A degree in English Language, advice please?

[OctoberMoon]

Hi,

I'll aplogise in advance, you may see a few threads from me. I'm at a real crossroads in my life and looking to change my career, just don't know what I want to do.

My background is theatre acting, both running workshops for children and also acting in theatre myself. I love it but it's not steady money. I also do something else part time, self employed, but it's earning me very little.

I've been thinking of subjects I enjoyed at School. I loved English and Drama, that's it, I disliked everything else. Unfortunately I fucked up my English GCSE as I did no revision and didn't care, after all I didn't need GCSE's to become an Actress. What a fool I was.

I am starting my maths GCSE next week and will have to try and find somewhere that is doing English (It's possible I got a C in English but can't be certain, it was probably a D)

Anyway, after looking into various degrees, English language looks like something I would really enjoy, and going on to do a PGCE to teach English is also something that interests me.

My questions are -

Is there an access course that would allow me on to an English degree course at Uni (After i've completed my GCSE's) or do I need English at A level?

What can a degree in English language lead to, besides doing a PGCE? Is it a decent degree to have?

PGCE's - What would I need to achieve in my hypothetical degree in order to have a chance of being accepted onto one?

Thanks in advance.

[creamteas]

As not all schools offer English Language, entry to this degree is sometimes more flexible than to English Lit.

The best thing to do is identify a few universities that offer this, and either look at their websites or email the admissions tutors. You could also sign up for any Open Days still to take place.

A degree in English Language will open doors to the majority of the graduate jobs that don't need a specific degree. They are also good for jobs in marketing and the media. To get into teaching, you are likely to need a 2:1 (some places take 2:2s, but this only tends to be in shortage subjects)

For a very specific career, there is specializing in forensic linguistics, although jobs are not that common (and often based at universities!)

[MollyBerry]

This might be a useful starting ground
www.prospects.ac.uk/options_english.htm

English is a good solid degree as it requires writing and is analytical, I know people who've gone into all sorts of things, from banking to advertising, along with the things you might expect like journalism.

If your'e thinking about teaching there are lots of routes and this might be useful www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options.aspx

[eatyourveg]

The access to HE course does English Lang within the humanities pathway