The University of Stirling

Life After English

An English degree is acknowledged by potential employers as providing important skills, as well as motivation, intelligence, and the ability to meet deadlines. Although English is not a specifically vocational degree it offers a number of important transferable skills, such as the ability to write clearly, effectively, accurately and persuasively. Graduates

Seminar discussion and oral presentations (required by many of our modules) help to develop your spoken communication skills. The critical and reflexive study of a variety of texts (literary and non-literary) teaches you how to analyse and interpret complex information and to apply abstract concepts and theories. Our criteria for assessment also requires you to be able to synthesise conclusions, to assimilate existing research and to construct and defend an argument clearly and cogently.

Throughout their degrees, our students are also trained to use library and bibliographic resources effectively and appropriately, to reference accurately, and to present their work professionally. All of these skills are essential to many kinds of work, which is why so many employers recognise the value of an English Degree.

In a recent report, graduates of English were as likely (if not more) to be in professional or managerial jobs three to three and a half years after graduation than graduates in other subjects (including science and social science subjects). Almost fifty percent of English graduates pursue further education within three years of getting their undergraduate degree, often as a route to a professional career, such as teaching or law.

If you wish to pursue your studies further, consider doing a postgraduate degree in the Department.

Below you will find a list of websites helpful as a starting-point to exploring your options after completing an English degree at Stirling. If you're at the stage of considering whether or not to study English at University level, an excellent resouce is whystudyenglish.ac.uk.

Useful Websites

Arts Advice.Com

http://www.netgain.org.uk

The Arts Council (Scotland)

http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/

The Arts Council (England)

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk

Arts and Humanites Research Council

http://www.ahrc.ac.uk

Association of Authors' Agents

http://www.agentsassoc.co.uk

The British Academy – The National Academy for the Arts and Social Sciences

http://www.britac.ac.uk

British Broadcasting Corporation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs

BBC Writers' Room

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

Chartered Institute of Librarians & Information Professionals

http://www.cilip.org.uk

Chartered Institute of Marketing

http://www.cim.co.uk

The Council for Industry and Higher Education

http://www.cihe-uk.com

Creative Capital – a professional development network for artists and creative professionals in London.

http://www.creative-capital.org.uk

Creative People – a national network providing information, advice and guidance to support all those who work in arts and craft industries in making the most of their careers.

http://www.creativepeople.org.uk

Creative Pool – a site listing UK advertising, creative, design, media or web jobs

http://www.creativepool.co.uk

The Cultural Industries Development Agency

http://www.cida.co.uk

HE Academy – English Subject Centre

http://www.whystudyenglish.ac.uk

The Higher Education Academy English Subject Centre

http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk

Institute of Practitioners in Advertising

http://www.ipa.co.uk

Literary Arts in Personal Development