Emma Brine

Why did you choose to come to Surrey?

Surrey had the most welcoming campus and the beautiful greenery around the lake was what really won me over. Also, Surrey was one of the only universities that offered English literature students a placement year. Study abroad opportunities are more common in other universities but the chance to work for a year, amid an arts degree, was rare. 

What do you like about your course and why?

I love the diversity of the course. I’ve had a love for books for as long as I can remember. Both of my parents are librarians and so I was raised with a wealth of literature at my fingertips. The modules offer a chance to explore things that are not necessarily in the ‘canon’ of English literature - we study politics, ideologies, history, philosophy and so much more.

The staff at Surrey are amazing! They are always so supportive and encouraging of our work and always make time to help us if we are struggling. I would like to give a special shout out to my personal tutor, Paul Vlitos, who has always gone above and beyond to make sure that I have had a great experience here at Surrey.

Have you been on a Professional Training placement?

For my Professional Training placement, I worked in two separate areas concurrently as an archivist. The first was at the mental health charity Lamp, where I created an archive for their 30^th anniversary and wrote a book celebrating their history. This was an amazing experience and the book ended up being published by De Montford University Press.

My second placement was at De Montfort University. Here, I worked in a team of archivists and my role included cataloguing, social media and creating online exhibitions, so people were able to view archive materials during the pandemic.

A Professional Training Placement (PTP) provides such valuable experience which would be difficult to get otherwise. If I had any advice for others considering a PTP, it would be to say yes to every opportunity. I’ve definitely developed a huge range of skills, both in my degree and on my placement year, that will make me a valuable asset to a workplace.

Do you know what you want to do when you graduate?

After I graduate, I am considering further study. I love my degree so much and I want to keep going! I am looking at a masters degrees all over the country, and after that, potentially a PhD.

Learn more about studying an English Literature degree at the University of Surrey.