This update was first published on 25 March 2024. On 1 October 2024, we reminded you we’re updating three Shakespeare set texts for first teach September 2025. We've now published teacher guides on Teach Cambridge to support you with teaching these set texts – please see below for further details.

For AS and A Level English Literature (H072/H472), we can confirm we're updating three Shakespeare set texts for Component 01: Drama and pre-1900 poetry. We first informed centres about these set texts proposals in September 2023.

The changes will take place for first teach September 2025, with first assessment for AS Level in June 2026 and A Level in June 2027.

We're planning on final AS Level assessment in June 2025 and final A Level assessment in June 2026 for the following set texts:

• Coriolanus 
• Twelfth Night 
• Measure for Measure

At this point, we'll remove these texts from our approved list of teaching material.

For first teaching in September 2025, we will replace the set texts above with the following Shakespeare plays:

• Othello
• The Taming of the Shrew
• King Lear

New teaching guides now available

To support teachers with teaching the new set texts, we have published the following resources:

• Concise text guide: Othello
• Concise text guide: The Taming of the Shrew
• Concise text guide: King Lear

These guides, for first teach September 2025, are intended as a starting point for engaging with the Shakespeare plays.

You can view and download the concise text guides from the Teaching > Teaching delivery > Teaching and delivery guides > Shakespeare section on Teach Cambridge.

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. 

Qualification

• English Literature - H072, H472 (from 2015)