Graduate Destinations
How does a degree in the Languages and Cultures of Africa help with my career?
The department of Languages and Cultures of Africa equips students with competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and public sectors including written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.
Who do graduates work for?
SOAS Languages and Cultures of Africa graduates have gone on to employment in a range of professional roles in both business and public sectors, such as national governments in many parts of the world, international organisations and development agencies, educational and cultural establishments, non-governmental organisations, and academia, various United Nations organisations, publishing and media organisations.
Destination of 2017 graduates (Undergraduates)
All undergraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling.

Example employers
AMP Globe | Projects Abroad |
BBC World | Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation |
CAFOD | The Fostering Network |
Edelman | Ubongo Kids |
EY | University of Exeter |
Example occupations
Analyst in Environmental Finance | Parliamentary Assistant |
Assistant Account Executive | Project Manager |
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) | Freelance TV Producer |
Civil Servant | Self-Employed Swahili Teacher / Bi-Lingual Script Writer |
Events and Communications Co-Ordinator | Volunteer Co-Ordinator |
Destination of 2017 graduates (Postgraduates)
All postgraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling.

Example employers
British Retail Consortium |
The International New York Times |
Mexican Government Department |
International Alert |
Interpeace |
Example occupations
Anthropology and Linguistics Researcher |
Finance Manager |
Lecturer |
Programme Assistant |
Research Officer |
What do Graduates do?
Job Profiles and Careers Information
- Occupational profiles for 600 career areas on Prospects
- Postgraduate study information and database on Prospects
- For more information about careers, visit Careers Tagged
Relevant Links
- Chatham House – One of the world’s leading think tanks analysing international issues
- GCHQ – The UK government’s intelligence and security organisation
- Interims for Development – A UK based company providing a range of Human Resources, Training, employment and capacity building services for Africa
- Africa Practice – A management consultancy with an Africa focus
- Find a Job in Africa – Online jobs board for African countries
- Royal African Society – Jobs, events and links in Africa
- Mbendi – Global information resource for business including company listings
- Devdir - Directory of Development Organisations in Africa
- Africa Guide – Vacancy links, voluntary work and useful information about working in Africa
- Wango – List of Development organisations by country
- Relief Web – Vacancy search by country
- Idealist – Search for NGOs by country and sector
- Global Career Company – Career opportunities in Africa for internationally orientated African graduates and professionals
- Afford UK – UK charity which connects UK based African organisations with mainland African civil society organisations
- Africa Trust – Not-for-profit organisation with volunteer programmes in Africa
- African Medical and Research Foundation – Largest health development organisation in Africa
- Aventure – Gap year projects in Africa
- Standard Chartered – Commercial banking opportunities in South Africa