School of Social Sciences and Humanities

This page takes you to tailored information and resources to explore the career options available related to our undergraduate degree programmes. However, many of these resources will also be useful for Master's Students and Doctoral Researchers in these subject areas. For information on a wider range of job roles and professions, including careers for which your specific degree subject is not necessarily required, you can also look at the Prospects and TargetJobs websites. 

  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • Critical thinking and critical analysis
  • The ability to work to a brief and meet deadlines
  • Teamwork and working collaboratively
  • A broad commercial and cultural awareness of the media and creative industries;
  • A flexible, creative and independent approach to tasks
  • Initiation and development of creative work in writing, audio-visual or other electronic media
  • Research skills
  • Strong IT skills

Approximately 60% of graduate roles are open to all disciplines. The links below are specific to Communication and Media. 

Careers directly related to your degree:

Careers where your degree would be useful:

You can also look at other course pages depending on other modules you have taken and/or are interested in.

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The Communication and Media department has the following Postgraduate Taught Master's programmes that you can apply to:

You can also study for a research degree including a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or MPhil (Master of Philosophy). Further information can be found on the Department webpages.

Further study elsewhere:

Some areas of interest include:

To explore further master's courses, please go to Find a Masters.com or Postgraduate Search.

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Argos, Bamboo PR, Blue Eskimo, Cardiff City Football Club, Condé Nast,  Delloitte,  DFDS, Dyson, HSBC, Johnson and Johnson, LCFC, REED Recruitment, Sports Marketing Group, Starsight Communications, Swipe Right PR, The Financial Times, Tomorrow TTH, Top Banana, Warner Bros., WePlay

Roles included:

Account Manager, Analyst Relations Manager, Brand Campaign Manager, Communications Executive, Communications Graduate, Digital Marketing Executive, Fashion PR Assistant, International Publicity Assistant, Journalist, Marketing Officer, Media Buyer, Podcast Producer, PR Executive, Script Writer, Social Media Manager, UX Designer.

Further study included:

MA Creative Writing, MSc Information Management and Business Technology, MSc Marketing, MA Advertising and Marketing, MSc Child Development, MA Law, MA Media and Public Relations, PGCE Secondary Education.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Websites:

Organisations with graduate schemes directly related to Communication and Media:

Many large organisations have a communications, PR and/or marketing related graduate schemes that you can apply for.

If you are looking for a career in communication and media, it’s important to remember there are many small and medium sized companies within this sector who will employ graduates, so it’s important to do your research and you could apply to them directly. Ask us for advice on how to do this if you are not sure.

Communication and Media specific websites:

 Publishing / The book trade

  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • Critical thinking
  • Generating and evaluating evidence
  • Making reasoned arguments and ethical judgments
  • Organising work and meeting deadlines
  • Report writing
  • Researching, judging and evaluating complex information and evidence
  • Working collaboratively
  • Critical analysis
  • Research skills
  • Strong IT skills
  • Applying sociological theory to society's organisations, including schools, hospitals and offices
  • Appreciating the complexity and diversity of social situations;
  • Developing opinions and new ideas on societal issues
  • Knowledge and understanding of research methods, analysis and statistical techniques
  • Making reasoned arguments
  • Relating sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy
  • The ability to understand, scrutinise and re-assess common perceptions of the social world

Approximately 60% of graduate roles are open to all disciplines. The links below are specific to Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy students and graduates.  

Careers directly related to Criminology:

Careers directly related to Sociology and Social Policy:

Careers where your degree would be useful:

You can also look at other course pages depending on other modules you have taken and/or are interested in.

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy department has several Postgraduate Taught Master's programmes you can apply to. You can also study for a research degree including a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or MPhil (Master of Philosophy). Further information can be found on the Department webpages.

Further study elsewhere:

To explore further study please go to www.findamasters.com. In addition, job profiles on www.prospects.ac.uk will also provide information on postgraduate qualifications needed for specific occupations.

