Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Employability

It is clear that the skills demanded by a modern economy overlap strongly with those developed by a degree in the humanities or social sciences - to mention only a few, these shared skills include the ability to take in and comprehend complex data, to apply critical thinking, and to express yourself clearly, all within time constraints managed by you.  In the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, no matter what programme you follow, you will benefit from a outward-facing element that helps you understand and express this overlap to potential employers. 

Our courses include vocationally-directed degrees, such as BA Journalism and PGCEs in several subjects; our School of Languages and Area Studies is one of the largest centres in the country for modern foreign languages, which are "central to the [European] Union's effort to develop a more dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy, and to increase the number and improve the quality of jobs available" (according to the Lisbon strategy, 2000).

Employability - university-wide

All undergraduate and postgraduate students are welcomed by the University's Purple Door group, where employment advice and opportunities are available.  The Department of Employability oversees the university's Personal Development Programme (PDP) framework, which is designed to help Portsmouth students develop their career management skills alongside their academic work, with access to relevant banks of knowledge.

Where could it take me?

Recent FHSS graduates have taken on roles in industries including:

  • Education and training (policy, teaching);
  • Police, Probation, Prisons, Youth justice and Forensics;
  • Media, Journalism, Publishing, Communications and Public Relations;
  • Local, national, European government and politics;
  • Social and community work (voluntary sector, charities);
  • Heritage, Libraries, Museums and Archives;
  • Journalism;
  • Research (government, pressure groups, think tanks, companies, charities, criminal justice sector);
  • Teaching and lecturing (schools, colleges, Universities)
  • Health care and health promotion;
  • HR and Personnel;
  • Advertising and marketing; and
  • Financial services, insurance etc.

Several of our alumni have also gone into academic research in their chosen field.

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead is a series of booklets from the University outlining the career prospects available in each degree family. Relevant issues for FHSS are: