Why you should study English at university

University of Kent EnglishBefore enrolling on the ‘year in computing’ course I studied English and American Literature and Creative Writing. My contact hours were considerably less during my English degree, in my final year I had a maximum of six hours a week. Whilst that might sound like the ideal university degree, leaving plenty of time for activities and partying, it doesn’t reflect the number of hours you put in outside of class. Reading at least two books each week, plus the critical reading, and researching the historical context, the author and the literary period, you’ll make use of those large gaps in your timetable.

Although, the best part about being a literature student is the reading! During first year the Romanticism module introduced me to a variety of different texts, from lyrical ballads to the gothic. This module also introduced me to the complexity of the female author and gender theory, something that encouraged me to take the New Woman and Virginia Woolf modules in my final year. I also studied Contemporary Poetry and American Modernities, studying Twentieth-Century American literature and culture. English introduced me not only to different types of literature, but to different cultures and historical eras.

Module options are diverse, from Shakespeare to The Graphic Novel. The number of options can make it difficult to pick (there are so many good options!) and I’d recommend talking to your academic advisor and older students to get a better understanding of the modules and which ones will suit you.

If you’re thinking of studying at Kent the School of English is holding an ‘English at Kent Day’ on Saturday 10th November to give you the chance to experience being an undergraduate English student. Find out more about the ‘English at Kent Day’ here!

This post is by Lucy Webb