Options with modern languages
Studying modern languages will give you excellent and varied career opportunities and life-long skills. Language skills are in scarce supply and can be used in almost any job. Studying a language clearly makes you a communicator, both orally and in writing. Additional skills gained through a language degree include the ability to:
If you spend a year abroad during your degree, you will gain insight into another culture, adapt to new and changing surroundings, as well as work both in a team and independently. These skills have value in a job market that is becoming increasingly global and will be appreciated by employers, whatever career you go into.
A languages degree is suitable for a wide range of occupations and sectors. For detailed information go to using your language skills. Many language graduates want to work internationally and there is useful information on this site on working abroad.
Over 13% of modern languages graduates get their first job outside of the UK. Many graduates take on a short-term role, such as teaching English, while living abroad and perfecting their language skills. However, you could make teaching English your long-term career. Some graduates also take short-term roles in the tourism and leisure industry.
Another option is to embark on a freelance career in interpreting or translating. To get yourself established, it is essential to have some experience behind you so joining an agency may be a good choice. Self-employment requires great contacts and the ability to market yourself. Having an interesting mix of languages under your belt will also be attractive to potential clients.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, almost 60% of modern languages graduates were in employment. Of these, 14% were business or financial professionals and 13% were in the marketing, sales and advertising industry. 11% were working in administrative and clerical roles while a further 11% were in commercial, industrial and public sector management.
Many graduates choose careers not directly related to their subject but where there is the opportunity to use their language skills, for example working for companies who trade or offer services internationally or to non-English speaking customers and suppliers.
For example, significant numbers take professional or managerial roles in commerce, industry or the public sector, or work in advertising, marketing and sales. A considerable number also take clerical and secretarial positions in order to gain experience for careers in business, commerce or the public sector, or jobs in retail or catering to gain experience of dealing with the public.
Language graduates work for a huge variety of employers and sectors, with media, tourism, PR, business, finance, commerce and the public sector all featuring in the destinations of graduates.
For an insight into possible employment areas, see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
Almost 19% of modern language students who graduated in 2011 went on to full-time further study, while a further 7.5% studied while working. You can choose to specialise in an area of language study that has interested you during your undergraduate degree.
However, as many postgraduate courses will accept graduates from any subject, you can choose courses in subjects such as marketing, finance, business, law, IT and journalism.This will help you to gain further skills in career-related areas.
Many go on to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in preparation for a teaching career. Some choose to study abroad in order to increase their chances of getting an international career.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
