Uni Course decisions (pure vs 'specialist' subject)

Hi! I'm a current a level student researching potential courses and I have found several courses which I find particularly interesting! I'm torn between studying pure English lit or a more 'specialised' subject (communications and journalism based) - I've heard English is incredibly difficult and different to A level in terms of teaching, which is why I'm reconsidering. I'm unsure what I want to do after uni but I am considering either publishing, journalism etc. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Reply 1

claireestelle

22

Original post by amberix

Hi! I'm a current a level student researching potential courses and I have found several courses which I find particularly interesting! I'm torn between studying pure English lit or a more 'specialised' subject (communications and journalism based) - I've heard English is incredibly difficult and different to A level in terms of teaching, which is why I'm reconsidering. I'm unsure what I want to do after uni but I am considering either publishing, journalism etc. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

look at the module lists specifically to see what you prefer.

Reply 2

amberix

OP

11

Original post by claireestelle

look at the module lists specifically to see what you prefer.

That's the thing, I would really prefer to do English as I know its more flexible when I leave uni however the specialist course sounds more gratifying to me currently.

Reply 3

claireestelle

22

Original post by amberix

That's the thing, I would really prefer to do English as I know its more flexible when I leave uni however the specialist course sounds more gratifying to me currently.

having a degree in a specific subject doesn't mean you have to get a job in it :smile:

Reply 4

amberix

OP

11

Original post by claireestelle

having a degree in a specific subject doesn't mean you have to get a job in it :smile:

Really? I don't want to start studying something to realise that I don't actually like it! Part of me wants my mum to decide for me haha! :tongue:

Reply 5

claireestelle

22

Original post by amberix

Really? I don't want to start studying something to realise that I don't actually like it! Part of me wants my mum to decide for me haha! :tongue:

you do get a gift year with student finance so worst case scenario you could try it for a year then switch degree.

Reply 6

PhoenixFortune

21

Original post by amberix

That's the thing, I would really prefer to do English as I know its more flexible when I leave uni however the specialist course sounds more gratifying to me currently.

How specific or specialised the course is doesn't necessarily make it more appealing to employers. Someone I know did Maths at uni, and he walked into an accountancy job straight after graduation, while he had friends who did Accounting degrees who were finding it very hard to find any relevant employment.

A lot of employers value experience over qualification titles in many sectors, and I would imagine that Journalism would be one of them.

Original post by amberix

..............

Get a degree in a credible academic subject - that's English. That leaves you with the widest possible range of career options. Then consider a postgraduate course which is more specialist if you want to do journalism, creative writing, media, communications, publishing etc.

English at uni is no harder than history, geography etc

Reply 8

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by amberix

Hi! I'm a current a level student researching potential courses and I have found several courses which I find particularly interesting! I'm torn between studying pure English lit or a more 'specialised' subject (communications and journalism based) - I've heard English is incredibly difficult and different to A level in terms of teaching, which is why I'm reconsidering. I'm unsure what I want to do after uni but I am considering either publishing, journalism etc. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

If you want to do a course that will help you get work in journalism or publishing then only do an accredited journalism or publishing course. Broad communications courses won’t help you any more than an academic English degree.

If you’re not ready to commit to either journalism or publishing then study English and get a LOT of experience alongside your course to build a portfolio of work and help you decide if either pathway is suited to you. Then when you finish your English degree you have a portfolio and experience to get some entry level jobs or to apply for the most competitive accredited masters courses....and if you decide than neither pathway is what you’re interested and you want to do something else like marketing or PR or HR or accounting or travelling the world repairing bikes then your degree won’t harm your chances (and may well help in many of those jobs...maybe not the bike repairs though).

Uni Course decisions (pure vs 'specialist' subject)

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