University courses

2

I’m currently debating what to do for my university degree, and would really appreciate some recommendations. For my A Levels, I’m taking English Literature, Psychology, Chemistry and Biology. I don’t want to do anything that relates to maths (like at all), but I would preferably like to do something that is English based (that isn’t Law or Journalism). I’d really appreciate some advice and recommendations 🫶🏼

Reply 1

DaisyChain1810

10

Original post

by mxryxmm_

I’m currently debating what to do for my university degree, and would really appreciate some recommendations. For my A Levels, I’m taking English Literature, Psychology, Chemistry and Biology. I don’t want to do anything that relates to maths (like at all), but I would preferably like to do something that is English based (that isn’t Law or Journalism). I’d really appreciate some advice and recommendations 🫶🏼

I did biology, chemistry and English lit a levels and went on to do an English degree followed by the law conversion diploma in law, I’m now a solicitor. The English degree was fantastic and so good that I decided to do a masters in English and I’m currently researching an English PhD.

(edited 4 weeks ago)

Reply 2

mxryxmm_

OP

2

Original post

by DaisyChain1810

I did biology, chemistry and English lit a levels and went on to do an English degree followed by the law conversion diploma in law, I’m now a solicitor. The English degree was fantastic and so good that I decided to do a masters in English and I’m currently researching an English PhD.

Thank you so much for your response x
I’m definitely considering a degree in english and really appreciate your advice and recommendation 🫶🏼
Did you do literature or language ? And how did you find the law conversion diploma ?

Reply 3

LancashireRep4

Official Rep

12

Original post

by mxryxmm_

I’m currently debating what to do for my university degree, and would really appreciate some recommendations. For my A Levels, I’m taking English Literature, Psychology, Chemistry and Biology. I don’t want to do anything that relates to maths (like at all), but I would preferably like to do something that is English based (that isn’t Law or Journalism). I’d really appreciate some advice and recommendations 🫶🏼

Hi @mxryxmm_

There are lots of factors to consider when applying to university and choosing the right course. I'd love to make some recommendations ☺️:

•

Attend an open day 🚍️ - If you are unsure which course to chose, attending a university open day gives you the chance to experience campus, ask tutors questions, speak with current students and possibly have a small taster session of a variety of courses

•

Requirements 📄 - Look for courses that align with your predicted grades, alongside removing particular courses from your options if they require A-levels you are not studying.

•

Location 🗺️ - Is there a particular university or area you wish to study at? If so, check out the university websites to see the courses they offer, which can narrow down your options.

•

Career 🧑*🎓 - I recommend looking into particular careers you are interested in. Based on your decisions, research the recommended degrees, or if another route is recommended entirely.

I also recommend checking out this UCAS article: How to choose the right undergraduate course for you.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Reply 4

DaisyChain1810

10

Original post

by mxryxmm_

Thank you so much for your response x
I’m definitely considering a degree in english and really appreciate your advice and recommendation 🫶🏼
Did you do literature or language ? And how did you find the law conversion diploma ?

I did literature and it was fantastic! It was at Aberystwyth uni. Currently I’m doing the PhD at Chester university and the undergraduate English degree is a mixture of lit, language and creative writing. I don’t know what the content of the course is or the modules, but it does sound quite interesting and a good way of keeping all your options open.

To be really honest, law is very dry compared to English. As a creative person I find it a bit boring but the course was very very good. It was intense but the university of law taught it really well. There was more work than on the English degree, but by staying organised and on top of it it was very manageable.

If there’s anything else, feel free to ask. Good luck

Reply 5

UniofLawStudent6

Official Rep

5

Original post

by mxryxmm_

I’m currently debating what to do for my university degree, and would really appreciate some recommendations. For my A Levels, I’m taking English Literature, Psychology, Chemistry and Biology. I don’t want to do anything that relates to maths (like at all), but I would preferably like to do something that is English based (that isn’t Law or Journalism). I’d really appreciate some advice and recommendations 🫶🏼

Hi @mxryxmm_ ,

I had a similar mix of science and essay-based subjects for my A-levels - History, English Literature and Geology - and went on to do Anthropology and Archaeology (I nearly did this as a combined honours degree with English, but decided the workload would be too intense!).

This may not seem very related to English at first, but I actually found Anthropology was an ideal blend of all the subjects I enjoyed. Primatology and health modules allowed me to draw on my biological knowledge, evolutionary anthropology modules drew on my historical interests and ethnographic vignettes appealed to my passion for creative writing. These are essentially descriptive/narrative pieces of writing which are used to bring qualitative research to life (for example, describing a scene at a boxing match when researching sport and masculinity). Given your current A-levels, I'd definitely recommend having a look into anthropology or sociology - you could even do this as a joint honours degree with English.

