas that can usefully be explored include:
• the type of the tragic text itself, whether it is classical and about public figures or domestic and about
representations of ordinary people
• the role of the tragic villain or opponent, if there is one, who directly affects the fortune of the hero, who
engages in a contest of power and is partly responsible for the hero’s demise
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 11
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
There is no exhaustive list of the potential reference to place but ideas that can usefully be explored include:
• specific geographical locations and their potential significances, ranging from houses and villages to whole
countries
12 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 13
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
The elements that might be explored, depending on the individual text, include:
• the nature of the crimes and the criminals, the criminals’ motives and actions
• detectives and detection
• the investigation that leads to the criminals capture or punishment
• how far there is a moral purpose and restoration of order
• guilt and remorse, confession and the desire for forgiveness
• the sense that there will be a resolution and the criminal will be punished
• the victims of crime and the inclusion of suffering
• some central motifs such as love, money, power, danger and death
• punishment, justice, retribution, the legal system
• the structural patterning of the text as it moves through a series of crises to some sense of order
• the way that language is used in the world that is created
• the way that crime writing is used to comment on society, particularly the representation of society at particular
historical periods
• ultimately, how crime stories affect audiences and readers, creating suspense, repugnance, excitement and
relief.
14 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
The first three units of this specification have encouraged students to approach literary texts through an
understanding of genre, finding significance through:
In order to give some framework for the possibilities in this unit, four broad areas are identified. How they apply to
each of the optional routes is described below.
• Representations of childhood.
• Representations of war.
• Representations of women/men.
• Representations of race/class/culture.
The key word here is ‘representations’. Students need to understand how representation works and how
interpretations can arise from the close study of a particular text. It is important to note that, whichever
assessment route is taken, the above areas are not topics which are prescribed for detailed study, and students
are not expected to draw on extensive contextual knowledge of the topic, nor are they expected to refer to wider
reading. They are areas which teachers and students can explore through the analysis of their own selected texts,
and so practise the skills of literary analysis and interpretation.
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 15
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
4a: Examination
This examination paper will require students to answer two separate questions on unseen texts. There will be
one question on prose and one question on poetry. Both questions will be compulsory. The prose can include
literary non-fiction. More than one unseen text may be offered in the question. In each question students will be
directed to make reference to the representation of an aspect of one of the four areas prescribed above. The two
questions will refer to different topic areas. The question will be framed in such a way that students are guided
towards specific elements of the unseen texts, rather than having to do a completely unaided exercise in practical
criticism.
‘Read carefully the following poem by W. H. Auden, first published in 1940, and complete the task below.
Write an analysis of this poem in which you explore the significance of Auden’s representation of social class and
culture.’
More information about this option can be found in the Teaching guidance.
The poetry text must be by a single author. The number of poems which constitute a text should be equivalent to
those seen in Unit 2 and Unit 3. If short stories are used, they must be by a single author. The number of stories
which constitute a text should be equivalent to those seen in Unit 3.
As this is coursework, students must be encouraged to offer individual and independent readings of texts.
Each text chosen for study must be linked to a different topic chosen from the four named above. Students
cannot choose texts from any of the AS/A-level exam set text lists. Texts chosen for study may include texts in
translation. Texts chosen for study must allow access to a range of critical views and interpretations, and must
maximise opportunities for writing with reference to ways in which meanings can be found in literature.
‘Forster has written A Passage to India in such a way that it is impossible to sympathise with any of the English
characters as there is so little to redeem them.’ Exploring Forster’s representation of the English in India, say how
far you agree with this view.
More information about this option can be found in the Teaching guidance.
16 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
5 Scheme of assessment
Find mark schemes, and specimen papers for new courses, on our website at oxfordaqa.com/9675
These qualifications are modular. The full International A-level is intended to be taken over two years. The
specification content for the International AS is half that of an International A-level.
The International AS can be taken as a stand-alone qualification or it can count towards the International A-level.
To complete the International A-level, students can take the International AS in their first year and the International
A2 in their second year or they can take all the units together in the same examination series at the end of the two
year course.
The specification content will be split across units and will include some synoptic assessment. This allows
students to draw together different areas of knowledge from across the full course of study.
Our international AS and A-level exams in English Literature include questions that allow students to demonstrate
their ability to:
• draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
• provide extended responses.
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 17
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
5.2 Aims
Courses based on this specification should encourage students to:
• develop their creative and critical skills in reading and analysing texts
• are encouraged to find meanings in texts
• AO1: Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which readers find meanings in texts, showing an
understanding of genre, the significance of contexts, and the ways in which different interpretations can be
found.
• AO2: Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts with close attention to authorial methods.
• AO3: Express informed, personal and argued responses to literary texts, using appropriate concepts and
terminology, and coherent, accurate writing.
