5 Reasons to Study English (Expert Oxford & Cambridge Application Advice)
1) You have a passion for books, and talking about books.
An English degree gives you the chance to spend three years reading books, thinking about books, writing about books, and talking about books. This means you’ll need to spend a lot of time reading - in the library, in your room, in a cafe, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re meeting your weekly reading goals. You’ll most likely be reading upwards of two books a week, plus secondary reading, plus weekly essays - this has to be something you genuinely enjoy.
2) You are organised, and good at planning your time.
You don’t necessarily need to be a very fast reader, but you do need to be able to plan accordingly. When you’re set your weekly reading, you’ll need to decide when you’ll be finishing each text, how long you’ll need, and when you need to start writing. You need to be organised and know how long it normally takes you to read, write, and plan for an essay.
3) You enjoy being creative and like to think out-of-the-box.
English is one of the most creative subjects you can do. Your weekly essays will provide you with plenty of opportunities to find interesting angles for your reading, and you will be given a lot of creative freedom by your supervisors. You’ll most likely be allowed to come up with your own essay titles if the ones you’re given don’t interest you, and this is a wonderful opportunity to get your creative juices flowing.
4) You’re thinking about what comes next.
English is not just a degree for teachers or journalists - it’s actually a very flexible, open course which allows you a lot of choice in your career prospects. From investment bankers to screenwriters, to business consultants - English graduates can be found in every field, so it’s an amazing degree if you want to keep your options open.
5) You’re independent.
With an average of 5-10 contact hours a week, an English student has to be independent. You are given a lot of freedom, both with your time and what you do with it - so you need to be able to think for yourself, organise your time, and set yourself goals. Your supervisor will always be an email away if you need them, and it’s normal to struggle a little at first with so much freedom, but ultimately when you settle down you’ll really enjoy working independently.
Let us know if you have any questions about this article or anything related to applying for English.
This article was written by Izzy (Cambridge - English)
If you find this content useful, please visit Izzy's profile for further information on applying to Oxbridge. Alternatively, book support now with Izzy, using the form below.
Author: Izzy - Cambridge
BA English
With previous experience in coaching Oxbridge applicants in sessions at my old school, my aim is to help students through their application with sound advice, personal feedback, and helpful guidance.
