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The University of Southampton
Humanities

Careers & Employability

Whatever career path you decide to follow, you will be able to move on with a wealth of skills and a real competitive edge. Where you choose to study is of key significance for your future career options.

A careers fair at the University of Southampton
Postgraduate careers

Whether you want to pursue an academic career or follow a path in business or other sectors, undertaking postgraduate education that develops your personal and professional skills will give you the edge.

Postgraduate study at the University of Southampton will enable you to push the boundaries of knowledge in your chosen field and make a real contribution to your subject. 

Whatever your situation, the Career and Employability Service offers a wide range of services and support for postgraduate students. Visit the Careers and Employability Service website for more details.

Humanities postgraduates meet recruiters to discuss career opportunities
Career Destinations day

Your employability

Engaging in postgraduate study in any of the Humanities courses at Southampton is rewarding, challenging, and the ultimate path to intellectual independence. You will study in a small and supportive network and work with leading academics in your chosen field, making it the ideal environment to begin building your professional career.

There is a wealth of postgraduate opportunities available, all of which will build significantly on the skills gained in your first degree. Many students choose a Master's or a Doctorate with the aim to pursue their academic interests as a career, either as a researcher, lecturer or as in many cases, both.

You also may opt for postgraduate study simply because you want to specialise in an area that you are interested in. If you pursue further study for interest and not a specific occupation afterwards, you will still have the the tools to forge a successful career. Employers will look favourably on a Master's or a PhD graduate for their enhanced time-management, research and commitment to learning.

Careers options

Over a third of the Southampton 2011 Humanities Postgraduate cohort entered the Education sector, signalling the popularity of teaching amongst Postgraduates. This is often spurred on by students engaging in part-time teaching alongside their studies.

Other career choices span investment bankers, journalists, museum curators, retail managers, engineers and property developers. Whichever career you choose, the advanced skills you have gained from your Postgraduate degree will accompany you throughout your life with whatever career decisions you make.  

Humanities careers support

Humanities works with the Careers and Employability Service to develop opportunities for our postgraduate students.

Through events such as our annual Postgraduate career day we explore the pathways available to those with higher degrees in Humanities from postgraduate recruiters such as IBM, to local and national government, from the BBC to the EU. The additional skills acquired through a Master's or PhD in one of our disciplines can take you where you want to go.

 

 

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When the PhD is over, I’m hoping to use the skills I’ve learned through work and study in an area such as heritage consultancy.

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