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The University of Southampton
PhilosophyPart of 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

"The great virtue of philosophy is that it teaches you not what to think, but how to think - philosophy is, in commercial jargon, the ultimate 'transferable work skill' - and it could nowadays by the passport to a successful, varied career." (The Times, 15/08/98)

Philosophy is the only subject which consistently seeks answers to ultimate questions. It involves a critical examination of our most fundamental beliefs about truth and reality, right and wrong. So, although, in this sense, not a vocational subject such as medicine or law, philosophy teaches you to think critically and to express yourself clearly; to challenge common assumptions; to weigh up the pros and cons of a position; to see through empty rhetoric; to develop mental flexibility and agility and thus provides you with some of the most fundamental skills necessary for succeeding in any job.

Postgraduate study in philosophy at Southampton provides the opportunity to regularly work with universal leaders in the field. Many Masters or PhD students are looking to pursue academia as a career and postgraduate study at Southampton offers a wealth of opportunities to network with fellow academics, both within the University and through conferences throughout the country.

If you are moving on to further study simply because you want to pursue your interests further or perhaps because you want to specialise in a niche field, your postgraduate degree will enhance your employability in preparation for a career after you graduate. Employers will look favourably on a Master's or PhD graduate for their increased time-management, research skills and commitment to learning.

Career options

Many of our Postgraduates have gone on to academic careers, researching and teaching in Philosophy at third level, or to other teaching jobs. As well as developing expertise in the field, our Postgraduates often gain valuable experience by engaging in part-time teaching alongside their studies, lecturing to undergraduates and leading classroom sessions with international students."

Our Philosophy graduates have gone on to follow a broad range of career paths, and are now in positions such as advertising account executive, PR officer, accountant, academic, festival coordinator, credit controller, project manager, editor, barrister, website editor, market analyst, marketing manager, recruitment manager, archaeologist, TV presenter, army officer, librarian, museum curator, music teacher, orchestral manager, auditor, teacher, police officer, events manager, quantity surveyor, vocal coach, civil servant, risk manager, TEFL teacher, journalist, translator, bilingual researcher, paralegal, political researcher, human resources manager, company director and retail manager.

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 the humanities with postgraduate recruiters such as IBM, local and national government, the BBC and the EU. The additional skills acquired through a masters or PhD in one of our disciplines can take you where you want to go.

 

 

Valued by employers

The Times Higher Education reports that employers recognise the importance of the critical skills developed by the study of philosophy.   

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