Key Takeaways
- The number of students studying English degrees in UK universities has fallen by 19% between 2019-20 and 2023-24.
- Graduates with English degrees tend to have lower average salaries compared to those with degrees in economics, business, maths, engineering, and medicine.
- The decline in English degree enrollment is attributed to the perception that these degrees do not offer clear career paths.
- Humanities and English subjects are being overlooked in favor of subjects like artificial intelligence, which has seen a 400% increase in enrollment over the past 12 years.
- The decline in English A-level enrollment, particularly among boys, has had a knock-on effect on university numbers.
Introduction to the Decline of English Degrees
The number of students pursuing English degrees in UK universities has declined significantly over the past five years. According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the number of undergraduates studying English degrees dropped by 19% from 49,150 to 40,000 between 2019-20 and 2023-24. This decline is attributed to the perception that English degrees do not offer clear career paths, leading many students to opt for degrees in subjects like economics, business, maths, engineering, and medicine, which are seen as more employable.
The Impact of Career Prospects on Degree Choices
The average debt of graduates in the UK is £53,000, and in a challenging jobs market, many students are seeking degrees that will give them better career prospects. An engineering graduate, for example, earns an average of £20,000 more than an English graduate ten years after finishing university. This significant difference in earnings has led many students to choose degrees that are perceived as more valuable in the job market. As a result, universities have seen a decline in enrollment for English degrees, with some institutions experiencing drops of over 30%.
The Decline of English A-Levels and Its Impact on University Enrollment
The decline in English A-level enrollment, particularly among boys, has had a significant impact on university numbers. According to Joanna Burton, head of policy for higher education at the Russell Group of 24 leading universities, the decline in English A-level enrollment has had a knock-on effect on degree numbers. This summer, 112,000 students took maths A-levels, compared to 58,000 who did English. The collapse in pupils studying English A-level has been blamed on various factors, including an outdated curriculum and the impact of screens on reading for pleasure.
The Growth of Alternative Subjects
In contrast to the decline of English degrees, subjects like artificial intelligence have seen a significant increase in enrollment. According to HESA, the number of students studying artificial intelligence at UK universities has risen by 400% in the past 12 years. This growth is attributed to the perception that these subjects will provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the job market of the future. The World Economic Forum has identified big data specialists, fintech engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, software and applications developers, and renewable energy engineers as the fastest-growing jobs by 2030.
The Value of English and Humanities Degrees
Despite the decline in enrollment, English and humanities degrees are still valued by many employers. According to the Russell Group, 85% of non-science graduates from top universities entered a career in the government’s eight priority sectors, including digital and technologies, clean energy, creative industries, and financial services. This is only slightly below the 91% of Stem graduates at equivalent universities. English literature graduates, in particular, have been found to thrive in the creative industries and professional services, as well as progress into growth sectors like digital technologies and defence.
Universities’ Efforts to Promote English Degrees
Some universities have seen an increase in enrollment for English degrees, despite the overall decline. York University, for example, has seen an increase in enrollment due to its diverse range of modules, including literature and ecology, pandemics, public health and pathogenic novels, and modernism’s queer spaces. Professor Jennie Batchelor, head of English at York, said that the university’s courses are popular because they prove that English isn’t just about reading the past, but also about understanding the power of words and narratives in the present and future. By offering innovative and relevant courses, universities can promote English degrees and attract students who are interested in pursuing a career in the humanities.
