WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN ENGLISH?
- Introduction
- What skills have I gained on my course?
- Occupations associated with English
- Other occupations where an English degree would be useful.
- Postgraduate Study
- Destinations of University of Kent English Graduates
Introduction
Here you will discover what BA English graduates from Kent have gone on to do after completing their degree. The great flexibility of most UK degree subjects is reflected in the fact that 40% of vacancies advertised specifically to graduates do not specify degree subject, so English graduates can enter a wide range of careers.
English 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
Although your main interest may be in how to make the best use of your degree subject, there are many issues which are common to all undergraduates and postgraduates planning their careers. Some of these are covered in our Choosing a Career pages which will also help you to assess your strengths, weaknesses, interests, abilities and skills in order to relate career options to what you want from your career. 
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.
What skills have I gained on my course?
A degree in English provides graduates with a wide range of transferable skills, which are important in many career fields. Understanding and analysis of writing is of key importance to graduates of English and can be applied in many other fields of work. Other skill areas developed in studying English include:
- an ability for clear expression both oral and written
- putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner
- gathering, investigating and assessing material
- condensing facts, ideas and arguments
- basing conclusions on research
- synthesising ideas
- organising material in a logical and coherent way
To the many employers who recruit graduates in any discipline, these skills will be more important than the actual subject of your degree.
Occupations associated with English
School teacher
You will need a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to teach in State schools. English is a popular PGCE courses so early application (in October or November for entry the following September) is advised. See the Teaching Links section of this site for more information.
Journalism and writing
Literary Insults
Robert Benchley Classics: books people praise, but don't read. |
Many English graduates are attracted to Journalism and Writing. It's important to gain relevant experience on the student newspaper or other publications and to build a portfolio. See our journalism and writing page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/journalism.htm
Publishing
This covers books, magazines and electronic publishing, generalist or specialist (including academic publishers). Graduates may work in editorial roles or in business roles such as production and marketing. www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PubPrint
TV, Radio, Film, Drama and Music
is the most popular career area for Arts graduates. To be successful you need to gain and be able to show evidence of relevant practical skills (writing for INQUIRE, Kent Radio, Film Making Society, word-processing skills etc.). Take action well before your final year. Many jobs in the media are not advertised - organisations get enough CVs from people applying speculatively to be able to fill their vacancies from these. You need to be prepared to chase employers - you must take the initiative by visiting them. See our Media Careers Page for lots of help on how to get into these careers.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language is a popular option and still relatively easy to get, although you would be wise to get the CELTA Certificate in TEFL as this will make the better jobs available - it can be done in one month. The JET scheme each year takes about 200 British graduates to Japan to teach English for one or more years and pays well - it is usually advertised in October each year with a closing date is usually about late November.
University lecturer
This does not require a teaching qualification, but you will need a higher degree, ideally a PhD plus teaching experience (which you may be able to gain while a postgraduate student). Competition is strong for junior academic posts www.prospects.ac.uk/links/HELecture
Library and Information work
This may be carried out in public, academic or specialist libraries and involves managing the library's collections and helping users to get the most out of them. www.prospects.ac.uk/links/InfoLibInfoMan
Other occupations where an English degree would be useful.
We never know how high we are Till we are called to rise; And then, if we are true to plan, Our statures touch the skies. Emily Dickinson |
Many careers are open to graduates in any subject and may offer the potential to use the analytical, information and communication skills that you have gained through studying English. Your interpersonal skills, however, are likely to be even more important.
Below are just a few of the occupations where the skills of English graduates may be particularly relevant:
Marketing, Advertising and PR. The typical job here is working as a Marketing Brand Manager - being responsible for the sales and marketing of a brand, be it breakfast cereal or sports cars. It's a very creative role, but also (unusual for many creative jobs) well-paid!. Advertising account manager - these plan and run advertising campaigns on behalf of client companies. Very competitive to enter - you need to do your research!
Law
Solicitors advise clients on legal issues, using statutes and case law to determine their relevance to their client's problem. Barristers also investigate and advise on legal issues, often the more complex ones, and present the client's case in court if necessary. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htm
HR or Personnel Management is another option which requires strong communication and advice giving skills.
Civil Service
Graduates joining the Civil Service Fast-Stream are involved in a wide variety of tasks, such as researching and analysing policy options, drafting material that will be used as the basis for new legislation, supporting Ministers in parliamentary work and the management of their departments and liaising with outside organisations. www.prospects.ac.uk/links/CivServAdmin
Retail management requires leadership and communication skills. You need to be practical, mobile and prepared to work irregular hours. This is not a desk bound job and requires doers as much as thinkers. However promotion can be fast and you can rapidly reach a position of responsibility.
Finance
has become another popular option. Many Humanities graduates enter business careers in accountancy, banking, insurance and other areas. There is no prejudice against Arts graduates provided they are numerate (grade B at GCSE maths would be about the minimum acceptable) and indeed often they are sought after because of their good communication skills.
Postgraduate Study
Postgraduate study may enable you to explore aspects of English in greater depth or to study a new subject. As noted above, a postgraduate qualification, either academic or vocational, is required to enter many fields of work related to English, such as research or teaching.
You should consider why you want to do postgraduate work, whether it will affect your career prospects and whether you are likely to get funding. There is no equivalent of UCAS for postgraduate study, so investigate courses early, starting with the Postgraduate Study section of this website and the Prospects website.
If you are already a student on a taught Masters degree, you may wish to continue your studies by research, in the UK (at Kent or elsewhere) or overseas. Again, early planning is important. You should seek advice from your supervisor as to the possible options.
Destinations of University of Kent English 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 English and postgraduates can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/fdrbases/destinations.htm
YEAR |
07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 |
FURTHER STUDY AND TRAINING INCLUDING TEACHER TRAINING
|
16 | 35 | 25 | 19 | 31 |
EMPLOYMENT including:
|
44 | 53 | 44 | 54 | 53 |
| SELF EMPLOYED writer, freelance journalist/photographer, community publisher, freelance reviewer: Diamond Publishing, senior reporter: Kent Messenger Group, media make-up artist, tutor, driving instructor | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - |
| NOT AVAILABLE to work e.g. taking time out to travel, voluntary work | 4 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
STILL LOOKING for work or study 6 months after graduation |
4 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| UNKNOWN | 21 | 30 | 16 | 38 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 91 | 136 | 98 | 127 | 94 |
Destinations of Creative Writing and English and Creative Writing 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 English and postgraduates can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/fdrbases/destinations.htm
YEAR |
09 | 10 | 11 |
FURTHER STUDY AND TRAINING INCLUDING TEACHER TRAINING
|
9 | 11 | 10 |
EMPLOYMENT including:
|
23 | 54 | 29 |
| SELF EMPLOYED Director - ideas.org, Writer, Music Journalist - Press Party, Personal tutor, Freelance marketing consultant, English teacher, Author, Freelance Writer - Quad London Ltd. | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| NOT AVAILABLE to work e.g. taking time out to travel, voluntary work | 8 | 2 | 3 |
STILL LOOKING for work or study 6 months after graduation |
3 | 4 | 3 |
| UNKNOWN | 8 | 16 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 88 | 56 |
After English www.afterenglish.ac.uk This website is for students of English who may be unsure of their future career direction. Unlike students studying a vocational subject, the choices you are faced with can seem unclear and bewilderingly varied. After English will give you some ideas to help you start thinking about future possibilities and reflect on your own hopes and dreams. Obviously we can't do all the hard thinking for you so there are a lot of exercises to try and links to follow up.
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 English
Last fully updated 2011