What is an English degree?
An English degree studies literature, language and writing in depth, developing your ability to read closely, analyse critically, and construct a persuasive written argument, skills that extend well beyond literature itself.
Depending on the specific course, "English" can mean English Literature (studying novels, poetry and drama), English Language (studying how language itself works and is used), Creative Writing (studying and practising the craft of writing), or some combination, so it's worth checking exactly what a specific course covers rather than assuming based on the title alone.
What do you actually study on an English degree?
Most English Literature degrees combine broad historical and thematic coverage with the option to specialise in later years toward periods, authors or theoretical approaches that interest you.
Common areas of study include:
- Literature across historical periods, from medieval and early modern texts through to contemporary writing
- Critical Theory, covering the major frameworks used to analyse and interpret texts
- Close Reading and Textual Analysis, the core analytical skill underpinning the whole degree
- Genre-specific study, covering poetry, drama, the novel, and increasingly, other forms like film or digital media
- Academic Writing, developing the ability to construct sustained, evidence-based written arguments
Many degrees also offer Creative Writing modules alongside the literary study, and some universities offer combined honours degrees pairing English with a related subject such as History, a language, or Philosophy.
Specialisations and how English compares to related subjects
Within English, you can typically specialise later through optional modules focused on a specific period, genre or author, and joint honours degrees let you combine English with History, a language, Philosophy, or another humanities subject in genuine depth.
If you're still deciding whether English itself is the right degree, here's how it compares to some commonly considered alternatives:
| Compare to | Choose it instead if... | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | You want to focus primarily on writing your own original work rather than analysing existing texts | Creative Writing focuses on producing original work; English Literature focuses on analysing and interpreting existing texts (some courses combine both) |
| History | You're more interested in events and causation than texts and language | History focuses on events, causation and evidence from a range of sources; English focuses specifically on texts, language and literary interpretation |
| Journalism or Media | You want a more direct, vocational route into writing or media careers | Journalism and Media degrees are more directly vocational, focused on practical media skills; English builds broader analytical and writing skills without a specific career attached |
| Linguistics | You're more interested in how language works structurally than in literary interpretation | Linguistics studies language scientifically, structure, sound, meaning; English Literature focuses on interpreting literary texts |
Creative Writing
- Choose it instead if...
- You want to focus primarily on writing your own original work rather than analysing existing texts
- Key difference
- Creative Writing focuses on producing original work; English Literature focuses on analysing and interpreting existing texts (some courses combine both)
History
- Choose it instead if...
- You're more interested in events and causation than texts and language
- Key difference
- History focuses on events, causation and evidence from a range of sources; English focuses specifically on texts, language and literary interpretation
Journalism or Media
- Choose it instead if...
- You want a more direct, vocational route into writing or media careers
- Key difference
- Journalism and Media degrees are more directly vocational, focused on practical media skills; English builds broader analytical and writing skills without a specific career attached
Linguistics
- Choose it instead if...
- You're more interested in how language works structurally than in literary interpretation
- Key difference
- Linguistics studies language scientifically, structure, sound, meaning; English Literature focuses on interpreting literary texts
What skills does an English degree develop?
An English degree builds genuinely strong analytical and communication skills, which is why graduates end up in such a wide range of careers well beyond anything explicitly "literary."
Skills you can expect to build include close reading and critical analysis, constructing and defending a sustained written argument, research skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, skills valued highly across law, business, media, policy and many other sectors.
What careers can an English degree lead to?
An English degree doesn't lead to one fixed career, its value lies in strong analytical and written communication skills that are genuinely portable across many industries.
Roles where the degree connects fairly directly include publishing, journalism, copywriting, editing, and teaching (typically requiring further postgraduate teacher training).
Roles where the degree is valued more broadly include law (often via a conversion route), marketing and communications, the civil service, HR, policy, and business roles across many sectors that value strong writing and analytical thinking.
What do English graduates actually do after graduating?
English graduates move into a genuinely broad spread of sectors, publishing and media account for a meaningful share, but a large proportion of graduates end up in business, public sector and other roles that value the degree's core analytical and communication skills rather than its specific literary content.
How much do English graduates earn?
There's no single salary figure for an English graduate, since the degree leads to careers with very different pay structures, from publishing and media through to law, business and the civil service.
Rather than relying on a single average, use official sources such as Discover Uni in the UK, or your target country's equivalent, to compare specific universities and courses, and research salary data for the specific sector you're actually interested in.
Is an English degree worth it?
For students who genuinely enjoy close reading, analysis and writing, yes, its skillset is valued far more broadly than the "publishing or teaching" stereotype suggests. Its main trade-off is the same flexibility working in reverse, no single fixed career path, so building relevant experience matters.
Its biggest advantage is the strength and portability of its core skills, close analysis and persuasive writing are valued across law, business, media, policy and more. Its main trade-off is that, unlike a more vocational subject, it doesn't point toward one obvious next step, so it's worth being proactive about building sector-specific experience during your degree, rather than assuming the subject alone will define your career.
How can you strengthen your application and career prospects during an English degree?
Your degree is only one part of your employability, and the strongest English graduates tend to build practical, sector-relevant experience alongside their studies.
Worth prioritising: writing for a student publication or blog to build a genuine, discussable portfolio; seeking internships or work experience in a sector you're interested in (publishing, marketing, law, the civil service); developing complementary practical skills, such as basic digital or content skills, alongside your degree; and being able to clearly articulate your transferable skills to employers outside the obvious "English graduate" careers.
Not sure whether English, or another course entirely, actually fits your grades and interests? Try StudyDecidr's free course matching tool to get a curated shortlist based on your predicted grades and career ambitions. (International and postgraduate course matching is coming soon.)
Curious what studying different subjects is actually like day to day? Read Emily's story about studying English with Study Abroad at the University of Bristol, including how her interests shifted from publishing toward environmental policy during her degree.
Sources and methodology
General claims (typical course structure, skills developed, career breadth) reflect common patterns across UK English degrees rather than a single official source, and individual courses vary, so always check specific university course pages directly. Entry requirements, fees and graduate outcome data change regularly, so always check the latest information directly with the relevant university.