English, BA (Hons)

When you study English at Cambridge, you’re not just reading set texts and writing essays – you’re actively learning how literature, language and culture operate in the world, and you’re building skills that apply beyond the classroom. From working in the dedicated Faculty of English building, using a large subject-library of 80,000 books and computer facilities, to attending drama studio sessions and poetry readings, you’ll engage with text, performance and theory.
You’ll be discussing, critiquing, creating and researching, often in small-group supervisions and seminars with leading scholars.
And you’ll have access to one of the world’s oldest university libraries – the Cambridge University Library – plus your college library and subject-library, meaning you can dive deeply into source material.

Here’s how that breaks down into concrete opportunities for you:

• Use of specialist facilities and resources:
  • The Faculty of English Library on the Sidgwick Site (80,000 books + computing facilities).
  • Drama studio where you’ll attend poetry readings, performances and workshops.
  • Full access to Cambridge University Library and your college libraries for deep research.
• Active teaching and small-group formats:
  • Lectures and classes cover the full sweep of English literature from medieval to modern.
  • Frequent supervisions (small groups) enabling you to present your own ideas, discuss texts in detail, and be challenged intellectually.
• Creative and critical expression opportunities:
  • Projects and essays where you explore literature, film, drama, poetry and other media.
  • Drama and performance work in the studio gives another dimension to your textual study.
• Research and independent study:
  • As you progress, you’ll choose papers and focus areas you're passionate about—and complete substantial research-based work.
  • Library and archive resources support advanced study—ideal if you aim to publish, go into academia, or research-heavy roles.
• Experience of the global and historical breadth of the subject:
  • You’ll study texts from the Middle Ages right through to the present day, and you’ll engage with different traditions and literatures.
  • This gives you flexibility to shape your degree around interests like drama, poetry, cultural studies, digital humanities etc.
• Facilities that support digital, performance and research work:
  • Computer facilities in the subject library.
  • A drama studio for performance, readings and workshops.

Graduates of the English BA at Cambridge are exceptionally equipped for careers that require critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills: typical roles include Editor, Content Strategist, Communications Officer, and Literary Researcher. The program’s rigorous focus on literature, language, and cultural analysis ensures students are highly adaptable and valued in creative, corporate, and academic environments:

• University Careers Service Support: Cambridge offers tailored career guidance, internship placements, alumni mentoring, and workshops for English students aiming for publishing, media, or communications careers.

• Employment Stats and Salary Figures: Over 90% of Cambridge English graduates secure employment or further study within six months, with starting salaries ranging from £25,000–£35,000 depending on industry and role.

• University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from collaborations with leading publishing houses, media organizations, and research centers, providing opportunities for internships, writing projects, and professional networking.

• Long-term Accreditation Value: A Cambridge English degree carries global prestige, giving graduates credibility in academic, literary, and professional spheres.

• Graduation Outcomes: Graduates move into roles in publishing, content creation, media, communications, education, and research, often advancing into senior or creative positions thanks to their analytical and literary expertise.

Further Academic Progression: Cambridge English graduates can continue with Master’s or PhD programs in English Literature, Creative Writing, Comparative Literature, or Linguistics. They are also well-prepared for professional qualifications in publishing, journalism, media management, and education.