Hi! My name is Rosie (she/her), and I am a second-year undergraduate studying English at the University of York! I absolutely love my degree and believe that studing it here at York has provided me with a wide range of employability skills, setting me up for a future in a large number of career fields!
Studying English at York
Whilst the value of an English degree (or indeed any humanities degree) is often a topic of great contention, I truly believe that my degree is indispensable and worthwhile. And although it doesn’t lead directly into a specific field of employment like Medicine or Engineering does, it equips its students with a wide range of transferrable skills that apply to a vast number of careers.
I would highly recommend studying English, and more particularly, studying English at the University of York. Our course is highly rated: in the Complete University Guide League Table (2026), the English degree at York is ranked 6th in the United Kingdom, and it places 7th in The Times’ UK University Rankings (2026).
Furthermore, York’s English students are afforded a lot of freedom within their studies. Within each module, students are able to choose the text they wish to write on, create their own essay titles and focus, conduct independent research, and develop their own critical voice. All whilst being supported by leading academics who are passionate about their subject field.
Employability Skills
Whilst some people may view a university English course as just a rather extortionate, over-glorified book club, it may surprise them to learn just how useful the degree actually is. We do a lot more than read stories… (shocking, I know).
Through studying English at York, I have been able to develop and strengthen my critical thinking, research and analytical skills. I have learned how to work both independently and in a team, through essay-writing, seminar discussions, and group projects.
My degree has enriched my understanding of various social, cultural, and historical concepts. It encompasses several disciplines: politics, philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, linguistics… The list goes on and on. We explore important issues of gender, race, class, and colonialism. Looking at how these intersect. How they develop and mutate throughout history unto the present day. We analyse how and why these narratives are constructed. And why they continue to be employed today.
I have also had the opportunity to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills through group projects and seminar discussions. Collaboration and discourse are essential to the nature of the English degree, and the development of these skills is vital to improving your employability.
Future Career Possibilities
There is a tragic running joke within our course group chat that we will all be unemployed after graduation. However, I have more faith. I believe that the transferrable skills we develop throughout the course open more doors than people might suspect…
English graduates go on to practise law. They work in publishing. Marketing. Editing. Public Relations. Communications. They may become authors. Screenwriters. Journalists. Maybe teachers. Lecturers. The opportunities are endless. Graduates enter the public sector, the creative industries… Although there is no direct career path, there is potential. And I find that far more appealing.
I hope that this has helped to reassure you in your decision to study English at university! I can wholeheartedly say that choosing to study English at York is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I absolutely love my course and truly believe that English is a really rewarding, versatile degree!
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