New set texts for A Level English Language and Literature (H474/04)
13 April 2026
Following a review of our A Level English Language and Literature EMC (H474) qualification, we are updating the set texts for Component 04: Content Independent study: analysing and producing texts. The new set texts are for first teaching in September 2026, with first assessment in June 2028.
This means that final assessment for the current set texts is June 2027.
We’ve listed the new and current set texts for Component 04 below.
New set texts
The following texts are for first teaching in September 2026 and first assessment in June 2028:
- Raymond Antrobus, The Quiet Ear
- Kit de Waal (ed.), Common People
- Richard Flanagan, Question 7
- Anna Funder, Wifedom
- Sabba Khan, The Roles We Play
- Ana Kinsella, Look Here
- Dara McAnulty, Diary of a Young Naturalist
- Georgia Pritchett, My Mess is a Bit of a Life
- Patrick Radden Keefe, Say Nothing
- Jenn Shapland, My Autobiography of Carson McCullers
- Tara Westover, Educated
- Lea Ypi, Free: Coming of Age at the End of History
Current set texts
For the following texts, final assessment is June 2027:
- George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London
- Jenny Diski, Skating to Antarctica
- Alexander Masters, Stuart A Life Backward
- Allie Brosh, Hyperbole and a Half
- Bill Bryson, The Lost Continent
- Anon, I am The Secret Footballer
- Anna Funder, Stasiland
- Jeannette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could be Normal?
- Stephen Grosz, The Examined Life
- Solomon Northrop, Twelve Years a Slave
- Truman Capote, In Cold Blood
- Xinran, What the Chinese Don’t Eat
You can view these set text changes in the updated specification (version 2.0) available on our website and Teach Cambridge.
We’re also updating the teacher guide for this component. You’ll be able to access it from the Assessment > NEA/Coursework > NEA/Coursework guides section on Teach Cambridge, and we’ll share a link as soon as it’s published.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998, or email us at english@ocr.org.uk.
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