Is English a good degree?

I'm thinking of choosing to study English at uni but there don't seem to be many opportunities linked to it after graduating and I'm kind of worried. I've heard that a lot of english graduates go into teaching and while I'm not completely opposed to that it's not something I especially want to do. Are there any other options related to English or would I be better off taking a different degree? My skill is in essay based subjects so other options I've been considering are Sociology and Law, but English is a subject I've been good at since I was in primary school which is why I'm considering it.

Reply 1

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Hi,
Do you enjoy studying English? I would recommend that you are interested and enjoy that subject area for your degree, instead of just focusing on what your good at. As you will find your time at university a lot more enjoyable and easier, if you have genuine interest in your degree. Of course being good at the subject area, definitely helps but i also think when you generally enjoy a subject, you will be even more successful as you also be getting enjoyment out it.

In regards to career prospects, while a lot of students with a English degree do go into teaching, equally a lot of graduates do go on to do various jobs. This is a link to the Complete University Guide website, which shows different types of careers you can go to do with a English degree Careers with an English degree (thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk).

Have you got a idea of what type of job you would like in the future? If not i would recommend you speak to the careers team at your school/college, as they will help support you with figuring out what sort of degree may be the most beneficial for a potential career . This is also a very good website that helps when figuring out what type of career is best suited to you Explore careers | National Careers Service

Good luck
Suzan - Student Ambassador

Reply 2

JDINCINERATOR

I think if you love English and are good at it then go for it. If you like reading and writing then English will be for you. Be mindful that you'll be given extensive reading lists, so be sure to keep up-together with every single book you are required to read, otherwise you'll likely fall behind. Are you thinking of doing a particular kind of English like English Literature or English Language, or are you thinking of doing a joint-honours degree? There are many avenues someone with an English degree can pursue, it depends what you want to do and whether it lines up well with the subject.

I graduated with a top degree in Film and English and now I write for a smattering of websites on a freelance basis.

Reply 3

p.1.2

Harsh but true - A Humanity degree wont get you a job as easy as a STEM degree would

Reply 4

TheWord

A few years ago now but I did English at university. I loved the subject then and still do. I think it's a mistake to judge it by narrow jobs prospects. Yes, a few English graduates will become teachers. Some actors. Advertising. Film industry. Journalism. Almost anything. I myself work as a writer for television and have had a rich and exciting career - and got paid a few quid along the line, too! My advice would be if you love it, do it, and let the career take care of itself.

Reply 5

Stiffy Byng

Original post by p.1.2

Harsh but true - A Humanity degree wont get you a job as easy as a STEM degree would

This is a myth.

Reply 6

p.1.2

Original post by Stiffy Byng

This is a myth.

Lol. Search up the degrees of top businessmen - most of them will have STEM degrees. But who cares, do as you please.

Spoiler

Reply 7

Stiffy Byng

Original post by p.1.2

Lol. Search up the degrees of top businessmen - most of them will have STEM degrees. But who cares, do as you please.

Spoiler

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14740222231156893

https://standout-cv.com/uk-graduate-statistics#degree-unemployment

https://standout-cv.com/uk-graduate-statistics

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 8

p.1.2

Graduate outcomes, by degree subject and university - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
... Not an article but real data from the government site 😀

Reply 9

Stiffy Byng

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jinchow/2023/10/26/myth-or-fact-stem-majors-are-inherently-more-valuable-than-humanities-majors/

Reply 10

DRIPDRIP9463

Reply 11

Landseer

Original post by p.1.2

Harsh but true - A Humanity degree wont get you a job as easy as a STEM degree would

I would suggest STEM related roles are at a high risk from AI.

English language and literature graduates develop some very important skills. You should not underestimate the importance of communication skills for the vast majority of roles. As a graduate recruiter for a number of years in life and pensions and the public sector, I have received applications from a wide variety of graduates. It is often easy to pick out those who studied a STEM subject as the communications of many are sub-standard. Less so nowadays in relation to written communications, most probably due to AI but it becomes clear in interviews and assessment centres. Communication skills are one of the most important considerations in those roles I recruit to, in addition to key behaviours, but I would also suggest it is the same with most large employers.

Many employers are aware that it is easier to develop the technical knowledge of staff than it is to improve fundamental skills, such as communication and analysis of work based situations/issues. Those who secured senior roles in organisations rarely got there due to being the most knowledgeable.

For transparency, I did not graduate in English. This, no bias from my perspective.

Reply 12

Landseer

Original post by Stiffy Byng

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jinchow/2023/10/26/myth-or-fact-stem-majors-are-inherently-more-valuable-than-humanities-majors/

This is an excellent reference. Thank you sharing.

