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English degree graduates can be found in numerous sectors, filling a variety of roles â€“ from journalist to teacher, and marketing manager to legal advisor.

In this blog post, Dr Christopher Pittard, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, explains what jobs you can get with a degree in English Literature.

Studying English Literature at degree level will set you up to pursue careers in fields where communication and critical thinking are important. You’ll also get to explore history and politics, society and culture, human relationships and identities, and how we choose to live. And you’ll have the freedom to choose topics that you’re interested in â€“ whether that’s classic or contemporary literature, women’s writing or crime writing. 

You’ll study complex, challenging issues and you’ll become an expert in reading, analysing and discussing written works that inspire you. You’ll also develop the skills to produce powerful writing and presentations in ways that engage and influence an audience.

These skills are highly transferable, which means a degree in English Literature is well respected by potential employers and can lead to a successful career in various industries.

Here are some example of jobs you can do with an English Literature degree:

• journalist 
• copywriter 
• teacher
• paralegal 
• marketing executive
• editor
• museum curator
• freelance writer
• librarian 
• publisher 
• web editor
• author
• social media manager
• PR manager

But this list isn’t exhaustive; there are numerous other careers in fields where strong communication and written English skills are top priorities. For example within sectors such as media, advertising, law, retail and leisure. 

There are also plenty of companies that recruit English Literature graduates. PR agencies such as Edelman and Brunswick and publishers like Penguin Random House and Harper Collins have a range of editorial, writing and content management roles. 

Once you’ve started a degree in English Literature, you have the option to choose a customised degree if you want to combine your studies with an interest in history or media studies.

Graduates from our English Literature with Media Studies degree have gone on to work for BBC News, BBC Radio 1 and 2 as editors, producers and presenters. Others have gone on to work for Wiley, Random House, Bloomsbury and the Sunday Times. We also have graduates working in the cultural sector – one is Curator of Digital Content at the V&A Museum in London.

СÀ¶ÊÓƵ really is the perfect place to study literature – Charles Dickens was born here and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a resident. Rudyard Kipling’s work was also inspired by his early years in the city. There is such rich literary heritage here and a lively literature scene.