All three AOs are weighted equally in all questions across both International AS and International A-level. This
coherent approach to the study of the subject means that AOs support learning rather than dominate it.
Significance is an important term in this specification, both in the framing of the specification itself, and frequently
in the framing of specific questions. Its use here derives from semiotics and involves understanding the idea of
‘signification’. In the way literary study is configured in this specification, significance involves weighing up all the
potential contributions to how a text can be analysed: through the way the text is constructed and written; through
text specific contexts that can be relevantly applied; and then finding potential meanings and interpretations.
18 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 19
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Two Essays
Each piece of writing should be marked out of 25, using the mark scheme below, to give a total mark out of 50.
20 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 21
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
‘Largely irrelevant’
AO1 • little sense of the AOs in relation At the top of the band students will
to the task; little sense of how mention some unconnected points
work is shown when
meanings are shaped; little sense in relation to the task during the
students write in an
of any relevant contexts, genre or course of their writing. The writing is
unclear way with only
interpretations. likely to lack clarity.
occasional reference to
what is required by the At the bottom of the band there will
question. be no connection with the task; the
‘Largely writing will be hard to follow and
misunderstood’ and irrelevant.
‘largely inaccurate’
work is shown when
knowledge of the text is
insecure, hazy and often
wrong.
0 marks No marks for response when nothing
is written or where response has no
connection to the text(s) or task.
22 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
The NEA for the International A-level specification only is ‘Literary representations’ which consists of one response
to a prose text and one response to a poetry text.
We are committed to working with schools to deliver non-exam assessments of the highest quality and have
developed practices and procedures that support this aim. We will maintain those same high standards through
their use for OxfordAQA Exams. The head of the school or college is responsible for making sure that NEA is
conducted in line with our instructions.
For more information on the administration of the non-exam assessment, please refer to the Non-exam
assessment guidance section of the exam administration page (oxfordaqa.com/exams-administration) on our
website.
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 23
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
7 General administration
We are committed to delivering assessments of the highest quality and have developed practices and procedures
to support this aim. To ensure all students have a fair experience, we have worked with other awarding bodies
in England to develop best practice for maintaining the integrity of exams. This is published through the Joint
Council for Qualifications (JCQ). We will maintain the same high standard through their use for OxfordAQA Exams.
Please note: We aim to respond to all email enquiries within two working days.
Our UK office hours are Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm local time.
Please check the current version of the Entry Codes book and the latest information about making entries on
oxfordaqa.com/exams-administration
Unit 1 – LT01
Unit 2 – LT02
Unit 3 – LT03
Unit 4 – LT04A/LT04B
A unit entry will not trigger certification. You will also need to make an entry for the overall subject award in the
series that certification is required.
24 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
The International A-level qualification will be graded on a six-point scale: A*, A, B, C, D and E.
Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for grade E will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not
receive a qualification certificate.
We will publish the minimum raw mark needed for each grade in each unit when we issue students’ results.
We will report a student’s unit results to schools in terms of uniform marks and unit grades and we will report
qualification results in terms of uniform marks and grades.
The relationship between uniform marks and grades is shown in the table below.
* For the award of grade A*, a student must achieve grade A in the full International A-level qualification and a
minimum of 216 uniform marks in the aggregate of units 3 and 4.
7.4 Re-sits
Unit results remain available to count towards certification, whether or not they have already been used, provided
the specification remains valid. Students can re-sit units as many times as they like, as long as they’re within
the shelf-life of the specification. The best result from each unit will count towards the final qualification grade.
Students who wish to repeat a qualification may do so by re-sitting one or more units.
To be awarded a new subject grade, the appropriate subject award entry, as well as the unit entry/entries, must
be submitted.
Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 25
OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Literature (9675).
For International AS exams May/June 2018 onwards. For International A-level exams May/June 2019 onwards. Version 5.0
The subject criteria have been assessed to ensure they test specific competences. The skills or knowledge
required do not disadvantage particular groups of students.
Exam access arrangements are available for students with disabilities and special educational needs.
We comply with the UK Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments to remove or lessen any disadvantage
that affects a disabled student. Information about access arrangements is issued to schools when they become
OxfordAQA centres.
Private candidates may also enter for examined only units/components via the British Council; please contact
your local British Council office for details.
26 Visit oxfordaqa.com/9675 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration
Fairness first
Thank you for choosing OxfordAQA,
the international exam board that puts
fairness first.
Get in touch
You can contact us at oxfordaqa.com/contact-us
or email [email protected]
Copyright © 2022 Oxford International AQA Examinations and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Oxford International AQA Examinations retains the copyright on all its publications, including specifications.
However, approved OxfordAQA schools are permitted to copy material from this specification for their own
internal use.