The study of English literature offers you the opportunity to engage with stories that inform, entertain, shock and excite, stories told not just through words but also through sound and image. Studying English literature allows you to broaden your understanding of history, culture and identities in ways that are personally and socially enriching as well as intellectually stimulating. Understanding stories and how they work is a part of understanding the world we live in. While not a vocational course, an A-level in English literature is widely recognised as an invaluable qualification both for its own sake and for the skills of literacy and understanding which can help in every aspect of study. N.B. This is an English literature course (i.e. the study of books) not an English language course (which is largely about grammar), though good English language skills are essential for effective essay writing.