When it comes to your GCSEs, you’ll need to get at least a grade 4 in English. Otherwise, the government will make you retake the subject (or get an equivalent qualification).
But we know what you’re thinking. What happens if you fail your English Literature GCSE, but pass Language?
Here’s the lowdown with all the 2025 statistics and current requirements.
Understanding English GCSEs in 2025
Does English Literature and Language count as one GCSE?
First things first, you might be wondering whether English Literature and Language count as one GCSE.
The answer is no.
These have been split into two distinct GCSEs.
Once upon a time, students were able to take one English GCSE that included aspects of both English Literature and Language.
But for a while now, these have been split into two distinct GCSEs.
In other words, you’ll sit:
- One GCSE in English Literature
- Another separate GCSE in English Language
This means you might do really well in one and not so well in the other. Which brings us onto…
How did students perform in 2025?
According to Tes and FFT Education Datalab, here are the Summer 2025 statistics:
English Language (all students, England):
English Language (16-year-olds only):
- 70.6% achieved grade 4 or above
- Down slightly from 71.2% in 2024
- 54.2% achieved grade 5 or above (strong pass)
English Literature (all students, England):
Key observation
English Literature has a significantly higher pass rate (74.0%) than English Language (59.7%) – a difference of 14.3 percentage points.
What happens if you fail your English Literature GCSE, but pass Language?
If you fail your English Literature GCSE but pass Language, you won’t have to do anything at all.
Why?
You don’t actually have to pass both English GCSEs. Rather, you just have to get at least a grade 4 in one of them.
According to Government policy, the mandatory resit requirement only applies if you haven’t achieved grade 4 in either English Language or English Literature.
In other words:
- Pass Language + Fail Literature = No resit required
- Pass Literature + Fail Language = No resit required
- Fail both = Must resit English Language
Should you still care about your Literature grade?
That said, even though you don’t have to retake your English Literature GCSE, you might still want a better grade.
Reasons to consider improving your Literature grade:
- Lots of schools and colleges have entry requirements for sixth form
- Many A Level English courses require grade 6+ in Literature
- Getting good grades in your GCSEs can open up doors later down the line
- Some university courses prefer to see both English GCSEs
- It looks better on your CV/UCAS form
Here are your options if you fail your GCSE in English Literature but pass Language.
Your options after failing Literature
Your first option is to do nothing at all.
After all, if you’ve passed your English Language GCSE, the government doesn’t require you to pass English Literature.
This makes sense if:
- You’ve got the grades you need for your next step (sixth form, college, apprenticeship)
- You don’t enjoy Literature as a subject
- You’re not planning on doing anything English-related in the future
- Your target sixth form/college doesn’t require Literature
- You’re not aiming for competitive university courses that prefer both
However, be aware:
- Some sixth forms require specific grades in Literature for A Level English
- Competitive courses may look more favorably on students with both English GCSEs
- It may limit your options if you change your mind about studying English later
If you were close to getting a grade 4, it might be worth checking if you can appeal your result. This is where you ask the exam board to check for any marking mistakes.
Getting your paper remarked could make all the difference, especially if you were only a couple of marks off a grade 4.
How much does a remark cost in 2025-2026?
According to The Student Room and PMT Education, the 2025 remark costs are:
- AQA: £43.50 per paper
- Edexcel: £50 per paper
- OCR: £65.25 per paper
- WJEC: £43 per paper
Priority review (faster, limited availability):
- Edexcel: £60 per GCSE paper
Important: If your overall grade changes, most boards refund all papers in that subject.
When to consider a remark
Consider appealing if:
- You were very close to the next grade boundary (within 2-3 marks)
- Your result doesn’t match your mock performance
- Your teacher is surprised by your grade
- You need the specific grade for sixth form entry
- You can afford the fee (£43-£65 per paper)
Don’t bother if:
- You’re far from the boundary (5+ marks away)
- Your result matches your expected performance
- You don’t need the higher grade
- You can’t afford to lose the fee if grade doesn’t change
Important warnings
Just bear in mind:
- Your mark could go down as well as up
- Remarks cost money (though school may pay if they agree)
- You must act quickly – strict deadlines apply
Deadlines for Summer 2025 exams
According to PMT Education:
- Standard review deadline: 25 September 2025
- Priority review deadline (Edexcel): 28 August 2025
If you want to go down this route, get the ball rolling as soon as possible, as every exam board has a time limit for appeals.
