English qualifications are useful for many careers, but particularly for working in journalism and publishing, education and training, counselling and social services, marketing sales and advertising, and management.
Applied and job-related learning
There is a range of vocational qualifications (such as BTECs, NVQ/SVQs, and diplomas) linked to an interest in English, such as:
- travel and tourism
- childcare
- performing arts
- media and marketing
- graphic design
- health and social care
Apprenticeships
There is a range of apprenticeships that link to an interest in English, including:
- fitness coach
- travel adviser
- archive assistant
- community arts admin assistant
- nursery teaching assistant
- information services coordinator
- marketer
- learning support assistant
Academic subjects – such as A levels
- You can study English language, English literature, or both together.
- Related subjects include history, law, media, sociology, philosophy, psychology, drama, communication, film, government and politics, religious studies.
Skills and qualities - from studying English
Careers using English
Actor
Actors work in film, TV and the theatre.
Administrative assistant
Administrative assistants help run offices.
Air cabin crew
Air cabin crew look after and keep airplane passengers safe.
Entry with level 2 qualifications
Animal technicianAnimal technicians are responsible for the day-to-day needs of laboratory animals.
Bid writerBid writers prepare documents to win contracts to provide services, or to apply for project funding.
BooksellerBooksellers purchase books from wholesalers and publishers to sell to the public.
RSPCA inspectorRSPCA inspectors investigate and help prevent cruelty to animals.
Teaching assistantTeaching assistants support children with their learning activities in the classroom.
Arts administrator
Arts administrators manage projects and activities in the creative sector.
Barista
Baristas make and serve coffee in shops, cafés, coffee shops and restaurants.
Barrister
Barristers represent clients and solicitors in court and through legal proceedings.
Broadcast journalist
Broadcast journalists report the news on TV, radio and online.
Call centre operator
A call centre operator makes, takes and manages calls in a call centre.
Requiring a degree/Level 4-6 qualification
Commissioning editorA commissioning editor buys the work of authors, writers and journalists for publication.
Magazine journalistMagazine journalists research and write news articles and features for all sorts of publications.
Sub editorA sub editor is in charge of checking all written content before it is published in print or online.
Construction project manager
Construction project managers deal with the day-to-day running of a construction project.
Copywriter
Copywriters write advertising and marketing content.
Requiring Level 3 qualifications
Editorial assistantEditorial assistants provide support at all stages of the publication process in print and online.
Education administrator
Education administrators help run a university, college, or school.
Human resources manager
Human resources managers deal with recruitment, training and retention of staff.
Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapists use hypnotism to help clients achieve positive changes in their lives.
Learning disability nurse
Learning disability nurses help people with a learning disability live as independently as possible
Librarian
Librarians are responsible for the day-to-day running of library services.
Marketing executive
Marketing executives promote products and services to the wider world.
Medical secretary
Medical secretaries provide administrative and secretarial support to the medical sector.
Museum curator
Museum curators look after and manage exhibitions.
Newspaper journalist
Newspaper journalists research and report the news, publishing their work in newspapers and online.
Nursery worker
Nursery workers look after small children.
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help people overcome mental or physical illness or accidents.
Personal assistant
Personal assistants are responsible for administrative and secretarial duties.
Police officer
Police officers investigate and prevent crime.
Primary school teacher
Primary school teachers teach children from the ages of four to 11
Proofreader
Proofreaders check and edit written documents, articles and books.
Public relations officer
Public relations officers are responsible for managing the reputation of a company.
RAF airman or airwoman
RAF airmen or airwomen fly on board fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters.
Retail manager
Retail managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of a shop.
Sales assistant
Sales assistants serve and assist customers in shops, supermarkets and department stores.
Secondary school teacher
Secondary school teachers teach children from the ages of 11 to 18.
Social media manager
A social media manager looks after a company’s social media channels.
Social worker
Social workers provide support to vulnerable members of society.
Solicitor
Solicitors advise clients about different aspects of the law.
Taxi driver
Taxi drivers pick up and transport customers to their destination in a car.
Television presenter
Television presenters front factual and entertainment television shows
Television/film producer
Producers manage media projects from beginning to completion.
Theatrical producer
Theatrical producers are creative decision-makers who manage all aspects of putting on a production.
Waiting staff
Waiting staff serve food and drinks to customers in cafés, restaurants, pubs, and at large events.
Web content manager
A web content manager is responsible for the information that appears on a company's website.
Web editor
Web editors publish and curate content on websites.
Wedding planner
Wedding planners help organise weddings.
Writer
Writers write articles, books, comics and screen plays.
Youth and community worker
Youth and community workers provide support for young people.
Zookeeper
Zookeepers look after animals in zoos, safari parks, aquariums and sometimes in the wild.