Durham's modern languages degrees provide students with a unique portfolio of cultural knowledge, transferable skills and placement experiences that are highly valued by employers worldwide. With the UK now producing fewer linguists, graduates in languages are increasingly sought after.
Our students have gone on to jobs in management consultancy, software development, industry, property, business, marketing, finance, the civil service, museums, law, journalism and the media, as well as interpreting, translation and teaching. Employers include Accenture, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, the British Council, Grant Thornton, Proctor & Gamble, Bloomberg, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the NHS, the Natural History Museum and Goldman Sachs.
The skills in creative thinking, innovation, questioning, critical thinking, logic and rhetoric that modern languages students develop are becoming more important with the development of AI.
"AI will allow non-technical people to accomplish a lot more — some of the skills that are really salient to cooperate with this new intelligence in the world are critical thinking, understanding logic and rhetoric, the ability to be creative"
George Lee, Co-head of Applied Innovation, Goldman Sachs: Read more
"Questioning, creativity skills, and innovation are going to be hugely important because I think AI’s going to free up more capacity for creative thought processes"
Matt Candy, Global Managing Partner, IBM: Read more
The year abroad is an integral part of our programmes. Working or studying abroad delivers improved language abilities and intercultural, problem-solving and personal skills. Employers see language graduates who have spent a year abroad as more adaptable and independent than other job candidates.
Moving abroad and living independently are huge opportunities for personal growth and set you apart from other candidates when you’re applying for jobs post-university – people still ask about it several years into my career.
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.
Employers value intercultural skills – such as understanding different cultural contexts and viewpoints; respect for others; and knowledge of a foreign language – more and more. Employees with these skills are seen as more likely to bring in new clients, work well in diverse teams, and develop their organisation’s brand and reputation.
Studying Modern Languages has given me an array of transferable skills. Aside from using my languages as I work in a global company with international clients and colleagues, the research, writing and interpersonal skills that I gained have been invaluable’.
Get to know our alumni, find out more about their careers, which modules they chose, what they experienced during their time abroad and what advise they have for prospective students.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is all about working internationally. It’s a lot about language: briefings, statements, working complex policy into clear submissions for ministers. The Durham degree gave a me a head start in both!
Find out more about the courses the School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers.
Find out more about how and where to study abroad as part of our undergraduate programmes.
Join us for our next undergraduate open days and find out about the eight languages you can study.
Find out more about the financial support that is available for eligible undergraduate students.
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