WHY ENGLISH AT SUSSEX?
Living in the contemporary world is about reading - not only of texts but also of images and film. Studying for a degree in English teaches you to become a critical and imaginative reader. It not only introduces you to a canon of great works, it allows you to work across a range of disciplines - history, philosophy, media studies, visual culture, film, architecture - with close attention to the texture and the multiple meanings of the text.
Since its foundation, Sussex has been at the forefront of English literary studies, and we continue to be at the cutting edge of this constantly evolving subject. We aim to develop and extend your enjoyment of reading , asking you to think why we should study literature and what role literature has played in past societies as well as in the present. We also aim to improve your ability to think and argue - to ask awkward questions about what you read and why you read it. We believe that the study of English at Sussex develops a critical and cultural awareness that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
The School of English UG 'Information for Applicants' brochure can be viewed here.
HOW WILL I LEARN in ENGLISH?
The study of English requires you to develop skills in interpretation, critical thinking and communication. At Sussex you develop these skills through a range of learning methods. These include small-group seminars and practical workshops, as well as more formal lectures. Courses are assessed through coursework portfolio, extended essays, dissertations and exams.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER COULD I HAVE WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE?
The enthusiasm and intellectual energy of our English graduates, together with the self confidence they develop during their studies, have helped them to enter careers in journalism, publishing, teaching, cultural administration, advertising, public relations, the civil service, the caring profesions and many other fields. The message from employers is clear: they are looking for the kind of humanities graduate who has been taught to think creatively, intelligently and critically about the world in which we live.