At school, the study of English is part of the fabric of educational life.

This is how it has been for over a hundred years - and no doubt one reason why the subject has proved so popular at university for many years as students were drawn to continue their studies of great literature, poetry, plays and more.

But these are precarious times for the study of English after school age. A series of enrolment declines for English over the past decade in the UK have seen numbers fall by around a third as students eschew the subject for other degrees.

Why has this happened?

Decline and fall

English can appear as a traditional, even insular subject - not least as the name perhaps suggests to some students it is about focusing on a small and ancient land that imposed its language on much of the world.

Furthermore, recent changes to GCSEs and A levels have arguably made the subject appear less flexible and open to the world than teachers would wish.

What’s more, the rise in popularity of Stem subjects, not least through the belief they are the quickest way to a bigger salary, may have turned many heads, too.

However, the study of English beyond school and into university needs championing - and perhaps a bit of myth-busting as well.

Brave new world

That is exactly what the #EnglishCreates campaign, led by University English - which represents university English departments throughout the UK - is aiming to do, by helping make the case for the onward study of English.

A key part of this work is about giving teachers insights into the reality of what studying English at university is actually like, so they can inform their students about the possibility of studying English after school.

So for example, while students may believe that English at university is just the study of old English novels, the reality is that students now read literature from all over the world, and make connections with other disciplines and textual forms.

Students can still study Chaucer and Austen, of course, but might also encounter graphic novels, video games and maybe even Taylor Swift.

Most universities also offer creative writing as an optional pathway through an English degree, too, and many modules offer direct workplace opportunities such as digital humanities, publishing and placement experiences.

And a shift towards combined honours degrees has been a feature of past years, as students seek to curate expertise and skills that fit with their goals for the future.

Great expectations

So where might an English degree take a graduate? Even some students who make it to university worry that their only option will be teaching. Of course, some English graduates do become teachers: it’s a great career and they will always be needed.

But the majority of students go in all sorts of different directions: the cultural industries, media and publishing, the civil service, consulting and law, to name a few. An English degree is a passport to nearly everywhere.

Many employers in industries you may not expect are advocating this, too - such as the chief operating officer of the investment company BlackRock, who said recently that his organisation needs “people who majored in history, in English, and things that have nothing to do with finance or technology”.

After all, English students develop skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration, among others. These are not only attractive to employers today but are vital in helping to future-proof graduates for the flexible workplaces of tomorrow.

Overall, we hope the #EnglishCreates campaign helps teachers enthuse their students with the idea of why the study of English beyond A level should be given serious consideration.

To help with this, we have also curated a series of events such as online webinars and lectures that teachers or students may wish to attend. There is also a poster for classroom walls that teachers can access. You can find more information on the #EnglishCreates website.

Andrew McRae is professor of Renaissance studies in the department of English at Exeter University

Robert Eaglestone is professor of contemporary literature and thought at Royal Holloway, University of London

Gail Marshall is professor of English at the University of Reading

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