Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Career Paths

Graduates from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures are highly sought after by employers. Studying Modern Languages or Comparative Literature provides you with the knowledge, attributes, skills and experience needed to thrive in a wide range of careers, including law, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance, teaching, government and civil service, international development, heritage, arts management, and many more.

Our degree programmes train you in advanced communication, analytical and critical thinking skills, while also developing your intercultural agility, enabling you to work effectively across different cultures and countries. These skills are particularly valued by employers and are central to many professions. The opportunity to spend a year or a semester abroad as part of your degree significantly enhances your employability: according to the Universities UK ‘Gone Global’ report (2018), graduates who have undertaken a placement abroad during their studies are 10% more likely to be in graduate jobs* and 7% higher wage earners* than their non-mobile peers (*six months after graduation).

As a student in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, you take part in an integrated programme of careers workshops and one-to-one support through the course of your degree, equipping you with the tools needed to achieve your career goals.

Find out more about our graduates and discover their career journeys below.

Graduate stories: German language

Aqib Hossain - BA German and Management

Aqib Hossain

'After completing my BA in German and Management from King's in 2022, I joined the Boston Consulting Group. As a strategy consultant, I have already worked on shaping the strategy of national energy firms or even multinational corporations specializing in luxury goods. Studying a dual degree in German and Management taught me to cross-apply insights and knowledge between different topics. Likewise, German modules such as Translation or Arthurian Romance enabled me to develop my analytical skills, which I can now apply to design complex strategy recommendations for my clients. During my dissertation, I thoroughly enjoyed researching the impact of COVID-19 on German SMEs, which also allowed me to explore the business side of the degree. Ultimately, the degree helped me to excel in my professional voyage by providing a toolkit for problem-solving, creative thinking and communication.'

Lucy Robinson – BA History and German

'After graduating in German and History, I headed back to Berlin where I'd completed my Erasmus year. Here I found an entry-level paid internship in Digital Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation working in-house in the Berlin start-up scene. Two years later I moved to London to work agency-side. I'm now Leeds-based at a leading digital agency Journey Further, working with a wide range of interesting clients and managing a team and our Grad Scheme. SEO is a career I wouldn't have found without my German degree and I also regularly get to use my language skills for German clients. It's also a booming industry where a variety of skills and backgrounds is hugely beneficial, and there are plenty of free online resources to learn the skills needed to succeed.'

Jennifer Starnes - BA German

'Since graduating from King’s with a BA in German, I have worked in a variety of roles within educational settings, including in University Admissions roles as well as teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults. I am now pursuing my dream of becoming an Elementary School teacher, after having moved to the US. I constantly draw upon the knowledge and skills I gained at King’s about language acquisition and engaging with different customs and cultures to provide the best possible learning environment for my students. I look back on my time spent in the German Department at King’s with huge fondness and gratitude. The program provided a space for intellectual thought and discussion at a depth that stretched me academically and instilled in me a love for the language, literature, and culture of Germany.'

Sabrina Klein – BA French and German

'After graduating from King's with a BA in French and German, I went on to complete an MA in European Literature at Cambridge University. I then decided to pursue a career in law, completing a training contract and qualifying into the project finance team at a law firm in London. I recently moved to the Netherlands where I work for FMO - The Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank. Together with colleagues representing over fifty nationalities, I work on projects bringing renewable energy solutions to developing countries. Working with people across the globe, language skills are of course really important in the organisation (and closer to home, I am using my German skills to get up to speed with Dutch!).'

Career Paths

Graduate stories: German language

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Graduate stories: German language