English Language and Communication

The skills and knowledge you gain on this course can transfer to many graduate occupations, including business, politics, journalism, law, consultancy, marketing, teaching, speech therapy, and the military or civil service, amongst many others.

It will also help you develop a greater understanding of national and international issues in the modern world, and reflect on some of the most important ethical and moral issues of our time. This will allow you develop the values and practices required for ethical and effective leadership.

Figures from the Department for Education show that English is the joint fourth subject for annual average wage growth at 6.2%, and a key contributor to the creative industries, the fastest growing part of the UK economy. 25% of SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) graduates work in the creative sector – currently worth £84.1bn to the UK. By 2030, it’s expected that there will be 900,000 new jobs in this sector. (Source: Qualified for the Future (PDF), The British Academy).

Or you might choose to stay at ARU and study a Master’s degree, like our MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL or MA Intercultural Communication. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship to get 20% off your fees.

BA (Hons) English Language graduate Jyoti Singh now works as Student Services Manager at Stafford House language school in Cambridge.

BA (Hons) English Language graduate Beth Restor now works for the US Department of the Air Force as a School Liaison Program Manager, and is studying for an MA in Communicative Disorders.

BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics graduate Lettie Ndlovu has worked as a linguist on Amazon’s Alexa team and is now taking a degree apprenticeship as a Solutions Architect with Amazon Web Services.

The average graduate starting salary for English graduates is £18,000-£24,000, which compares well with subjects like Psychology (£18,000–£23,000), Law (£18,600–£23,000), Business Studies (£20,000–£26,000), and Chemistry (£19,000–£25,600). (Source: The Complete University Guide 2023)

Figures from the Department for Education show that English is the joint fourth subject for annual average wage growth, at 6.2%.

Cambridge has a range of vibrant business and industry sectors, ranging from major publishing houses to technology companies, all of which require graduates with strong communication and analytic skills. It has over 30 English language schools.

Our business and industry partners provide opportunities for live briefs, placements and volunteering positions; they also give you a vital network for your future employment and projects. If you’re interested in teaching English, you might also be able to take up part-time work with them, and further develop your skills at the same time.

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore an ARU Certificate for Professional Development, placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.

Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend up to nine months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.

We’ll assess you using a range of methods, including essays, exams, oral presentations, portfolios, practical work and your third-year Major Project.