English remark statistics
According to data compiled on UK Climbing Forums from Ofqual statistics:
English Language remarking data (2019-2023):
- English Language is one of the most remarked subjects
- For AQA English Language Paper 1: 16.2% of remarks resulted in a mark change
- For OCR English Language Paper 2: 34.3% required a mark change (highest rate)
- Average mark change for English Language: +0.8 marks
Overall GCSE remark statistics (2023):
- 78.1% of grades remained unchanged
- 21.7% of grades increased (21.4% by 1 grade, 0.3% by 2 grades)
- Most common mark change: up or down by 1 mark
What this means: English papers are frequently remarked, and there’s a reasonable chance of getting marks back – but usually only 1-2 marks, so you need to be close to the boundary.
Finally, you could choose to retake your English Literature GCSE.
Even though you don’t have to retake it, doing so could help you to go up a grade or two – which could open up doors for you in your future studies and career.
When can you retake?
English Literature resits are only available once a year in the summer exam series (May/June).
According to RS Remote Tutoring:
- English Literature is NOT available in November resits
- You must wait until summer 2026 (May/June) to retake
- Results released in August 2026
This is different from English Language and Maths, which have November resit opportunities.
How much does it cost to resit?
If you’re under 19 and at the same school/college:
- FREE if resitting within one year of first attempt
- FREE if studying full-time
If you’re a private candidate or at a different centre:
According to RS Remote Tutoring, typical private exam costs:
- Base exam entry: £130-£250 per subject
- Late entry surcharge: +£60-£180 depending on how late
- Admin fee at some centres: £50-£100 additional
- AQA subjects example: £215-£305 (including late fees)
Total cost to privately resit English Literature: £130-£400+ depending on timing and centre.
Should you retake?
Consider retaking if:
- You need a specific grade for A Level English Literature
- Your sixth form requires grade 6+ in Literature
- You want to keep university options open
- You’re applying for competitive courses
- You failed by only 1-2 grades and think you can improve
- You have time to prepare properly before summer 2026
Don’t retake if:
- You already passed English Language
- Your next steps don’t require Literature specifically
- You found the subject very difficult and unlikely to improve
- You don’t want to wait until summer 2026
- You can’t commit to proper preparation
How to prepare for a resit
If you choose to go down this route, it’s important to prepare thoroughly to give yourself the best possible chance of getting the grade you’re after this time around.
- Get your exam papers to see exactly where you went wrong
- Identify weak areas – essay structure, quotation analysis, context, etc.
- Read/re-read set texts thoroughly
- Practice past papers under timed conditions
- Work on exam technique – many students lose marks on technique, not knowledge
- Create revision materials – character maps, theme notes, context timelines
- Get feedback on practice essays from teachers or experienced help
What happens if you fail your English Language GCSE but pass Literature?
If you fail your English Language GCSE but pass Literature, you won’t have to retake your English Language GCSE (unless you want to, of course!).
Remember, you only have to get a grade 4 or above in at least one of your English GCSEs.
So, as long as you’ve passed one, you don’t have to pass the other.
Why English Language matters more
That said, English Language is a valuable GCSE to have.
According to Tes data, 40.3% of students (all ages) did not achieve grade 4+ in English Language in 2025.
Many colleges, sixth forms, universities and even employers will expect you to have passed it. So, failing could close quite a few doors for you in the future – even if you’ve passed English Literature.
Why Language is more widely required:
- More practical – demonstrates everyday English skills
- More universally valued by employers
- Required for most apprenticeships
- Essential for teacher training and nursing
- Needed for most university courses (even non-English subjects)
- Better reflects “functional English” needed in work
When you MUST resit English Language
According to Government policy:
If you fail BOTH English Language and English Literature, you don’t get to choose which to retake.
You MUST retake English Language (although you can also retake Literature if you want to).
Resit requirements:
- Grade 3 in both = Must retake Language
- Grade 2 or below in both = Can choose Language GCSE OR Functional Skills Level 2
Consider retaking anyway
With that in mind, it might be worth retaking your English Language GCSE even though you don’t have to.
English Language resits are available:
- November 2025 (4-10 November)
- Summer 2026 (May/June)
This gives you two chances per year, unlike Literature which is summer-only.
“My advice regarding English resits is to book them as soon as possible and seek appropriate support to fill the gaps where necessary.
