English GCSE Clarification

[WarmWishes]

If a pupil achieves a 5 in English lit GCSE but a 3 in the language have they passed English? Would a university see the applicant as having passed English or not? In the past English lit and Lang was one gcse now it has been separated into 2 components, I don't know if one outweighs the other or if you simply have to pass both to be classed as having passed the gcse.

Also, is it unusual to get a lower mark in language than in lit or is it quite normal?

They are 2 separate qualifications. (I’m an English teacher)
Usually pupils do better in Lang than lit but not always. For uni Lang is more important.

Thanks for the reply. He's done lit and thankfully passed but not Lang. He'll do that next year. I had thought the lit would be more important, I think I thought that because there seems to be more to learn for lit than Lang (though I might be incorrect), but in honesty I'm not sure what Lang involves, apart from using my common sense. He's only just started Lang.

Actually pupils are now doing better in Lit than Lang and there is not necessarily a requirement to resit Eng Lang if you have a 4 in Eng Lit any more. If you Google you will find the Government line. Also an English teacher.