I know you said you don't want to do Law, but I will note that I'm also doing a law conversion with the University of Law now and I love it! I personally don't find it as dry as @DaisyChain1810 says (though I suppose I don't have an English degree to compare it to) - I find the fictional scenarios we're given in problem questions really engaging (and sometimes quite humorous!) and a great way for learning the law in a practical way. The transition from English to Law is actually pretty popular amongst students given the transferable skills it offers (such as interpreting ambiguous statutes/case law, writing persuasive arguments and identifying key themes/issues from dense extracts). When you're doing your undergraduate degree, do bear in mind that a law conversion is always an option in the future - in full honesty, it didn't appeal to me at your age either, but now I find it fascinating!

Best of luck with whichever route you choose to take 😊

Holly - PGDL Student
University of Law

Reply 6

mxryxmm_

OP

2

Original post

by LancashireRep4

Hi @mxryxmm_
There are lots of factors to consider when applying to university and choosing the right course. I'd love to make some recommendations ☺️:

•

Attend an open day 🚍️ - If you are unsure which course to chose, attending a university open day gives you the chance to experience campus, ask tutors questions, speak with current students and possibly have a small taster session of a variety of courses

•

Requirements 📄 - Look for courses that align with your predicted grades, alongside removing particular courses from your options if they require A-levels you are not studying.

•

Location 🗺️ - Is there a particular university or area you wish to study at? If so, check out the university websites to see the courses they offer, which can narrow down your options.

•

Career 🧑*🎓 - I recommend looking into particular careers you are interested in. Based on your decisions, research the recommended degrees, or if another route is recommended entirely.

I also recommend checking out this UCAS article: How to choose the right undergraduate course for you.
I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!!
I’ll definitely keep your advice in mind. 💛

Reply 7

mxryxmm_

OP

2

Original post

by DaisyChain1810

I did literature and it was fantastic! It was at Aberystwyth uni. Currently I’m doing the PhD at Chester university and the undergraduate English degree is a mixture of lit, language and creative writing. I don’t know what the content of the course is or the modules, but it does sound quite interesting and a good way of keeping all your options open.
To be really honest, law is very dry compared to English. As a creative person I find it a bit boring but the course was very very good. It was intense but the university of law taught it really well. There was more work than on the English degree, but by staying organised and on top of it it was very manageable.
If there’s anything else, feel free to ask. Good luck

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think an english degree is definitely something that I’m looking into. I’m currently researching an English Literature and Classics degree at the University of Birmingham/University of Nottingham but i’ll definitely look into Aberystwyth/Chester. How did you find the master/phd?

Reply 8

DaisyChain1810

10

Original post

by mxryxmm_

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think an english degree is definitely something that I’m looking into. I’m currently researching an English Literature and Classics degree at the University of Birmingham/University of Nottingham but i’ll definitely look into Aberystwyth/Chester. How did you find the master/phd?

They sound brilliant choices! I don’t know too much about English undergraduate courses at Chester, but I do know that it amalgamates literature language and creative writing which sounds intriguing. There’s an applicant openday this Wednesday 18 February which you’re welcome to go to, it’s specifically designed for those students starting this September but everyone is welcome to go you don’t have to be a new starter.

I found the masters at Chester really excellent it was taught and on nineteenth century literature and culture. The modules were brilliant and the tutors were so enthusiastic and keen. Sadly because of the lack of numbers declining every year since ( I did it 4 years ago) it’s not run anymore.

The PhD is something very different. It’s just you on your own working on your own project. I do really enjoy it though but it’s been pretty long!

Feel free to ask me anything else ☺️

Reply 9

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

11

Original post

by mxryxmm_

I’m currently debating what to do for my university degree, and would really appreciate some recommendations. For my A Levels, I’m taking English Literature, Psychology, Chemistry and Biology. I don’t want to do anything that relates to maths (like at all), but I would preferably like to do something that is English based (that isn’t Law or Journalism). I’d really appreciate some advice and recommendations 🫶🏼

Hi @mxryxmm_ 😊

It is great that you are thinking what courses would be suitable for you!!!!💜

The University of Essex's Arts and Humanities faculty would be great to look at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/about/faculty-of-arts-and-humanities. I recommend these schools because they all link to your interest in English-based subjects, and avoiding Maths. Most of them focus on reading, writing, critical thinking and creativity, which suits your A-Levels, especially English Literature and Psychology.💜

Our Social Science faculty https://www.essex.ac.uk/about/faculty-of-social-sciences may also match your interest including Essex Business School, Sociology and Criminology and Language and Linguistics and so on...💜

A course which sounds like it would suit your interests is Psychosocial and Psychoanalytical Studies: https://www.essex.ac.uk/departments/psychosocial-and-psychoanalytic-studies, studying why do we behave and think in certain ways, taught by recognised experts from depth psychology and Essex being a centre of world-leading excellence for the social sciences! 💜

If you have any more questions, please let me know! 🙃
From EssexOfficialRep 💫

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