Insight sought on studying English Literature

[Knittedanimal]

DD in y12. EngLit is her favourite subject, which she's doing alongside maths, further maths and psychology. She's predicted all A*s.
We went to Warwick open day and she loved the course but not keen on the campus and wants a 'proper' university (I think she means old) i think she'll try for Oxford but we need a bsck up plan too. What experience do people have of difference in courses/unis please?

I loved my time reading English Literature at Durham. Had the time of my life up there!

It’s strange isn’t it? Kent gets consistently good reviews, it’s in a great place but tends to fall below the radar…

I’m speculating but it’s possibly because most students studying EL are conscious that as a “general degree” the university’s ranking will override course ranking for employability ( unlike something like engineering where employers in that sector know and care about course content/ specialisms). Therefore even if the EL course at Kent is amazing, it’s still not a particularly high ranking Uni so may struggle to attract students who could get offers from Durham etc.

Is there any course at Kent that is high ranking though? I mean the perception when I was a student was that it was a bit "Meh" and I don't see that this has changed.

You might be a bit younger than me but in my day it had a seriously good reputation for film and media. Along with Warwick, it was at the innovating edge of offering film (and TV) studies as an academic pursuit.

It was also definitely as positively regarded for English as many other unis of its generation and ilk (so the plate glasses) - eg UEA, Warwick . As was Hull, back then,

Warwick has simply taken off - and up and away- because of the RG.

Funnily enough I do know one Kent graduate in English lit - who went on to get a highly desirable job in publishing!

She did a lot of extra curriculars and built an impressive CV.

I was born at the tail end of 1968

Hmm. no . Older than me! (Piggy feels suddenly young).

I definitely considered Kent when I was applying and I came from miles and miles away. We just didn't unpick things like entry requirements etc. There were fewer unis to choose from for a start.

The only one I wasn't 'allowed' to apply to was Birmingham because my mum thought it was dangerous. I grew up in Glasgow and she's from NYC. LOL.

If employment is a concern, St. Andrews offers English as a joint honours with many other subjects like maths, econ, management

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/reqs/2025-26/list.html?v=ug

I would love you to meet and chat with my youngest. She is totally transfixed at the RSC, becomes completely immersed and will then give a detailed account of the play, every turn of phrase and characterisation, it's truly amazing to see. She is planning to to literature and acting and follow her dream of treading the Stratford boards ❤️

Yes it would be brilliant but just far too far away for us (by which I mean me)
I looked at the courses ladt night and they really do look superb.
I think it's oxbridge or Warwick/Birmingham for this DD.....although she is now talking about neuroscience!

@Piggywaspushed that's funny. To think Birmingham was a worry alongside Glasgow/NYC 🤣
Although both cities are my favourites.

Good grief, tricky times ahead.

If you like the idea of joint honours - have a look at Loughborough. Not RG and not 'traditional' but a really interesting course structure and offering. High in rankings.