Reply 13

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Also, although this thread is quite old, I'd note that research has found in the UK specifically STEM and non-STEM graduates have similar career outcomes within 10 years of graduation: https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/report/The_employment_trajectories_of_Science_Technology_Engineering_and_Mathematics_graduates/10234421?file=18467912

Also realistically, most graduates go into roles unrelated to their degree and most graduate schemes don't care what degree subject you studied. There are just more relevant pieces of information to them available based on their CV (i.e. work experience from internships etc), their results in the various psychometric tests most grad schemes use now, and performance in assessment centre activities and interviews.

Whether or not someone can calculate the probability of an electron tunneling through a potential barrier or analyse the poems of John Donne don't really mean much in the workforce for most jobs, where your job is probably likely to be some combination of "looking at spreadsheets, going to meetings, sending emails". They want to know that you have the ability to learn the job as you go, quickly, and deliver value for them in that. Which graduates of any subject can do.

Unless it's a specialist role where you need particular technical knowledge or skills (or specific accreditation/professional registration), it doesn't actually matter what your degree is in...

Reply 14

Stiffy Byng

I wish that message could get across to students, to all their annoying and ill-informed uncles ("You will never get a job if you study Mesopotamian Cursive Scripts"), and even to some schools.

I add that the degree has to be a real degree obtained at a real university, of which there are perhaps thirty or so in the UK. A degree in Travel Agency Management awarded (or should I say sold) by the University of We Saw You Coming isn't worth the price of admission. Sadly, that University has recently discovered that, for a cost of about fifty quid a year, it can run a Law School and sell worthless law degrees to fans of "Suits" for loadsa moneeeeeeey.

For some reason, that same university doesn't have a Physics Department.

Vice Chancellor (salary: £750,000): "HOW much for that huge machine that goes ping, and some lecturers who know how to work it? Er, no thanks, we'll double the size of the School of Law. Here's thirty quid, my dear Dean, go and hire another seven law lecturers."

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 15

PG Study Chester

Official Rep

Original post by meowmeowkitty

Hello,
English is a brilliant degree course to study, but I am probably being biased here! You say at the end of your post that English is a subject you have been good at since primary school, and I was the same, my strength and enjoyment lay in the humanities subjects, rather than STEM courses. I think it’s more important to follow your strengths and your passions with a degree course choice as if you are more motivated and stronger in that subject, you will achieve higher grades, than trying to follow a subject you lack interest in and find more challenging just because of possible career options.
If you research English degrees you will find that it is more about just reading and writing essays, English provides a massive range of skills that are invaluable to so many other careers than just teaching, journalism, acting etc. it teaches critical thinking, analytical skill and communication among others. These are what make English such a good subject, career wise to go for, as it can be so inter-disciplinary.
If you did do an English degree, but wanted to pursue a career in law at the end of it, there is always the option of the law conversion course.
Have a look at prospects website in relation to English degrees, you’ll see that the opportunities are far wider than people initially think in respect of future careers. Maybe go to visit potential universities open days. At the university of Chester the careers department is always available at our open days to talk to visitors and I’m sure other universities are the same. Speak to them about your concerns and ask for the advice. Also research the uni websites English department page, this will often list graduate future outcomes.
But I would definitely suggest you follow your strengths and passions when choosing your course, don’t let careers dictate your choice!
Good luck with your choice,
All the best,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Reply 16

Spointionce

Maybe you should consider journalism. you can use your language skills and love of writing

Reply 17

UniofReading

Official Rep

Original post by meowmeowkitty

Good evening @meowmeowkitty,

Its a tough decisio to make when selecting a course. Looking at your options after you have completed your degree is a great idea, as some graduates will graduate without a job, however, many univertys including the university of reading have a Careers centre, which helps students gain relevant job experience so students are prepared for the real world.

Choosing a university course depends on what you want from your university experience. Every student wants something slightly different, such as lecture style or exam vs no exams. I always recommend that you decide what you want from your university and write a list, too. You can compare the two universities to your own criteria; this means the university will be the best fit for you.

A great way to study BA English Language and Literature, whilst ensuring you have wider job prospects could be choosing a course with more than one focus.

For example the university of reading offers: English Language and Applied Linguistics, BA English Literature and Film & Theatre, BA Creative Writing and Theatre, BA Modern Languages and English Language, and BA English Language and Linguistics with Placement Experience.

The University of Reading looks at every application on individual merit, ensuring every student can receive an offer; this is the contextual offers scheme. However, this does not mean every student gains an offer to the university. When I was applying to the university, I found it very helpful to attend an Open Day; however, for students who live far away or do not have access to an Open Day, there is a Virtual Tour, which prospective students can look at from their homes. I highly recommend you have a look at the Virtual Tour; it provides an insight to the campus.

At the University of Reading, there is an ambassador scheme where you can speak to current students and ask them any questions about their course or life at university. The English literature ambassador is the closest match for an ambassador to your desired course. Emily is a second-year student who would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the English literature programme; you can speak to Emily here.

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let us know.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology