English at Birkbeck

OP

Yes. Let me explain more about my current situation. The reason I have chosen Birkbeck is that it is the only UOL college that I have a realistic chance of getting into. As I will be 21 in a few weeks, I will be eligible to apply without the usual entry requirements and I will be assessed via a written test and interview.

If I tried applying with my A-level grades (2 C's), I doubt I'd even get into Goldsmiths! I've also already spent 2 years on a foundation degree in Graphic Design at Kingston and I've decided I definitely don't want to do GD! I've always been good at English and have a genuine interest in the subject.

If I got into Birkbeck, I would be able to work at the same time. As I'm interested in a career in journalism/publishing, I could offer to write for Birkbeck and UOL's student publications as a means of getting my name in print. I could also offer to work for a local paper during my studies and help save money for fees.

Given my circumstances, I think this is my best option for a good education. Any comments are welcome.

Reply 3

rottcodd

3

In the School of English and Humanities, Birkbeck got a 5* rating in its RAE assesment (the highest score you can get). Often Birkbeck is left out of league tables because the majority of its courses are part-time, which is part of the reason why some people might have a negative opinion of it. To be honest, you can get a good degree from an institution that is doing research of international importance, whilst getting work experience in journalism and publishing, which is your desired career path. I say, go for it!

Reply 4

OP

I'm well aware Birkbeck is rated 5* for English. I either want to study English or History. Both are good subjects for journalism/publishing and their History department is also rated 5*. I'm also interested in being an archivist. I'm a bit unsure which subject to go for.

Reply 5

akmd

I either want to study English or History. Both are good subjects for journalism/publishing

one step at a time. and even then, make sure you're taking the right steps. yes, english is a useful degree if you want to go into journalism or publishing, but it's not the only route. i know it sounds harsh to say this, but always having been good at it and having a 'genuine interest' aren't always strong enough for studying something at degree level, albeit a part time course. what sort of interests have you got in it? any particular writers/periods?

if it is journalism/publishing which you really want to do as an actual job, maybe it's time to do a course which is more vocational than academic, such as one in journalism itself.

Reply 6

OP

silence

one step at a time. and even then, make sure you're taking the right steps. yes, english is a useful degree if you want to go into journalism or publishing, but it's not the only route. i know it sounds harsh to say this, but always having been good at it and having a 'genuine interest' aren't always strong enough for studying something at degree level, albeit a part time course. what sort of interests have you got in it? any particular writers/periods?

if it is journalism/publishing which you really want to do as an actual job, maybe it's time to do a course which is more vocational than academic, such as one in journalism itself.

Having thought more about it, I'm leaning towards History. I've always been fascinated about the past. I have a keen interest in British, European and U.S. History over the past 300 years. Events such as the World Wars and the British Empire are also high on my interest list. I've always been very interested in film, television and music history. A more narrow focus but still history all the same. I'm also able to remember much of the historical information I've read over the years and can quote any given event without hesitation. I could definitely see myself in archiving or something like that.

Reply 7

although i don't know about history as such, i think, ironically, you need to do a standard undergraduate degree and a load of postgraduate study before you really get into archiving.

there are degrees or courses which specialise in archiving specifically...

history and archiving are fairly different - the former actually looks at events of the past and tries to argue why they happened, consider the validity of sources, shed light on certain periods and situations. the latter, archiving, is more about the actual documents themselves rather than what they say or mean.

also, what do you mean by 'quote any given event'?

Reply 8

OP

silence

although i don't know about history as such, i think, ironically, you need to do a standard undergraduate degree and a load of postgraduate study before you really get into archiving.

there are degrees or courses which specialise in archiving specifically...

history and archiving are fairly different - the former actually looks at events of the past and tries to argue why they happened, consider the validity of sources, shed light on certain periods and situations. the latter, archiving, is more about the actual documents themselves rather than what they say or mean.

also, what do you mean by 'quote any given event'?

I have a remarkable ability for remembering exact dates. Not just in history but in my personal life too. I can even figure out the day it happened without having to look online for a calendar for 1948!

Reply 9

that's just mild autism. if you want to take an academic course in the subject, you need to have more enthsiasm, talent and ability than that.

Reply 10

OP

silence

that's just mild autism. if you want to take an academic course in the subject, you need to have more enthsiasm, talent and ability than that.

But I do! Look, I have the opportunity for a second chance in higher education. After spending 2 years on a foundation degree in Graphic Design, I definitely don't want to do it as I don't think I'm good enough. I have the enthusiasm, talent and ability you speak of. Academic writing is one of my main strengths. Although as you said earlier, I need to make sure this is the right way forward.

By the way, may I ask why did you choose to study English? Do you have a career plan in mind?

Reply 11

i'm doing law as a career but saw my undergraduate time as the last opportunity to really get my teeth into something which had no relevance on the real world whatsoever, socio-economically speaking. and i chose to study english because i'm interested in the way language a a system which people manipulate differently - half due to their inevitable position within time and culture and half due to their unique individual genius. in a nutshell.

Reply 12

OP