Major map:
English
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
The study of English is an exploration of the ways in which we express and create worlds through language. English immerses students in literatures from across centuries and around the globe, fostering understanding of other worlds and forms of human experience, and of their own histories and possibilities as well.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying English at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
You choose
- Any two 100-level English courses (6 cu), to gain critical writing skills and foundational knowledge of literary forms and history
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Check out the advising and resources page on the Department of English site to explore your resources and supports
- Review the English course handbook
What will I learn?
- Read literary works and other media analytically, discovering how they work to captivate and persuade
- Interpret works from different historical and cultural contexts, identifying the relationships between social conditions and cultural expression
- Explore historical and contemporary cultural contexts through a variety of research methods and tools
- Analyze and evaluate critical arguments, identifying methods, assumptions, and rhetorical strategies
- Craft persuasive arguments and convey your ideas effectively in written and oral forms
Gain relevant experience
- Enroll in a First Year Research Experience (FYRE) course to have a meaningful research, scholarly, or artistic experience
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
Create local and global connections
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Join the English Undergraduate Society (EUS): make friends, build networks, and have fun, while gaining valuable volunteer and leadership experience to boot
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
You choose
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks or meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and awards designated for English majors
- Declare your major in the PAWS Arts and Science channel
- Work with a Writing Centre tutor to continue developing essay composition skills and honing your writing style
- Consider applying to the English Honours program
- Meet with the Undergraduate Chair to check degree requirements and get advice on choosing upper-year classes
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of certificates and minors to complement to your major.
Gain relevant experience
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities with faculty
- Meet with the Study Abroad Coordinator or an ISSAC International Education Officer to explore your study abroad options
- Become a peer mentor with the College of Arts and Science, Student Learning Services, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Lend your skills and acquire new ones by volunteering with the University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Research Journal (USURJ)
- Consider taking a leadership role with the English Undergraduate Society (EUS)
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Gain global perspectives through courses such as:
ENG 243.3 | Introduction to Indigenous Literatures
ENG 383.3 | Decolonizing Theories and Literatures
Get career ready
- Attend an annual Career Options session for students of English: hear from a recent English graduate and other guest speakers; bring your questions about English degrees in the workplace
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
You choose
BA Program Students- Choose from a variety of senior level courses to complete your degree requirements
- Consider taking one or two 400-level seminars
- Dive deep: complete four courses (12 cu) of 400-level seminars
- Share ideas and showcase your best work in the capstone English Honours Colloquium (ENG 497.0)
Academic tips
- Consider further study and learn what a graduate studies program can offer
- Attend the department's graduate school and funding information session
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Consider the English Career Internship course, ENG 496.3 (open to all majors, with permission from the Undergraduate Chair)
- Continue looking for undergraduate research opportunities on faculty projects
- Consider submitting a research essay or snapshot to USURJ
Create local and global connections
- Consider attending or presenting a paper at the annual Literary Eclectic English Graduate Conference, held at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina in alternating years (contact the English Graduate Chair for details)
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter and CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Possible destinations
People with an English degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Book Review Editor
- Cataloguer
- Communications
- Content Developer
- Copy Editor
- Copywriter
- Creative Writer
- Editor
- English as a Second Language Teacher
- Grant Writer
- Human Resources Professional
- Indexer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- News Editor
- Playwright
- Proofreader
- Publisher
- Researcher
- Screenwriter
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Content Writer
- Speech Writer
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
- Travel Writer
- Tutor
- Web Editor
- Youth Worker
Graduates from the English program have excellent written communication skills, and the keen ability to see issues from multiple perspectives. They are exceptionally critical thinkers, careful readers, and attentive to details. English graduates are excellent researchers, ensuring that our communications are factual, effective, and mindful of the audience's needs.
—Sabrina Kehoe, Manager, TLSE Service Team at USask
Where do USask English alumni work?
- 7shifts
- alto
- Bank of Montreal (BMO)
- Bow Valley College
- Broadway Business Improvement District
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
- Ethical Digital
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
- Prairie Spirit School Division
- Rawlco Radio
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- READ Saskatoon
- Remai Modern
- Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Saskatoon Public Library
- Saskatoon Public Schools
- Saskatoon StarPhoenix
- SaskTel
- Tourism Saskatchewan
- University of Saskatchewan
- Vendasta
- Verb Media
- Wordplay Creative
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"Choosing English as my major has allowed me to strengthen and expand my critical thinking skills, improved my ability to construct a persuasive written argument, and deepened my knowledge of social history. One of the most valuable parts of the program has been the chance to connect with like-minded people, whether students or professors."
—Ava, third-year English student
"I am interested in both education and law as career paths. Class discussions and essay work are helping to develop my critical thinking and communication skills, and the English careers presentation showed how useful and versatile those skills are."
—Logan, third-year English student
"Through my English classes, I've learned different skills when researching that have greatly helped increase the qualities of my papers, while also helping me in other courses."
—Alexander, third-year English student