[Desertanium]

I have always had a passion for English Lit. and would love to do it at university level. However, being an international student, I will be paying nearly £30,000 per year (not including flights back home) and I've heard that English has extremely low graduate prospects and many graduates work in jobs that have no connection with their degree.

People have told me to add something more 'useful' to my degree just as a precaution. The combined honours of English-Economics at St. Andrew's has really caught my interest as Economics has a highly respected and competitive degree and has one of the highest starting salaries after Medicine, Law etc..

However, I've heard that my degree will be less respected as I will be competing against straight English and Economics grads who have a lot of more in-depth knowledge about the subjects than me. I've also been told that the degree will sound 'strange' as both the subjects are so vastly different. For example a degree in Economics and Maths, Economics and Politics and English and French and English and History looks a lot better than English and Economics.

Is is really worth applying for English-Economic?

[aeterno]

If you're interested in it, go for it! If job prospects really worry you so much then get some relevant experience during your degree to get you ahead of the game. That's far more important than a degree alone! You shouldn't be at a disadvantage, generally speaking, for doing 2 subjects that are different. If anything, it leaves you with more options (i.e. you can apply for specific jobs which require either Economics or English).

Again, experience is key!

[ellen_mcdonnell]

I have the exact same problem, I love economics and english and i have also been looking at St Andrews, but I keep hearing mixed reviews about doing a joint degree, especially because the subjects are so different!

[carnationlilyrose]

Be aware that you'll have to use the same personal statement for all the courses you apply for on your UCAS form so if the St Andrews course is the only joint one you'll be applying for, your ps will sound strangely uncommitted if the rest of your applications are for straight English or straight economics, both of which are extremely competitive. Think very carefully.

[poony]

If you are going for Economics, I would say LSE is a better option apart from Oxbridge. Joint degrees will have less applicants, so look at your grades and think about it. I would say going to the top universities is very important.


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[poony]

English is more useful than you think once you start working. I only need to use my basic arithmetic skill as accountant and the profession requires good English in writing business reports.


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[carnationlilyrose]

(Original post by poony)
English is more useful than you think once you start working. I only need to use my basic arithmetic skill as accountant and the profession requires good English in writing business reports.


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I had no difficulty getting a training contract with an English degree. Admittedly, that was when they were still using abacuses, but the situation's not changed much. (Apart from the fact that I'd rather poke my eyes out with a stick than go back there, but that's just me.)