BA English versus History of Art

Do BA English, you won’t find a “creative” job so just try and be realistic

9.6% of workers in the UK are working in creative roles. It’s one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Creative jobs aren’t always the most well paid and can involve freelancing/self employment but there’s more to life than dying with the most money.
https://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/facts-and-figures/employment-figures

That’s a very misleading spin on the article. Look at the table of “creative industries” and 36% of all creative industries is work connected to IT, software and computer services. So more than a THIRD of all people who work in so called “creative industries” are actually IT and software specialists. So the REAL percentage of people working in “creative industries” i.e. people who would hold some sort of an arts/illustrations degree is ~6.4% (probably even less if you factor out other industries which have no connection to illustrations)

Neither of those courses are creative. Both involve large amounts of critical analysis.

The best degree for you will not be the same as the best degree for someone else. You mention applying in clearing in another post. Please don’t rush into a degree if you’re this unsure about what to study.

There are other options (ideally an Art & Design Foundation Diploma at a local college or university that would give you time to try out studying creative subjects full time while improving your portfolio - there is a FAQ at the top of the art and design forum)

Do BA English, you won’t find a “creative” job so just try and be realistic

Neither of those courses are creative. Both involve large amounts of critical analysis.

The best degree for you will not be the same as the best degree for someone else. You mention applying in clearing in another post. Please don’t rush into a degree if you’re this unsure about what to study.

There are other options (ideally an Art & Design Foundation Diploma at a local college or university that would give you time to try out studying creative subjects full time while improving your portfolio - there is a FAQ at the top of the art and design forum)

That’s a very misleading spin on the article. Look at the table of “creative industries” and 36% of all creative industries is work connected to IT, software and computer services. So more than a THIRD of all people who work in so called “creative industries” are actually IT and software specialists. So the REAL percentage of people working in “creative industries” i.e. people who would hold some sort of an arts/illustrations degree is ~6.4% (probably even less if you factor out other industries which have no connection to illustrations)

Personally, I'd say take English and try and do some work experience, and internship or something in a creative industry that interests you. Often, you just need a degree to get through the door of these places, and the experience is actually what matters. something like being a runner on a film set, or a volunteer at a theatre company. these will get you the contacts you need. I'd say English because it offers a more stable back-up plan than History of Art in case none of these work out.

Which is a better degree ? Please discuss below. I’d like to hear your experiences studying either subject or even both.

In terms of careers, I’m not sure what I want to do as yet but am definitely heading towards a creative path.
Which degree is better in terms of general employability?

Have you thought about doing a joint honours? I'm going to start studying English and History of Art as a joint honours degree this September! I'll tell you how it is once I start the course if you're interested!

Yes I did consider joint honours at one point but prefer to focus on one subject. Where have you applied to? I’m starting this September too ! Just trying to decide whether or not I should go into clearing and change from English to history of art on results day.

I'm going to Birmingham!