So you’re headed off to university, and you have a real chance to explore the world of literature. You might even get a chance to develop your own writing style and give voice to your opinions on a whole range of topics. It’s an exciting time, and a good opportunity to build a foundation for your future. You might even decide to go with a medium-sized university close to home, or even opt for a web-based learning mode, which means you can study from home. Regardless, your choice in university is a bold step, and you should be sure of what you’re getting into.
Why Go With English?
That’s a common question on the minds of students who are weighing up whether to study English at university. After all, it’s one of the most popular degrees to study, and it’s broadly regarded as a ‘gateway’ or ‘stepping stone’ degree to further study. It’s often seen as a foundation degree to build on, especially if you want to study literature or creative writing. Since the Open University started accepting web-based students in 2002, the number of people studying English at bachelor level has more than doubled, from less than 10,000 in 2008 to over 20,000 in 2018.
If you’re heading off to university, you’ll soon discover there’s a lot more to choosing a subject than just ticking the boxes on your course apps. You’ll need to decide what you want to do with your degree, and how you want to make the most of your time at university. Here are just a few of the things you can do with an English degree.
1. Develop Your Written Communication Skills
One of the most valuable things you’ll learn at university is how to communicate with precision in writing. You’ll learn how to develop your ideas into well-crafted text, using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. You’ll learn how to plan your sentences and paragraphs to create structured and cohesive pieces of work. This can be invaluable in your personal and professional life, as well as in your degree. As the saying goes, “Good writing is good teaching”.
Even if you decide to go with a foundation degree, you’ll still need to develop your skills as a writer. Whether you decide to go for a master’s degree or a doctorate, you’ll still need to learn the basics of what makes for a good piece of academic writing. Start by looking at how others in your field of study behave, then consider what makes for great academic writing.
2. Get A Head Start In The Job Search
With a good degree from a reputable university, you’ll be able to put off applying for regular jobs for a while. Instead, you can look for jobs in the following fields, which typically require a post-graduate degree.
- marketing
- communications
- journalism
- editing
- publishing
- English tutoring
- content writing
- research and analysis
If you’re looking for a steady job, you might want to consider a career in one of the above fields. Since the job search can be such a pain, especially if you’re looking for a full-time job, you can study part-time and get a head start in your job search. Plus, you’ll have the flexibility to set your own hours, so you can fit study around your busy schedule. There’s a lot to recommend this option.
3. Gain Some Management Skills
One of the most valuable things you’ll learn at university is how to manage people and projects. You’ll learn how to plan assignments and workloads, and consider the needs of others while still meeting your own needs. This can be valuable in your personal and professional life, as well as in your degree. Since you’ll be expected to lead a team of students as a lecturer, you’ll need to develop strong managerial skills. Consider some of the most successful business people in the world, and you’ll start to see a pattern – they’re all highly skilled managers.
If you’re looking for a graduate job, you might want to consider a career in a field that requires strong management skills. For instance, if you’re passionate about fashion, you could go for a management role in a luxury brand. Or, if you’re looking for a career in sales, you could consider a role in a marketing agency. Since the world of work is changing and becoming more digital, you might even decide to go for a master’s degree, as it’ll be valuable to have management skills for a digital world.
4. Learn About Literature
If you’re passionate about literature, then a bachelor’s degree in English is a great choice. You’ll be able to dive into some of the greatest works ever written, from William Shakespeare to Joseph Conrad. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad, which might just make your heart sing. Since the rise of web-based learning, you’ll be able to study from home, meaning you can keep your job and continue your studies part-time without the need for a babysitter. It’s the perfect combination.
A bachelor’s degree in English isn’t just about learning about literature – it’s also about learning how to write. While you’re studying, you’ll be expected to produce a large amount of work, which will form the basis of your bachelor’s degree. So, if you want to have a go at creative writing, online writing courses or even a creative blogging platform, then a bachelor’s degree in English could be a great choice. You’ll be able to develop your own blog or social media platform, and connect with other bloggers and digital creators. Plus, you’ll have access to a wide range of literature, which you might not otherwise have the opportunity to read.
If you’re looking for a broad generalist degree without the need to study literature, then a degree in English with a marketing or communications focus may be a better option. You’ll still gain a valuable insight into literature and creative writing, but you won’t specialize in one area. Since the world of work is changing, and people are often valued for their knowledge of digital platforms rather than print-based publications, a generalist degree could be the ticket to gaining a valuable job in the future.
5. English Is Valuable In Its Own Right
If you’re looking to add value to your resume, then a bachelor’s degree in English is certainly a good choice. It’s valuable in its own right, rather than just being a ‘stepping stone’ to further study. If you’re worried about gaining a job, consider that England is one of the most competitive countries in the world. If you want to stand out in the crowd, then an English degree could be the ticket to doing so. As well as valuable in its own right, a bachelor’s degree in English can also open up a whole range of careers. Think about how much money is made from online marketing and social media, and how much content is shared via Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. Suddenly, the ability to string a few words together on a digital platform doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
As you can see from the above, there are many reasons why an English degree might be right for you. If you’re looking for a new start, then consider what lies ahead; a world of opportunity opens up with a bachelor’s degree in English.