Careers and employability

Study Linguistics and English Language at Manchester and your combination of humanities and scientific understanding will allow you to make connections across multiple fields of employment.

What you'll take away from Manchester

You will develop a range of useful analytical and problem-solving competencies, acquiring key transferable skills in:

• data capture and analysis
• interpretation
• critical thinking
• attention to form and detail.

What you could do after graduation

The University of Manchester is the most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers, according to High Fliers Research.

Your excellent understanding of language will open up numerous paths with an international dimension.

You will also develop excellent all-round communication skills, making you a strong contender for openings in:

• media, PR, advertising, marketing and communications
• business and finance
• speech and language therapy
• lexicography (dictionary work)
• translation
• forensic linguistics
• teaching English as a first or foreign language.

Our graduates have pursued successful careers at The Guardian, PwC, L'Oréal, Universal Music Group, and Vodafone.

How we can help you into your perfect career

You will have various opportunities to expand your skillset both as part of your course and in extracurricular activities.

Work placements

You can apply to spend a year gaining valuable workplace experience on a work placement as part of most undergraduate courses at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.

Study abroad

You may have the opportunity to spend time at a university abroad as part of the University's study abroad programme, broadening your horizons by experiencing new cultures and forming new networks.

You can read a post by one of our students who is currently studying abroad on the Manchester on the Road blog:

• Nooa Karlo (BA Linguistics and Social Anthropology, University of Hong Kong)

Find out more on the University's Study abroad page.

Go beyond your subject

Many employers seek graduates who have skills in multiple fields of expertise to demonstrate their adaptability and resourcefulness.

Our Flexible Honours option may allow you to study another subject within arts, languages and cultures as a minor in addition to your major within Linguistics and English Language.

Alternatively, you could study selected course units from other courses around the University through the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning, or learn a language at the University of Language Centre.

University-wide careers and employability initiatives

You will be able to access a rich variety of volunteering opportunities that help students build transferable skills and form part of the University's Stellify initiative.

In addition, Manchester's Careers Service is a great starting point for discovering the wide range of opportunities and activities available across the University and beyond to help you develop your employability and transferable skills alongside your studies, including:

• internships and other forms of work experience;
• work experience bursaries;
• part-time, casual and holiday work;
• overseas opportunities, for example, our Global Graduates scheme;
• networking events, talks and workshops;
• mentoring.

Students and new graduates have access to a full range of in-person and online help, including careers guidance and CV and applications support.