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 2015 graduates (Undergraduates)

All undergraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation (so for undergraduate students this is in January) to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling. We find out this data in the summer, so here is the latest information from the 15 known destinations of the 2015 UK, EU and International graduates of single and joint honours studies within the department.

Example employers

Example occupations

Destination of 2015 graduates (Postgraduates)

All postgraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation (so for postgraduate students this is in April) to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling. This data is added to the Undergraduate survey the following January and we receive the data in the summer (i.e. approximately 18 months after graduation).

There were insufficient numbers for this survey, however see below for examples of destinations of previous postgraduates.

Example employers

Example occupations

What do Graduates do?

• LinkedIn Alumni
• Prospects: What do graduates do
• What London 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