What do Bristol Modern Language graduates do?

Many Modern Languages graduates find employment in jobs where their languages are advantageous but not central to their work. Languages indicate an ‘international’ outlook, capacities and experience useful to most employers in these days of international competition. Few Modern Languages graduates become professional linguists (translators or interpreters). Most of those who do, speak at least two foreign languages and undertake specialist postgraduate training.

Nationally, about 50% of language students go straight into full time employment in the UK – and about 10% find work abroad, mostly in commercial and business areas. Linguists find their way into a wide range of jobs – including banks and other financial institutions, the travel and hospitality business, the media including journalism, advertising, PR, retail, education, charities, international organisations and many others.

Language skills are in short supply and can be used in almost any job. Linguists tend to be good communicators and have other relevant skills including the ability to gather and interpret complex information, good organisational skills and the ability to work well with others. Your year abroad will give you an insight into another culture and show a capacity to adapt to new surroundings.

To see what recent Bristol Modern Languages graduates have done, go to our own Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) statistics.

You can also get in touch with a number of Bristol Modern Languages graduates through our Careers Network. This includes linguists working in such diverse fields as freelance translating, TV production, publishing, finance and travel.

For a general introduction to what you can do with a Languages degree, go to Options with Modern Languages. This gives the picture based on national statistics from all Modern Languages degree courses.


Job sectors and occupations of interest to Modern Language graduates

These are by no means the only potential jobs. You can explore your career preferences more fully by using Prospects Planner, a computer guidance package available online.


These industry insights (produced by AGCAS - the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) may be of particular interest:


Detailed profiles of specific occupations are also available online. Here are just a few:


Careers open to all graduates

About 50% of vacancies advertised for graduates in the UK don't ask for specific degree subjects. Possession of a degree is taken as evidence of intellectual ability. What is more important to the potential employer is the range of transferable skills and experience you can demonstrate. Work experience and relevant postgraduate qualifications may also help make you more attractive.

More information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline can be found in:


Work or study abroad

Working or studying in a country where your degree language is spoken may be an option you wish to consider. For information and links relating to specific countries, try:


Postgraduate Study

In 2009 20% of modern languages graduates went on to further study, research or training in areas including journalism and translating.

If you’re considering further study, you need to think carefully. What are my motivations? How does it fit with my long-term career plans? Is it likely to enhance my employment prospects? At postgraduate level it's possible to study subjects both directly related and unrelated to your first degree. It would be helpful to begin investigating opportunities for postgraduate study early on. When applying for courses, bear in mind there is no central admissions service equivalent to UCAS. There are some specific applications systems, eg for teacher training and social work, but as a general rule, applications should be made directly to the institution concerned.

Go to Why do postgraduate study? for information on what to consider. You can find UK courses via the searchable database on the Graduate Prospects website.

You also need to be aware of the funding situation; there is no guarantee of funding for postgraduate study and it is often easier to obtain a place than finance it. Look at Funding my further study for further details relating to finance and the application process.


Useful links

You will find plenty of links in the ‘I want to work in….’ section of our website, particularly the section on Languages and TEFL.