English

In this program you’ll look at literature from a variety of perspectives. You can explore:

stories
poems
plays
film
graphic novels
video games

Potential careers

What can you do with an English degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:

communications coordinator
librarian
archivist
technical writer
creative writer
proposal writer
social media manager
editor
content manager
program manager
curriculum planner
human resources coordinator
government or public service
market research
community outreach
student services
teacher or instructor
entrepreneur

Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.

Find a career that fits you

Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
Enrol in the Your Career Starts Here course to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.

Experience & connections

Opportunities in the English program

With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.

Opportunities outside your program

With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.

Networks you can connect to

Here are a few professional associations related to English:

Hands-on learning opportunities

These courses in the English program offer extensive hands-on learning.

Course-based

Many English courses incorporate experiential learning, archival exploration, creative projects, guest lectures, and more. Get hands-on experience in courses such as:

See our current course offerings here.

Professional Communication

In Professional Communication courses, students produce professional documents and content for both print and digital media using the latest and most appropriate technologies and practices. These courses can count towards a Professional Communication minor.

Capstone Courses

Capstone seminars are small research-intensive courses in variable topics for upper-level Majors and Honours students.

Honours Program

The Honours Program allows students of proven ability to study English language and literature more intensively than is possible in the Major or General Programs.

What you'll learn

Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the English program.

English language

write and speak at a professional level
use grammar and punctuation correctly
understand the development of the English language
identify historic varieties of English
understand the diversity and global dispersion of contemporary varieties of English

English literature

understand English literature from the medieval period to the present
understand literature in English outside Britain, including Canadian, American and postcolonial literature
understand the literary canon including Chaucer and Shakespeare
understand literary history and periodization
understand genre and form

Literary interpretation

critically read literature and describe how literary texts generate meaning
understand major issues in literary criticism
understand and read literature in relation to literary theory
use close reading skills and literary terminology such as metre, figurative language, speaker, persona, tone and voice
identify the critical questions to ask about a body of material

Historical, social and cultural perspective

identify the historical, social and cultural context in which a text is produced
understand how historical, cultural and social contexts impact literary texts
explore historical, social and cultural perspectives with intellectual curiosity
consider politics in the context of literature, including nationalism, imperialism, militarism, liberalism and conservatism
consider religion, ethnicity, race, gender and class in the context of literature

What's next?

To explore more visit the English site. For degree planning contact your adviser for help.