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Atos, Barclays, Boots, Catch 22, Care UK, Children Services, Deloitte, Department for Work and Pensions, Essex Police, Explore Learning, Ford Motor Company, Grant Thornton, Hays Recruitment, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, The Home Office, Homes England, Leicestershire Police, Local Government, Mental Health First Aid England, Ministry of Justice, M&S, National Crime Agency, NHS, Santander, Sky, Transport for London, Warner Bros UK, Women’s Aid.

Roles included:

Administrator, Account Executive, Court Administrator, Credit Risk Analyst, Customs Analyst, Digital Strategy Intern, Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer, Employment Support Worker, External Communications Coordinator, Human Resources Graduate, Intelligence Officer, Market Research Analyst, Police Officer, Policy Officer, Prison Officer, Recruitment Consultant, Regional Account Manager, Resettlement Case Manager, Social Researcher, Social Worker, Support Worker, User Experience Executive, Youth Offending Team Case Manager.

Further study included:

MA Creative Writing, MSc Information Management and Business Technology, MSc Marketing, MA Advertising and Marketing, MSc Child Development, MA Law, MA Media and Public Relations, PGCE Secondary Education.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Websites:

Have you considered a career in Law? You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates. Jobs in law utilise many of the skills social sciences and humanities students have. For further information please see the Prospects website and LawCareers.Net hub for non-Law students.

Working in the Civil Service is also of interest to many CSSP graduates. Find out more using Bright Network's Civil Service guide and Prospects' Civil Service Fast Stream job profile to begin your research into this area.

Organisations with graduate schemes directly related to Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy:

Areas with Criminology and Social Policy related jobs:

Sociology specific websites:

Jobs boards for entry level roles:

  • Ability to work independently.
  • Articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories.
  • Command a broad range of vocabulary and critical terminology.
  • Convey meaning precisely and pick out the essential points from texts.
  • Develop skills in critical reasoning and analysis.
  • Develop time management skills, for example, when meeting essay deadlines;
  • Effectively convey arguments and opinions and encourage independent and creative thought.
  • Gain a good understanding of the uses of information technology and develop a range of IT skills.
  • Have tolerance of ambiguity and of others’ opinions.
  • Lead and participate in discussions and have confidence in your own opinions.
  • Plan and research written and practical work.
  • Use judgment when weighing up different options and alternative perspectives.
  • Work towards a solution using negotiation skills.
  • Work with others when presenting ideas, information and practical work.

Careers directly related to your degree:

Graduates from creative degrees often have many transferable skills which can be applicable to a wide variety of jobs and industries, not just the creative sector.

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The School of Social Sciences and Humanties offers a portfolio of taught postgraduate programmes that enable intellectual and creative development and foster transferable and marketable skills, enhancing employment possibilities in a range of fields including art, design, writing, publishing, arts administration and curation.

The School also offers an exciting interdisciplinary research environment. Our research students are supported by our expert staff who have a diverse range of research interests and experience. Becoming a postgraduate research student in the School allows you to have the opportunity to work within an informal and friendly environment, whilst also becoming part of an innovative research community.

Further study elsewhere:

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Beat Media Group, Bloomsbury Professional, Brookstreet Support Services, FDM Group, Independent Talent Group London Sports, The Mark Allen Group, Oxford University Press, Reach plc., Rolls Royce, Scholastic, Sky, Sweaty Betty,
Twinkl, The Oracle Group, Waitrose.

Roles included:

Assistant for Film Agent, Bid Writer, Campaign Executive, Charity and Marketing Manager, Content Writer, Digital Copywriter, Editorial Associate, HR Graduate, Internal Communications Advisor, Learning Support Assistant, Legal Assistant, Management Trainee, Marketing Associate, Media Executive, Online Content Executive, Publishing Manager, PR Executive, Social Media Executive, Sports Journalist, Trainee Reporter, Web Content Author.

