Employability

A BA in Modern Languages from Durham provides students with an impressive and unique portfolio of cultural knowledge, transferable skills and placement experiences that is highly valued by employers worldwide. With the UK now producing fewer linguists, graduates in Modern Languages are increasingly sought after.  

Our students have gone on to jobs in management consultancy, software development, industry, business, marketing, finance, the civil service, museums, law, journalism and the media, as well as interpreting, translation and teaching.

Studying abroad - a head start in the job market

In particular, the Year Abroad, which is and will continue to be an integral part of all our degree programmes, gives students a head start in the job market. There is significant evidence that the experience of working and studying abroad delivers not just improved language abilities and increased knowledge but also greatly enhanced intercultural, problem-solving and personal skills. These are a factor in landing first and subsequent jobs for over 70% of language graduates, a significant factor for over 30%, and the determining factor for about 10%. Employers are becoming increasingly aware that language graduates who have spent a year abroad are amongst the most mature, adaptable and independent people entering the job market.

Better pay, lowest unemployment

Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveal that language graduates are on average 10-15% better paid than other arts graduates and have the lowest unemployment rates overall (only outdone by those in medicine and law). With the UK as a whole now producing fewer and fewer linguists, graduates in Modern Languages are increasingly sought after. As one employer put it, 'the ability to communicate internationally is becoming a pre-requisite for success'.