A lot of the English or maths you have learned will still be fresh in your mind so the sooner they are resat – the better!”
English Language resit pass rates
According to FE Week, the reality of English Language resits:
For post-16 students (aged 17+) in Summer 2025:
- Pass rate 10 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic (30.3% in 2019)
The November 2024 resits showed improvement:
- 37.5% passed (up from 34.9% in November 2023)
- This reversed the sharp drop and surpassed 2019’s 32.3%
- Shows November may be a better opportunity than summer
What this tells us:
- English Language resits are extremely challenging
- Proper preparation and support are essential
- Many students need multiple attempts
- Functional Skills might be a better option for some (if eligible)
What if you fail both English Literature and Language?
The government requires you to get at least a grade 4 in an English GCSE.
So, if you fail both your English Literature and Language, you’ll have to retake (or appeal your result to see if you can go up a grade that way).
Which one must you retake?
But here’s the thing. You don’t get to choose which you retake – even though you technically only have to pass one of them.
You’ll have to retake your English Language GCSE
(although if you want to retake both, that’s fine too of course!)
Why Language is mandatory
The government specifically requires English Language because:
- It’s seen as more essential for everyday life
- It demonstrates practical communication skills
- It’s needed for functional literacy in work
- It’s more applicable across all careers
Resit schedule
English Language retakes take place twice a year:
1. Autumn/November series
- Usually 4-10 November
- Results in January
- Best for quick retake
2. Summer series
- May/June
- Results in August
- Same time as regular exams
What if you keep failing?
Hopefully, your first retake goes swimmingly and you pass your English Language GCSE. But if not, you’ll need to carry on studying and retaking English Language until you get at least a grade 4 – or until you’re 18.
Is there another way?
We know what you’re thinking: is there any other way out?
Well, some students may be eligible to take a Functional Skills qualification in English instead – for instance, if:
- You’re not studying full-time next year
- You got a grade 2 or below
This is an online qualification that exam boards can offer on demand.
Functional Skills Level 2:
- Equivalent to GCSE grade 4
- Accepted by many (but not all) employers and colleges
- More practical focus than GCSE
- Available year-round (not just twice a year)
- Faster results (often within weeks)
- May be easier for students who struggle with traditional exams
According to Government policy:
- Grade 3 students: Must take GCSE (can’t choose Functional Skills)
- Grade 2 or below students: Can choose GCSE OR Functional Skills Level 2
Either way, it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared, so that you don’t get stuck in an endless cycle of retakes.
University and career implications
Can you go to uni if you fail English GCSE?
Most universities will specify the minimum grades they expect in GCSE English.
So, failing English GCSE can certainly make it challenging to get into uni.
Typical university requirements:
- Most courses: Grade 4 in English Language (minimum)
- Some courses: May accept either Language or Literature
- Competitive courses: Often require grade 5+ in Language
- English degrees: Usually require grade 6+ in both Language and Literature
- Teaching/Nursing: Specifically require Language (not just Literature)
That said, it is still possible to get into university without the required GCSEs.
Alternative routes:
- Doesn’t expect any specific qualifications for admission
- Can take Access modules to build up to degree level
- Flexible study around work/life
- Many universities offer these
- Provide an opportunity to gain the qualifications you need
- Lead directly into degree programs
- 4 years total instead of 3 (1 year foundation + 3 year degree)
- 1-year course specifically for adults
- Includes English components
- Widely accepted for university entry
- Designed for people without traditional qualifications
- Some universities accept this instead of GCSE
- Fewer accept it than GCSE
- Always check individual course requirements
- Many universities have alternative entry for students aged 21+
- May consider work experience and other qualifications
- Each university has different policies
Read about the GCSE requirements for getting into university to learn more.
Which careers specifically require English Language?
English Language (not Literature) is specifically required for:
- Teacher training (all subjects)
- Nursing and healthcare courses
- Most apprenticeships
- Civil service positions
- Police and armed forces
- Legal careers
- Business administration
- Customer-facing roles
English Literature may be preferred for:
- English degrees
- Journalism
- Publishing
- Creative writing courses
- Media studies
- Some humanities degrees
FAQs
No, the government doesn’t require you to pass GCSE English Literature.
Instead, you’ll just need a grade 4 or above in at least one of your English GCSEs – English Literature or English Language.
However:
- Some sixth forms require Literature for A Level English
- Many employers prefer to see both
- Competitive university courses may expect both
- It looks better on applications to have both
Not necessarily, as it all depends on what you’re hoping to study.
