Careers
A degree in languages at Manchester is not intended to train you for a specific career, though of course many of our students have achieved great success in a wide variety of professions. The courses aim to develop analytical and intellectual skills and to enhance knowledge and understanding of language and culture in the broader sense, on the basis of a thorough command of the language.
The School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures is confident that employers will continue to value the type of education offered at Manchester, and that future graduates will maintain their predecessors' successful record in many different spheres, ranging from publishing and banking to teaching and public administration. A significant number pursue careers abroad. Prospects for modern language graduates have undoubtedly been enhanced by the process of European integration, and this trend is set to continue into the medium to long term.
More than a qualification
Our degrees in languages are designed to equip you with a range of skills, many of which are highly sought-after by employers. As well as developing advanced written and verbal communication skills, you will improve your teamwork, listening, presentation and organisation skills, think creatively and logically and gain experience of working independently to deadlines. You will also enhance your understanding of diverse cultures and develop useful research and analysis skills.
Examples of jobs language graduates do
Civil service " International organisations " fashion " financial services " library and information management " heritage and culture " travel and tourism " hotels and catering " advertising and market research " retail management " sales and marketing " international recruitment " broadcasting " journalism " publishing " technical services " science and IT " shipping services " freight forwarding " voluntary organisations and charities " postgraduate training
Student comments
I currently live in London and work for UBS Investment Bank. I applied for my role purely as they needed people with language skills and although I had no previous banking experience I got the job as it was easier for them to teach me the job, rather than teach someone else the languages. My languages really help me in my job as we have lots of foreign clients. Our office also has a lot of people from other countries working in it so I often use my languages to speak with my colleagues too. Without my languages I doubt I would have got my job - I also got promoted last year and that was partly due to some of the opportunities that my languages had created. Jessica, Spanish and Italian graduate, 2002
I'm working full time on The Volunteer Site where we arrange for people to go to Mexico to do community work, teaching, journalism and sea-turtle protection work. My time at Manchester University has definitely made a real difference to the way my life has worked out. I use Spanish all the time for speaking to our suppliers and on my occasional visits to Mexico. It's the most enjoyable part of my job and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't speak Spanish. Thomas, Spanish and French graduate, 2004
I am now living in Jerusalem. Local languages were a requirement for my job as an analyst, which is based on research in Israel, Gaza and West Bank, and sometimes elsewhere in the Arab world. I use Hebrew and Arabic on a daily basis. Without both languages I would never have been able to gain sufficient understanding on both sides of the causes of and remedies for the conflicts in the countries I have worked. The ability to communicate helped me escape the well-trodden gravy train of many expats abroad, establish close local relationships and provided invaluable protection by helping me blend in with local communities in times of trouble when foreigners were targeted. Nicholas Pelham, Middle Eastern Studies, 1991
Useful websites
www.languageswork.org.uk information portal for languages and careers
www.llas.ac.uk information about the benefits of studying languages
http://www.agcas.org.uk/ examining how languages are used in various professions
www.connexions.gov.uk case studies of jobs using languages
Job websites
http://www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk/ specialist language job portal
www.careerseurope.co.uk UK National Resource Centre for International Careers Information
www.prospects.ac.uk the UK's official graduate careers website
www.agcas.org.uk Careers Advisory Service
www.crac.org.uk Career development for life
www.icg-uk.org Institute of Careers Guidance
www.alumniplc.com Specialists in Graduate Development and Resourcing
For more information about careers, please visit: