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AQA · GCSE

AQA GCSE English Literature

English Literature for AQA GCSE (syllabus 8702) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
8702
Board
AQA
Qualification
GCSE

At a glance

Qualification
AQA GCSE English Literature
Spec code
8702
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official AQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)

AQA GCSE English Literature encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking through the study of a range of high-quality, intellectually challenging texts. — AQA, official syllabus page

For first teaching 2015. Assessed across two papers: Paper 1 ‘Shakespeare and the 19th-century Novel’ and Paper 2 ‘Modern Texts and Poetry’ (including an unseen poetry section). All assessments are closed book. Fully co-teachable with AQA GCSE English Language (8700).

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for AQA English Literature 8702
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
8702/1: Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel 1h 45m 64 40% Written exam
8702/2: Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry 2h 15m 96 60% Written exam

Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page: linear, not tiered, closed-book (any stimulus materials are provided in the assessment), two written papers of UNEQUAL weighting -- unlike the sciences/humanities pairs above. Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel): 1h45, 64 marks, 40% of GCSE -- Section A one Shakespeare play question, Section B one 19th-century novel question, both requiring detailed extract analysis plus whole-text discussion. Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry): 2h15, 96 marks, 60% of GCSE -- Section A one modern prose/drama essay from a choice of two, Section B one comparative poetry-anthology question, Section C one unseen-poetry comparison. All assessments compulsory. First teaching September 2015, first examination June 2017.

Assessment FAQs

How is AQA English Literature (8702) assessed?

AQA English Literature (8702) is assessed through: 8702/1 (Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel) — 1h 45m, 64 marks, 40% of the qualification; 8702/2 (Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry) — 2h 15m, 96 marks, 60% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

English Literature teaching and study resources, organised by level, board and topic.

All English Literature at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 2 topics below are the official subject content of AQA GCSE English Literature (8702), for the For first teaching 2015 examination series, reproduced from the AQA syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 2 topics.

  1. 1 Paper 1 – Shakespeare and the 19th-century Novel

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Shakespeare · Section B: The 19th-century Novel

  2. 2 Paper 2 – Modern Texts and Poetry

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Modern Texts · Section B: Poetry · Section C: Unseen Poetry

Source: AQA — official specification pages at aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8702/specification — For first teaching 2015 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

English Literature at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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