OUM’s Bachelor of English Studies (Hons.), or BEST, is uniquely different from traditional offerings of English. BEST takes as grounding that ‘doing English’ need not be interpreted solely in the traditional sense as choosing to study one branch of English (e.g., linguistics) instead of the other branches (e.g., literature, applied communication). BEST demonstrates that ‘doing English’ could alternatively and productively mean learning the essentials from the major branches of English in order to acquire a rounded contemporary education.
In short, BEST’s curriculum provides learners with opportunities to acquire not only advanced language proficiency but also knowledge and competencies in linguistics, communication, including advanced and professional writing, as well as literary and cultural studies.
Learners who successfully complete an English Studies programme at OUM can expect to be able to:
- demonstrate advanced English language proficiency skills and knowledge;
- engage imaginatively in the advanced process of reading, analysing and/or producing complex and sophisticated literary and non-literary texts and discourse;
- demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of contextual approaches to the production and reception of texts and discourses across fields;
- reflect critically upon textual production and reception across time and space and in their own practice;
- apply a range of subject-specific and transferrable skills, including high-order conceptual, analytic and communication skills;
- embark on further study in English or related disciplines at higher levels.
Career Prospects
English graduates have thrived in diverse careers. This is because they possess not only subject knowledge and subject specific skills, but also such transferable graduate skills as advanced literacy and communication skills, critical reasoning, and the capacity to critically analyse diverse forms of discourse.
Interesting and diverse career paths await English graduates, including Teaching, Training, Journalism, Management, Professional Writing, Creative Writing, Research, Editorial, Advertising, Media, Public Relations, Academia, Theatre, Consultancy, and more.