English
Many students choose to study English due to their prior love of the subject and their decision is not often a vocational one.
With your excellent written and analytical skills, studying English opens up a wide range of careers options.
What skills will I gain during my degree?
The skills gained from studying English are transferable to a wide range of areas, which means that graduates can, and do, enter a diverse range of roles and sectors.
A graduate in English typically will have the ability to:
- effectively communicate using advanced literacy and skills
- work independently and collaborate with others
- plan and research written work
- analyse and critically examine diverse forms of verbal and textual communication
- exercise independent thought, judgement and skills in critical reasoning and reflection
- be sensitive to the opinions of others and alternative perspectives
- present ideas and information
- use digital platforms
- use a broad range of vocabulary and critical terminology
What are my career options?
Did you know that 70% of jobs requiring a degree do not specify a particular subject?
The range of jobs roles and sectors graduates from English go into are many and varied. Some examples include:
- commercial, industrial and public sector management and administration
- marketing, sales and advertising
- business and finance
- retail
- creative industries including media
- education
It is true to say that many graduates of English (and other subjects) take some time building their career through a series of roles to get to a specific career where they want to be or even to decide what job suits them.
This could be due to a variety of reasons for example: the sector they want to enter requires an entry-level position (for example, heritage, media roles and publishing) or they are saving up to fund a postgraduate course or travel and therefore their first destination is a stop gap.
Explore career paths
Prospects - for career options and job profiles
Hear from Nottingham alumni
Charlotte Emma Jones, MA English Studies
Charlotte Emma Jones graduated from BA English in 2020. She discusses why she chose to stay at Nottingham for postgraduate study, and how she has enjoyed the flexibility to try new areas of English.
Rob Temple, freelance journalist and author
Rob Temple graduated from English and Philosophy BA in 2005. He is now a freelance journalist and author of Very British Problems and Born to be Mild. Read his tips for aspiring writers.
Olivia French, Marketing and Communications Manager for HarperCollins Publishers
Olivia graduated from BA English with Creative Writing in 2014 and MA English Literature in 2015. She discusses how the skills and opportunities gained from her degrees helped secure her role in publishing.
What are my further study options?
Many English graduates progress to masters level study and beyond. The subjects chosen include those that are related to English, for example creative writing, but also vocational subjects such as teacher training, law conversion, publishing, business and finance, journalism, speech therapy and many more.
Postgraduate study or training can allow you to:
- develop your skills and current subject knowledge further
- enter certain careers by building expertise in a specific subject
- switch careers, by training or building skills in a new subject
It’s important to understand your reasons for studying at postgraduate level and to research opportunities and the value of postgraduate study in your sector before applying. Masters funding is available (eligibility criteria applies) in the form of a postgraduate loan, but students can only access this funding once hence the importance of choosing your course carefully. If you’d like to talk this through with an adviser, arrange an appointment to speak with us.
Thinking about Postgraduate Study blog
How can I build my skills and experience?
The opportunities listed are primarily aimed at current students living in the Nottingham area. If you are well into your final year, graduated or are no longer in Nottingham, you can access work and volunteering options in your home area.
Depending on your location and what you want to do, your strategy to develop your skills and experience may vary. You are welcome to have a chat with us, so just arrange an appointment.
Work experience and volunteering
Depending on what area of work or role you might be interested in, and where, there will be specific strategies, from speculative applications to formal processes you need to be familiar with.
Work experience - what, how and when
Nottingham Internship Scheme
We work closely with a huge variety of local and national businesses to bring you an exciting range of internship opportunities, for both current students and recent graduates.
Nottingham Consultancy Challenge
The Nottingham Consultancy Challenge offers the chance for you to gain hands-on experience of managing a short term project for a local business or charity as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Nottingham Advantage Award
The Nottingham Advantage Award offers interesting extracurricular modules to develop and reflect on your employability. With over more than 200 modules across our three campus in the UK, China and Malaysia.
Students' Union
The Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering options both locally and internationally which you can fit around your studies.
Alternatively you could get involved in a society or sports club - there's so many, you're bound to find one that interests you!
Working with young people
There are three initiatives which will give you the opportunity to work in a local educational setting. These initiatives support the academic attainment and raise the aspirations of primary and secondary pupils, whilst developing the skills and employability of those involved.
These are excellent opportunities for students considering teaching, youth work or community engagement as a career.
Exchange programmes overseas
Undertake an exchange semester in another country and broaden your horizons. Talk to your tutors and find out more about the programmes available from the International Office.
Optional placement year
You can now undertake an optional placement year as part of your degree at the end of your penultimate year of study. The placement can be aligned to your degree discipline or related to your career aspirations. Speak to a career adviser or your school for more information.
If you are no longer at Nottingham, you can access work and volunteering opportunities at home. Depending on your location and what you want to do, your strategy may vary so come and speak to us or arrange a telephone appointment.
Developing your digital skills
Digital skills are highly valued by employers. Develop your skills through volunteering, online courses through Google or providers such as FutureLearn, or by getting involved in the Digital Marketing Academy.
If you're not sure where to start, begin by assessing your digital capability and identifying your next steps.
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
How can I prepare for making job applications?
We can help with all stages of application, from reviewing your CV and/or application form to interview coaching and assessment centre practice.
Many graduate recruiters use psychometric tests during the recruitment and selection process. They are common across all sectors and career fields. Practise will really help your performance.