That said, English Language is more widely required than Literature:
English Language is required for:
- Most university courses (even non-English subjects)
- Teacher training and nursing
- Most apprenticeships
- Most employers as a basic requirement
- Demonstrates functional English skills
English Literature is more specifically required for:
- A Level English Literature courses
- English degrees and humanities courses
- Publishing and creative writing careers
- Shows analytical and critical thinking skills
In general: More colleges, universities and employers will typically want to see a GCSE in English Language, so you could see it as more valuable and widely applicable.
Yes, you can resit your English Literature GCSE.
In fact, you can typically resit any GCSE you want to!
However, important notes:
- English Literature is ONLY available in summer (May/June)
- NOT available in November resits (unlike Language and Maths)
- This means you’ll wait a full year before you can retake
- Next opportunity for Summer 2025 results: Summer 2026
Read our dedicated guide to GCSE resits to learn more.
That depends.
If you fail English Language but pass English Literature:
- You won’t need to retake
- This is because you only need to pass one of the two
- However, it may be worth retaking anyway as Language is more widely required
If you fail both:
- You won’t get a choice of which to retake
- You’ll have to retake English Language (not Literature)
- This is mandatory under Government policy for students under 18 in full-time education
Grade-specific requirements:
- Grade 3: Must retake GCSE Language
- Grade 2 or below: Can choose GCSE Language OR Functional Skills Level 2
English Literature can be challenging, but the GCSE is designed so that pupils with the right knowledge and skills can pass it.
2025 statistics show:
- 74.0% of entries achieved grade 4+ (pass rate)
- This is significantly higher than English Language (59.7%)
- 20.2% achieved grades 7+ (top grades)
- 26% failed (grade 3 or below)
Why some find it difficult:
- Requires extensive reading of set texts
- Needs analytical and critical thinking skills
- Essay writing under time pressure
- Memorizing quotations
- Understanding historical and social context
- Interpreting themes and symbolism
Why the pass rate is higher than Language:
- Students often find creative/analytical work easier than functional skills
- More opportunity to prepare (you know the texts in advance)
- Less emphasis on spontaneous response
- Can prepare quotations and analysis in advance
Head over to our blog on how to pass your English Literature GCSE for more tips and guidance.
That depends on your strengths and skill set. What’s easy for one student won’t be easy for another, and vice versa.
According to RISE Magazine’s analysis of 2025 data:
Subjects with highest proportion of top grades (7-9):
- Chemistry (46.1%)
- Physics (45.1%)
- Biology (44.4%)
- Religious Studies (31.0%)
- Computing (29.5%)
Subjects with lowest proportion of top grades:
- Science – Double Award
- Business Studies
- English Language
- English Literature
- Mathematics
This shows English Literature is among the subjects where top grades are hardest to achieve, alongside English Language and Maths.
However, pass rates tell a different story:
- English Literature pass rate: 74.0% (relatively high)
- English Language pass rate: 59.7% (lower)
What this means: Literature is easier to pass but harder to excel in. Getting a basic pass is achievable for most students, but getting grades 7-9 is challenging.
For students who find reading and critical analysis challenging, English Literature is likely to be one of the harder GCSEs.
According to Tes data for Summer 2025:
English Literature:
- 26.0% failed to achieve grade 4 (all students)
- 74.0% passed (achieved grade 4 or above)
For comparison, English Language:
- 40.3% failed to achieve grade 4 (all students)
- 59.7% passed
What this means:
- English Literature has a notably higher pass rate
- About 1 in 4 students fail English Literature
- English Language is considerably harder to pass (2 in 5 fail)
If you’re under 19 at the same school/college:
- FREE if resitting within one year
- FREE if in full-time education
If you’re a private candidate:
According to RS Remote Tutoring:
- Base exam entry: £130-£250 per subject
- Late fees: +£60-£180 additional
- Admin fees: £50-£100 at some centres
- Total: £130-£400+ depending on centre and timing
Private candidates must:
- Find a centre that accepts external candidates
- Register well before deadlines
- Pay all fees upfront
- Arrange own transport to exam centre
Statistics in this guide are from 2025 GCSE results data. Sources include Tes, Tes subject breakdown, FFT Education Datalab, FE Week, Gov.uk, The Student Room, PMT Education, RS Remote Tutoring, and RISE Magazine.
