The University of Portsmouth is joining Britain’s leading English academics and graduates this week to launch a campaign - #EnglishCreates, to highlight the value of English degrees.
The University of Portsmouth is joining Britain’s leading English academics and graduates this week to launch a campaign - #EnglishCreates, to highlight the value of English degrees.
The initiative will be launched at the University English Conference and will celebrate how English degrees are providing skills vital to today’s growing markets in the creative and arts sectors, and language-based systems and industries such as AI.
English degrees can open up a variety of opportunities for students and English graduates from the University of Portsmouth have gone onto to work at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Yale University Press, the BBC, A+E Networks and further study including Law.
The #EnglishCreates campaign, led by University English in association with the English Association, aims to emphasise how young people can create a difference in the world through an English degree, and futureproof their skills for life, work and social change.
The study of literature and language is hugely important, as well as enjoyable. It offers people the chance to reflect deeply on wide-ranging forms of thinking, writing, and expression that are vital to an understanding of society and culture. Our English graduates go on to highly successful careers in all sorts of fields, making great use of their knowledge and skills.”
Ben Davies, Associate Professor in Literature and Culture at the University of Portsmouth, is Secretary of University English. He said: “The study of literature and language is hugely important, as well as enjoyable. It offers people the chance to reflect deeply on wide-ranging forms of thinking, writing, and expression that are vital to an understanding of society and culture. Our English graduates go on to highly successful careers in all sorts of fields, making great use of their knowledge and skills.”
The University of Portsmouth benefits from being located in a city steeped in literacy genius, with links to Neil Gaiman, Simon Armitage, Michelle Magorian, Charles Dickens, Conan Doyle and Jane Austen. Latest National Student Survey results commended the University of Portsmouth as “a nationally leading English Literature course for student satisfaction”. Maximum scores of 100 per cent were awarded for: how good staff are at explaining things, how fair the marking and assessment has been, how easy it is to access course resources and how well the course introduces new subjects and skills.
Chloe Buchanan, 2023 English Literature graduate said: “The English Literature course at the University of Portsmouth has been the best learning experience I've ever had. I was continually offered new and unique literary perspectives from expert lecturers who gave me the upmost support and encouragement throughout. The course gave me a space of academic curiosity that's developed into a lasting drive to continue to learn and engage with the world around me, as well as giving me a lasting confidence and belief in myself.”
The English Literature course at the University of Portsmouth has been the best learning experience I've ever had. I was continually offered new and unique literary perspectives from expert lecturers who gave me the upmost support and encouragement throughout.
The #EnglishCreates campaign is supported by successful English graduates including comedian David Baddiel, poet and novelist Patience Adbabi and writer Ali Smith.
David Baddiel said: “I loved my English degree. I loved getting to read books, and then listen to clever people talk about books, and then writing about books for a degree. It was the most intellectually stimulating way to spend my time at university, plus is opened me up to understanding the world in ways that have stayed with me for life.”
Patience Agbabi said: “Studying English Language and Literature, especially pre-19th century texts and poetry, enabled me to explore and extol the sonic properties of language, the dynamic between orality and literature. I beame a sought after international spoken word poet enjoying numerous invitations through bodies including the British Council in Europe, Africa, the Carribbean and the USA.
Ali Smith said: “Studying for an English degree is one of the best ways there is to learn to read the world”.
The #EnglishCreates campaign will culminate in a week of national events, 3-7 June 2024. Visit universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreates-campaign-events, for more information.