Further study included:

GDL Law, MA in Book Culture, MA English Literary Studies, MA Media and Cultural Analysis, MA in Medieval Studies, MA in Speech and Language Therapy, PGCE Primary Education, PGCE Secondary English, PHD English Language, SCITT Secondary English.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Websites:

Have you considered a career in Law? You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates. Jobs in law utilise many of the skills social sciences and humanities students have. For further information please see the Prospects website  and the comprehensive guide from lawcareers.net on becoming a lawyer as a non-law student.

Working in the Civil Service is also of interest to many English graduates. Visit the Prospects website to begin your research into this area.

There are a wide range of resources available to you to search for placement, internship and work experience opportunities.

Many opportunities are advertised on Target Connect, the University’s online vacancy system.

Resources related to your degree

Creative Industries

Media

Marketing

 Publishing / the book trade

  • Ability to think and work independently, managing own workload and multiple deadlines
  • Critical thinking and interpretive skills
  • The ability to work collaborate and work within a team
  • IT skills including using specialised software
  • Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally to develop and sustain an argument in report writing and presentations
  • Research and data collection skills
  • Analytical skills and the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions
  • Numerical skills

Geography is the spatial science; helping us all to better understand the world’s people, places and environments and the interactions between them – whether at the local, national or global scales.” Dr Rita Gardner CBE, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Given that Geography is such a broad subject, the career opportunities are vast. The following sectors are often appealing to Geography graduates:

The Royal Geographical Society has an excellent resource detailing career paths with Geography including articles and webinars: Choose a career with Geography 

The study of Geography will give you a variety of transferable skills which will be relevant to many roles. Don’t forget 60% of graduate roles are open to all disciplines.

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The Geography Department have several Postgraduate Taught Master's programmes you can apply to. You can also study for a research degree including a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or MPhil (Master of Philosophy). Further information can be found on the Department webpages.

Further study elsewhere:

To explore further master's courses, please go to Find a Masters.com

The Royal Geographical Society have created a valuable resource on starting a career in research with a PhD in Geography.

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Allianz, ASOS, Boots, Centrica Plc, Civil Service, Deloitte, Environment Agency, E.on, Essex and Sussex Water, GSK, Hitachi Capital, KPMG, Local Government, M&S, Mazars, Office for National Statistics, Save the Children International, Southern Water, UK Centre For Ecology & Hydrology and Unilever.

Roles included:

Accountant, Air Quality Improvement Officer, Assistant Cost Manager, Audit Associate, Business Development Coordinator, Commercial Marketing Graduate, Environment Officer, Environmental Management Associate, GIS Analyst, Graduate Flood Modeller, Graduate Transport Planner, Graduate Town Planner, Media Analyst, Planning and Enforcement Officer, PR Account Executive, Social Researcher, Sustainability Consultant, Technology Graduate.

Further study included:

MSc Management, MSc Economics and International Business, MSc Globalisation and Cities, MSc Marketing, PGCE Secondary Education, MSc Construction Project Management, MSc Environment Politics and Society.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Websites:

Have you considered a career in Law? You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates. Jobs in law utilise many of the skills social sciences and humanities students have. For further information please see the Prospects website and LawCareers.Net hub for non-Law students.

Working in the Civil Service is also of interest to many Geography graduates. Find out more using Bright Network's Civil Service guide and Prospects' Civil Service Fast Stream job profile to begin your research into this area.

Professional bodies, sector and labour market information (LMI):

Organisations with graduate schemes directly related to Geography:

Geography specific websites:

Geography is a broad subject. Below are some links to job areas you may be interested in. If you would like to discuss your plans, please book an appointment.

Environmental roles

    Consider speculative applications to small organisations in the private sector.

    See Environmental Agency and Prospects Environmental section to look for vacancy sources.

    Public Sector

    Charity Roles

    There are a wide range of roles in this sector including environmental roles, communications, research, support worker.

    International Development

    This is a broad area which can include human rights, disaster preparedness, education, migration and environment.

    Politics

    Property and Construction

    Business Roles

    The job profiles below provide information on what roles involve, what skills and experience are required and where to search for vacancies.

