Careers
A degree in English shows potential employers that you have excellent communication skills, an eye for detail and close analysis, and that you have the intelligence and flexibility to undertake any form of specific career training.
Our graduates are successful in a huge range of careers, from working in the media, to teaching, to law and accountancy.
From the essays where you learn to write analytically, to the creative side which helps you write for so many different audiences – letters, fiction, poetry – you get such a range.
Charlotte Emma Jones, BA English graduate (2020)
Average starting salary
89.3% of undergraduates from the School of English secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary was £22,441.*
*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
What our graduates say
One of the skills that’s definitely useful in my job, is knowing how to communicate with different stakeholders. If I’m talking to an editor about a book, I’m going to have a different conversation with them than I would have with the author. The communication skills which I gained from my course are really invaluable.
Olivia French, Marketing and Communications Manager at HarperCollins Publishers
Undergraduate student profiles
Masters student profiles
Research student profiles
Tailored careers support
Our Careers and Employability Service offer subject-specific support and advice. Services also include:
- CV reviews and drop-in sessions
- Graduate job fairs and latest job listings
- Annual Careers Handbook
Discover how you can use your English degree
Further study
Find out about our taught masters degrees and doctoral research.