English Literature Degree
Author: Uni Compare
Whether you’ve got an English literature degree or even
an English Literature Foundation degree, your command of language, analytical skills, and
ability to structure an argument are fantastic assets for a wide range of
careers with English Literature degree. Here, we’re going to give you a
whistle-stop tour of all manner of English degree jobs so that you never again
need to wonder, ‘What can you do with an English degree?’
So you'll likely find yourself asking, what can I do with an English Literature degree? Well, check out the next section.
What can I do with an English Literature degree?
So what jobs can you get with an English Literature
degree?
Many English Literature graduates become writers. It’s
exciting to work in TV, radio, and theatre, but will require firmly wedging
your foot in the door as early as possible; try looking for internships, work
experience and open calls for script submissions. Additionally, writing books -
fiction or non-fiction - isn’t known for being straightforward or lucrative,
but some people do successfully beat a path this way after their English
degree.
Journalism is a
competitive field, and even more so with the decline of print media, but there
are still lively and interesting roles to be had in magazine, web, newspaper,
radio, and TV broadcast journalism. Those with an eye for detail might do well
as a sub-editor.
Journalism an ideal career if you enjoy meeting new
people and get a buzz out of working to deadlines. Similarly, writing copy for
marketing, or creating web content for businesses offers daily variety and can
provide the opportunity to work flexibly as a freelancer, or have security with
one particular company.
Other English Literature degree jobs include entering
politics (politicians have teams of people working on their scripts for
speeches, who will likely have an English Literature and Politics degree), PR
or marketing. Book lovers may look to enter publishing, typically as an
editorial assistant or proofreader, which will be very helpful if you also have
an English Literature degree online or a Masters degree English Literature
online or any other kind of distance learning English Literature degree.
What can you do with an English Literature
degree?
Of course, the archetypal career path after an English
degree is to become an English teacher. A postgraduate teaching qualification
takes just a year and equips you to work as a primary, secondary or further
education teacher.
It’s a job for life, though the work life balance is
notoriously challenging. If you want to use your English literature degree UK
and communication skills, but without the intensity of a school setting, you
could consider becoming a private tutor, while graduates with an English
language degree might like to pursue a career as an EFL teacher. This can be
done locally, or you can travel across the world with it.
David Duchovny, known for his role as Moulder in The X
Files obtained a BA and MA in English Literature from Princeton University and
Yale University respectively.
Your cultural knowledge could be a help in finding roles
in libraries, theatres or museums, in lexicography, as an arts administrator,
or in archiving. Some students choose to work towards a further qualification,
studying for a master’s in a specialised field. If you get a PhD or DPhil, you
could become an academic, carrying out research and lecturing at university in
your specialist subject.
Finally, many English graduates take on a conversion
course for law or a joint degree for a Law and English Literature degree. The
skills developed on the English degree (such as selecting evidence, evaluating
ideas, structuring an argument and analysing meaning) are an excellent fit for
the legal field.
It is not only the official language of the UK but also
USA, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
Studying a degree in English
Literature involves a lot more than solely reading and writing,
and English literature isn’t only studied by bookworms. English literature
includes the study of plays, prose and poetry and spans continents and
centuries and is an incredibly diverse subject. The study of English Literature
coincides with Language, Social Sciences and History to construct a picture of
how literature influences, and is influenced by changes in society.
What A Levels do I need?
English skills are important when applying for an English
literature course, and most will require an A-level in the subjects either
separately or in the combined A-level subject itself. Per usual accurate university English Literature degree
requirements will vary depending on the institution, and degree
course and students are advised to research their choices to ensure they
understand what they need for admission.
Some universities will ask for at least 360 UCAS tariff points, and a
minimum C grade in relevant subjects, while others may ask for AAB and a B
grade.
What are my study options?
There are many subjects that students can study alongside
English Literature, from Theatre, Modern Foreign Languages, English Literature
and Film studies degree, English Literature and Creative Writing degree, and
Screenwriting, as well as choosing to study the two subjects together, or
separately as a single degree. Studying a joint honours degree offers
candidates the opportunity to gain a broad set of skills and is perfect for
those who are torn between two subjects and will also slightly lessen the
workload for your English Literature degree reading list.
English related degrees tend to last three years unless
students decide to enrol onto a year studying abroad which
usually takes place during the second and third years increasing the degree
length to four years in total.
What should I expect from studying English
Language?
Most universities offer limited modules during the first
year and in some cases throughout the second year for individuals to cover core
topics, and after this will then allow students flexibility in module options
to let them obtain a specialised and personal degree.
The majority of degree courses have core modules that
students need to complete, these set the path for students and give them the
insight knowledge that they must utilise when continuing with their degree.
Core modules allow students to learn the ‘basics’ in certain areas and to ease
the path of progression throughout the degree years.
How will I be assessed?
Regarding assessment, individuals should expect it to be
mostly written coursework with essays, analysis and in some cases,
presentations, projects as well as a final year dissertation.
Many English Literature graduates become writers.
What skills will I learn from studying
English Literature?
Candidates learn professional skills of self-management
and research as well as functional skills of close reading of texts, communicating
ideas and forming a literary argument. University offers students a great
experience to grow as individuals as well as gain confidence which can prove
invaluable in interview situations.
Students who attend university will gain skills that they
can use later in life, such as time-management and organisation, as well as
social skills through presentations and group work.
Why study English Literature?
Studying English related degrees are for those who love
language, how it is formed and received in all aspects and those who spend most
of their time reading the next chapter will enjoy this course.
English Language will give candidates a thorough
understanding of how we communicate with each other and the tools needed to
entertain, persuade and inform others about the use of words. Students with
excellent English skills or who have studied social sciences or humanities
subjects at A-Level or BTEC classification level will
feel more comfortable with this degree.
English literature will give students the chance to develop their writing and communication skills and is concerned with more than just the bestsellers in the bookshops or the Harry Potter that you have on your shelf at home. This degree combines literary knowledge with unique skills of cultural and historical understanding as well as close analysis.
What happens after I graduate?
Although English degrees do not offer students with
particular careers with an English Literature degree path or job when they
graduate, the broad nature of the courses will allow students to consider a
number of sectors to enter.
Individuals can choose to go into research, teaching,
law, or to study a postgraduate course.
Will it help me get a job?
The skills gained through this type, of course, are still
valuable to employers, especially the ability to conduct close analysis and impressive
grammar and English skills.
What types of jobs can I get from studying
English Literature?
Students may work in HR, admin, PR and marketing, as well
as choosing to become an academic or to re-train in law or to become a teacher.
Specific jobs with English Literature degree
include; journalist, librarian,
author, lexicographer, advertising, editorial assistant or to teach English at
a school in the UK or another country.
Your cultural knowledge could be a help in finding roles
in libraries, theatres or museums, in lexicography, as an arts administrator,
or in archiving.
What can I study after English Literature?
There is an exciting range of research degrees and Master’s programmes available
at postgraduate level for graduates who wish to continue with their studies,
including MA in English Literature, Creative Writing, American Literature,
Ancient Literature, English Language and Literature degree, Linguistics, Black
Literature, English Language Teaching, Children’s Literature and much more.
Famous English Literature studies alumni
Stephen King, the notorious author who wrote The
Shining and Carrie studied BA English at the
University of Maine, USA and Sigourney Weaver, an actor who is best known for
the Alien films studied BA English at Stanford University,
USA.
Also, David Duchovny, known for his role as Moulder
in The X Files obtained a BA and MA in English Literature from
Princeton University and Yale University respectively.
source: https://universitycompare.com/guides/subject/english-literature-degree/
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