Is English literature a respected degree?

Whenever I tell people I would like to do English at uni they ask me if I want to be a teacher? I really don't want to be a teacher and am worried that having an English degree will only lead me to this career path. I would like to go into publishing, journalism or editing, would English be the best degree for this?

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Reply 1

PAStudent1996

Original post by ambermariemorgan

Why don't you do a Journalism degree?

My friend is in his second year and he's currently on an exchange over in the USA at The University of Missouri. He's been writing articles for local paper's, working as an assistant producer on news shows, writing for magazines and all sorts.

Reply 2

The Empire Odyssey

Original post by ambermariemorgan

Nowadays degrees teaches you more transferable skills.

English at uni teaches you how to read, analyse, synthesise vasts amount of information and also how to academically write about English. Journalism on the other hand is more of a practical/vocational degree - in terms of if you studied Publishing/Journalism that will teach you all the principles about that profession i.e what makes a good journalist, the publishing industry, etc. It teaches you how to write about that specific thing, rather a general understanding of the literary principle of English Literature. English is more broader essentially.

Since it's a broad area, it teaches you more transferable skills that employers want. Then you'd get experience in the publishing industry then apply for publishing posts. That's the way most employers would want. It's recommend you study English then get experience.

Reply 3

MrsSheldonCooper

I want to do English too and whenever someone says it's not respectable, I say it's way more respectable than golf management or Harry Potter degrees.

Reply 4

The Wavefunction

Original post by MrsSheldonCooper

I want to do English too and whenever someone says it's not respectable, I say it's way more respectable than golf management or Harry Potter degrees.

If you're comparing the degree with Golf management, and Harry Potter studies, then something tells me you aren't exactly on to a winner..

Reply 5

MrsSheldonCooper

Original post by The Wavefunction

If you're comparing the degree with Golf management, and Harry Potter studies, then something tells me you aren't exactly on to a winner..

Makes English look like the top though :u:

Reply 6

The Wavefunction

Original post by MrsSheldonCooper

Makes English look like the top though :u:

Whatever tickle's your pickle

Reply 7

MrsSheldonCooper

Original post by The Wavefunction

Whatever tickle's your pickle

*tickles

Reply 8

Josb

Original post by ambermariemorgan

Depends on the uni.

Reply 9

The Wavefunction

Original post by MrsSheldonCooper

*tickles

I think you'll nail that English degree

Reply 10

MrsSheldonCooper

Original post by The Wavefunction

I think you'll nail that English degree

Me too tbh :u:

Reply 11

Attempt

Original post by The Wavefunction

If you're comparing the degree with Golf management, and Harry Potter studies, then something tells me you aren't exactly on to a winner..

There are Harry potter degrees?

Reply 12

The Wavefunction

Original post by MrsSheldonCooper

Me too tbh :u:

Good luck fam

Reply 13

The Wavefunction

Original post by Attempt

There are Harry potter degrees?

Apparently so

Reply 14

Attempt

Original post by The Wavefunction

Apparently so

What's next?

Anal studies?

Reply 15

The Wavefunction

Original post by Attempt

What's next?

Anal studies?

I think there's an e-book on that

Reply 16

sabana

I would have thought English is a respectable degree as it's a core subject in school

Reply 17

abbymonty

You will get that a lot! Four years of studying English and I still get it lol! It's important to ignore what other people's opinions are on subjects and just do what you enjoy. When you get to uni, you'll be surrounded by other English students and you can all swap stories on the comments people have made to you and talk about all the great things about your subject lol

http://www.whystudyenglish.ac.uk/index.htm

http://www.whystudyenglish.ac.uk/you-can/knowledge.htm

Some things to browse through and read to help you think about the skills you will get from studying English! From what I was advised when picking degrees - English is the best option for the field that interests you. You will have a broader learning than say a journalism degree (as was previously suggested) but I would say stick to English and keep your options opens. More universities offer English, you can be at a highly respected university studying English and this can make a difference for postgraduate/employment opportunities.

Also I would suggest maybe looking into English Language as well. I'm studying both at uni at the moment and the modules available at my university specifically include work on journalism and editing. I have a preference for Language because it is this type of thing that interests me too and I feel the work is more catered towards that!

Another good way of picking up skills for this type of work is getting involved in societies such as creative writing (self-editing skills!) or the newspaper :smile:

Reply 18

Platopus

Original post by MrsSheldonCooper

I want to do English too and whenever someone says it's not respectable, I say it's way more respectable than golf management or Harry Potter degrees.