What can I do with a Degree in Comparative Literature?

Here you will discover what BA Comparative Literature graduates from Kent have gone on to do after completing their degree. 40% of vacancies advertised specifically to graduates do not specify degree subject, so Comparative Literature graduates can enter a wide range of careers.

CL graduates develop a wide range of skills that are valuable to graduate employers including: how to argue a point, how to think independently, to summarise and precis, to write and speak well, to write reports, to present information effectively and to work as part of a team. Make sure you get most of these into your CV!

This page should be used in conjunction with our HUMANITIES CAREERS PAGE  www.kent.ac.uk/careers/humanities.htm which will give more information on the careers and postgraduate study options detailed below.

Once you have read this, visit the Careers Centre (in Keynes Driveway). You can browse in there as you would a library and ask at the helpdesk if you need help.

Bruce Woodcock - Careers Adviser for Comparative Literature

Destinations of University of Kent Comparative Literature Graduates

These statistics only cover the first six months after graduation. A significant number of graduates are, at this stage, engaged in work which they would regard as temporary – using a short-term job to gain work experience that could act as a stepping-stone to a better position, or earning money to finance postgraduate study or time out travelling, for example. The latest destinations for all subjects including joint honours CL and postgraduates can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/fdrbases/destinations.htm

YEAR

06 07 08 09 10 11
FURTHER STUDY AND TRAINING INCLUDING TEACHER TRAINING
  • MA Comparative Literature - Kent (11), Dickens and Victorian Culture - Kent, English: Kent (4), Warwick, Mediaeval &Tudor St. - Kent, Creative Writing - Kent, Postcolonial Studies: Kent, Film: Kent (2), University of Amsterdam, European CLS. - Kent (3), English - Kent (2), York, UEA,
    Modern German & Comparative Literature     - Kent, UCL, Kings College,Translation: UWE,
    History of Medicine: Warwick, Mysticism & Religion: Kent, Cosmology - Kent ,
    Applied Languages and Computing    : Kent (2),Sci Fi. Studies: Liverpool, Critical Media - SOAS
    Literary     Translation (France), MA English & Spanish - LMU Munich,
  • MA International Conflict Analysis - Kent
    MSc     Computer Science: Kent, MSc Computer Animation: Kent,
    MA Marketing - Hertfordshire Univ.
    MA Publishing - Kingston Univ. (2)
  • PhD PhD Cambridge (+Waterstones - bookseller), Women's Literature and French Literature, both at Kent.
  • Teacher Training
     Postgraduate Certificate of Education at Christ Church (16 - Secondary English and Primary), Kingston , South Bank
    PGCE Primary Gloucestershire Univ., Sheffield Hallam Univ. Bedfordshire, Essex Schoolss Initial Teacher Training
    PGCE English     Homerton, Durham, Oxford Brookes, Oxford University, Brighton, Chichester, London Institute, Exeter (2), Warwick and Reading, English/Drama at Bishop Grosseteste,
    PGCE Post Compulsory Education     Christ Church
  • Diploma: Magazine Publishing - University of Arts, Audio Engineering: SAE Institute,
    Graduate Diploma in Law - College of Law at Bristol, Westminster Univ.
    Public Relations: West Herts College, French: Maidstone F.E. Centre
 2 7 7 17 3 14
EMPLOYMENT including:
  • Journalist Kent Messenger Group, 442 Magazine, Surrey and Sussex Advertiser, Associated Newspapers, Assistant Press Officer - Excess Press, Hotel Reviewer
  • Box Office Assistant Marlowe, Theatre Royal - the first step to Arts Administration. Art Assistant - Hit Entertainment, Manager - Theatre Train
  • Film/TV Production Runner - Unit Post, Film Extra - Universal Extras
  • Live Subtitler - IMS
  • Library Assistant Kent University Library, University of Central England, Cambridge University, Middlesex University, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Normally after 1 year they would go on to take a 1 year Librarianship course.
  • Social Work residential: Caldecott Community, Care Co-ordinator - Greenwich Council, Probation Service Case Administrator - West Midlands, Community Carer - Safe Hands
  • Bookseller Waterstones (3), Blackwells, Trainee Manager - Waterstones. Sometimes a stepping stone to Publishing
  • Publishing Editorial Assistant: Business Wire, Creditflux, Wimbledon Publishing, Editorial & Advertising Consultant - Creative Copy
  • Media Sales Executive - Associated Newspapers
  • Stagiare - Luxembourg
  • Administrator: Esoteric, MOD, Ministry of Justice, Windsor Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Newbury Conservative Assoc'n, 3M, CGNU, NCR, GlaxoSKB, S. Kent College, Guildhall Univ., Kent Adult Education Service, Metronet Rail, Law Debenture Corporation, Swiss Re
  • HR HR Admin Assistant - Worthing Borough Council, Recruitment Manager - NHS
  • Retailing Buyer's assistant - M&S, Customer Relations Asst. John Lewis, Customer Services Virgin Megastore
  • Graduate Trainee - Enterprise Rent a Car
  • Gallery Sales As sistant - Westcliffe Picture Gallery
  • Trainee Chartered Accountant Ernst and Young. Accountancy takes graduates from all degree subjects.
  • Banking BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs, Intern - Standard Chartered Bank
  • Insurance Trainee Underwriter Sterling, Hiscox, Pension Scheme Administrator, Suffolk Life Pensions
  • Finance Fast Track - Civil Service
  • Share Plans Administrator - Capita
  • Mortgage Administrator - Halifax
  • Analyst - Ubisoft
  • Marketing Marketing Assistant - Learndirect, Field Marketing Supervisor - Blackjack Promotions , Envopack, Fashion Company  many marketing jobs are open to any degree subject - closing dates are early in final year.
  • Sales Manager: Pennwell Corporation, PPI
  • Telesales: Business Link, BT
  • Medical Health Sales Adviser: Zurich Insurance
  • Advertising & PR Executive: Woolley Pau, Dunelm PR: Account Executive  
  • IT IT Consultant MYM Video, Website Developer: NHS Kent & Medway, StudentSurvive.com
  • Travel Consultant: SAGA
  • Recruitment Consultant: Reed's Recruitment Agency
  • Business Dev't Coordinator: Denne Construction
  • Research Ass't: Genera Technologies, Facts International, Screening Researcher - Vero
  • Supply teacher - Hays Education
  • Learning Support/Teaching/Classroom Assistant 16 in various schools - ideal preparation for a teaching course.
  • Colleges Canterbury College Admissions Ass't, Learning Centre Adviser: S. Kent College, Study Support Manager: S. Kent College, Curriculum Administrator - Guildford College
  • Societies & Rag Coordinator - Kent Union
  • Teaching English Abroad JETS Scheme Japan (2), Teach China, EFL Teacher - Spain, EFL Teacher - Berlitz, Spain
  • Ski Representative - Interski
  • Panel Beater
  • Registry Ass't - Christ Church University, Administrator - Christ Church Univ.
  • Customer Service: Eurostar
  • Medical Secretary: Kings College Hospital
  • A number of graduates were working as sales assistants, receptionists, waitresses, in bar work and in clerical work as a stepping stone to something more permanent.
 14 10 27 26 7 21
NOT AVAILABLE to work e.g. Time out to travel, looking after family, retired 3 3 3 1 2 1

STILL LOOKING for work or study 6 months after graduation

 1 0 4 2 0 4
UNKNOWN 2 6 20 6 15 15
TOTAL 22 26 61 52 27 55

 

"Classic: a book that is praised but not read"

A hangover is the wrath of grapes

 

Last fully updated 2011