    For general placement and graduate websites, please see our Get Placements, Internships and Graduates Roles pages.

    • Ability to construct an argument and communicate findings in a clear and persuasive manner, both orally and in writing
    • Ability to discuss ideas in groups, and to negotiate, question and summarise
    • Ability to work without direct supervision and manage time and priorities effectively
    • Appreciation of the different factors that influence the activities of groups and individuals in society
    • Capacity to think objectively and approach problems and new situations with an open mind
    • Critical reasoning and analytical skills, including the capacity for solving problems and thinking creatively
    • Intellectual rigour and independence, including the ability to conduct detailed research
    • Excellent written and oratory skills
    • Intellectual independence and autonomy
    • Team working skills

    Approximately 60% of graduate roles are open to all disciplines. The links below are specific to International Relations, Politics and History. 

    Careers directly related to your International Relations and Politics degree:

    Careers directly related to your History degree:

    Careers where your degree would be useful:

    You can also look at other course pages depending on other modules you have taken and/or are interested in.

    Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

    For History degrees, you can study for a research degree including a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or MPhil (Master of Philosophy). Further information can be found on the Department webpages.

    Please visit the Politics, History and International Relations department webpage for details on postgraduate further study.

    Further study elsewhere:

    To explore further study please go to www.findamasters.com. In addition, job profiles on www.prospects.ac.uk will also provide information on postgraduate qualifications needed for specific occupations.

    History

    Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

    Employers included:

    American Express, BBC, Black Country Living Museum, Civil Service, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, FDM Group, Lloyds, Local Government, Microsoft, Royal Mail, Penguin Random House, Santander, Softcat, Zenith.

    Roles included:

    Account Executive, Archives Assistant, Area Manager, Business Development Executive, Client Executive, Consultant, Customer Supply Chain Manager, Digital Marketing Intern, Financial Consultant, Graduate Analyst, Internal Communications Executive, Ministerial Correspondence Officer, Operations Analyst, Recruitment Consultant, Research Associate, Senior EU Policy Officer, Trainee Auditor.

    Further study included:

    MSc International Financial and Political Relations, MA Global Political Communication, MSc Marketing, PGCE Primary Teaching, MA Middle Eastern Studies, MA History, MA Politics Governance and Public Policy, MSc Security Studies, MPhil Management.

    Politics and International Relations

    Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

    Employers included:

    Amazon, American Express, Atos, BBC, The Cabinet Office, Charityworks, Civil Service, Copper Consultancy, Deloitte, Department for Work and Pensions, Deutsche Bank, EY, FDM Group, Frontline, Grant Thornton, HM Treasury, HSBC, Local Government, McLaren Automotive, Microsoft, Ministry of Defence, Ofcom, Ofgem, Prison and Probation Services, Royal Mail, Softcat, Unicef, Zenith.

    Roles included:

    Account Executive, Area Manager, Business Development Executive, Client Executive, Consultant, Digital Marketing Intern, Graduate Analyst, Ministerial Correspondence Officer, Recruitment Consultant, Research Associate, Trainee Auditor.

    Further study included:

    MSc International Financial and Political Relations, MA Global Political Communication, MSc Marketing, PGCE Primary Teaching, MA Middle Eastern Studies, MA History, MA Politics Governance and Public Policy, MSc Security Studies, MPhil Management.

    Further information

    For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

    Websites:

    Have you considered a career in Law? You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates. Jobs in law utilise many of the skills social sciences and humanities students have. For further information please see the Prospects website and LawCareers.net hub for non-Law students.

    Working in the Civil Service is also of interest to many International Relations, Politics and History graduates, so visit the Prospects website to begin your research into this area.

    History:

    Politics:

    Professional bodies:

    Sector and labour market information (LMI):

     

    History

    Organisations with graduate schemes directly related to History:

    History specific websites:

    Organisations with graduate schemes directly related to Politics and International Relations:

    Politics and International Relations specific websites: