English Language and Communication, 2013
“I have had a great experience at Brookes, both as a student and as a member of staff. It has prepared me excellently for my future, and it will always be a place I hold close to my heart”
After finishing his A-Levels, Dylan took a gap year in which he travelled around South East Asia, before starting at Oxford Brookes to study English Language and Communication.
Having studied both English Language and English Literature at A-Level, I always knew that my degree subject would have focus on the English language. I chose to study English Language rather than English Literature because I believed it would give me a wider range of skills that would prove useful in future employment, especially as I have always been interested in Marketing, PR and Communications.
Language is all around us and knowing how to analyse language use and how to use language effectively are two skills that are particularly important in Marketing. I liked the various options that were available to study through the English Language and Communication course. There was a good mix of ‘bare bones’ language analysis and ‘language in context’ modules. I also liked that you were able to choose modules from other courses, which led me to studying the Philosophy degree module ‘Culture, Gender and Sexuality’ in my second year. This particular module has ignited a passion for the subject that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Oxford is a city that you can’t help but fall in love with, and if you get the chance to study here then you would be silly not to take it! There is always so much going on, so many places to eat, drink and relax. With countless students in town, there is always something to do and experiences to be had.
From the very first moment we met, I knew that everyone on the course would get along, and because the class sizes weren’t too big it meant you would get a chance to talk to everybody. By the end of the three years, we were a really close-knit group. Dr Paul Wickens has been a great support from day one and is always willing to give advice – both academic advice and life advice! He is also extremely passionate about English Language and his passion instantly rubs off on you. Chris Rizza was also a massive help when it came to writing my dissertation and was always on-hand to answer the many, many e-mails I sent him.
After finishing my degree, I stayed at Oxford Brookes for another year to work as the Marketing Intern for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This proved to be an invaluable experience as it gave me the chance to use the skills learned through my degree in an actual job. The internship has been a real kick-starter for my career, and I am now moving on to London to start in a new marketing role that will give me a brilliant opportunity to progress into an industry that I have always had an interest in.
I have had a great experience at Brookes, both as a student and as a member of staff. It has prepared me excellently for my future, and it will always be a place I hold close to my heart.