Why study English at Brunel?

Study English at Brunel and you’ll join one of the most vibrant, innovative and diverse departments in the UK.

We live in an era of banned books, of social media with radical impact on our concentration spans, of AI technology threatening to replace human employment, as well as literature and journalism as we know them. English is under threat from a range of forces, and the job market itself is being automated. It is difficult to imagine what this landscape will look like in the next ten years. One thing we do know, however, is that human skills are more essential than ever. Employers insist on abilities often known as the four Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration. These are the skills prioritised by Arts and Humanities at Brunel, and most especially by English, which examines the narratives and language by which we understand and represent everyday life.

English promotes transferable skills such as oral and written communication, critical interpretation, information literacy, time management, teamwork, and creative expression. These proficiencies make it attractive to a wealth of employers. Indeed, while STEM and vocational subjects are visibly at risk from AI’s rise, non-vocational disciplines like English cannot be so easily superseded. At Brunel we seek to celebrate this professional advantage through a structured attention to employability, and through an active engagement with the creative industries and the contemporary job market. Notably, according to the 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey, Brunel graduate salaries are 15% higher than the sector average.

Studying as an undergraduate in English at Brunel, you will navigate a wealth of contemporary career paths, with a curriculum which includes literary texts, drama, film, art, and a range of popular media. Put simply, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our curriculum, spanning multiple stories, texts, and literatures.

Our programme recognizes the multiple challenges and opportunities that students face today and the centrality of academic and personal support to ensure wellbeing. For this reason, we equip our students from the start with a personal tutor who stays with them throughout their academic career, as well as a range of student services to meet multiple needs. We benefit from small student-staff ratios in our classrooms, which creates a safe creative space for interactive participation and an opportunity for self-expression in discussions regarding key topics in the curriculum. A testament to this dynamic, in 2025 English at Brunel was rated 3rd in the UK in the National Student Survey, which appraises universities and departments in terms of student satisfaction. We are proud of this national accolade and what it says about our values and practices. We look forward to maintaining this standard as we welcome students in coming years.

Brunel also sponsors the Nero Book Prize, including the Nero New Writers Prize, which celebrates and supports new writers in the UK and England. Our students benefit from this public engagement through regular invitations to actively participate in related events and activities, and to submit work under the guidance of prize-winning authors and industry professionals. More largely, Brunel English celebrates its staff and students’ success in scholarship and employment by building this into its teaching programme, offering a range of student-facing opportunities and enrichment experiences. Also notable is our current Arts Council England project, which hosts Benjamin Zephaniah Day on campus; our commitment to work experience opportunities, taking advantage of London on our doorstep; our involvement with the Hillingdon Herald, a student-run local newspaper; and our Brunel Writers Talking series, featuring staff interviews with celebrity writers from across the globe. Whatever career path you choose to take following your time at Brunel, these engagements will provide you with the knowledge, experience, and connections you need to succeed.

For further information about what we offer, or if you have any questions, please contact our Joint Admissions Tutors, Prof Tom Betteridge (Thomas.Betteridge@brunel.ac.uk) and Dr Emily Horton (Emily.Horton@brunel.ac.uk) or our Undergraduate Programme Lead, Dr Ellie Reed (Ellie.Reed@brunel.ac.uk).

Study English at Brunel