Careers
At The University of Manchester, Social Sciences students receive dedicated careers support to help them develop employability skills, gain work experience and prepare for graduate careers. Through internships, volunteering, leadership programmes, employer events and personalised careers advice, students can build the skills and experience needed for success in today's job market.
Whether you are interested in research, public policy, business, charities, government, education or international organisations, our careers and employability services can help you achieve your career goals.
Inclusive careers support for every student in the School of Social Sciences
We are committed to ensuring that you can access opportunities to develop your career potential, regardless of your background, identity or previous experience.
Our careers and employability support aims to be inclusive and accessible, recognising that everyone comes to university with different aspirations, experiences and networks. Whether you're the first in your family to go to university; an international or mature student; a disabled student; balancing study with paid work or caring responsibilities; or looking to change direction, you can access one-to-one guidance and advice relevant to your circumstances throughout your studies and for two years after you graduate.
We work to create an inclusive environment in which you can build confidence, explore opportunities and develop the skills that employers value.
Our goal is for you to graduate with the knowledge, skills, experiences and confidence to take the next step, whatever direction you choose.
What support is available for international students?
You can access careers guidance, employability resources and opportunities designed to help you develop skills, gain experience and explore career options in the UK and internationally. Find out more on the Careers Service pages for international students.
How does the School support students from diverse backgrounds?
Whatever your background, you can access dedicated careers advice, one-to-one guidance and opportunities to help you develop confidence and achieve your career ambitions. Find out more on the Careers Services equality, diversity and future careers pages.
Explore the School of Social Sciences careers, employability and volunteering page.
School of Social Sciences Careers and Employability Conference
An annual School of Social Sciences (SoSS) conference helps students develop the skills, knowledge and professional networks needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
Through expert talks, employer insights and careers-focused sessions, students gain a deeper understanding of the skills and attributes employers are looking for in graduates.
The conference is co-created with students through student societies and provides valuable opportunities to network with successful alumni, allowing students to build professional connections, explore different career pathways and learn from real-world experiences.
What do attendees gain from attending the employability conference?
- Practical advice;
- Actionable career tips
- Greater confidence in their future career prospects
In addition, the conference features tailored workshops for international students, offering guidance on graduate careers, employability, networking and navigating the job market.
Student feedback
- "An incredible opportunity to network and hone my leadership skills. I especially enjoyed working with the team from the SoSS to understand logistics etc for the event."
- “I attended the International students in the job market session. The alumni sessions were incredible and definitely worthwhile.”
The Manchester Q-Step Centre
We pull together expertise from across Sociology, Politics, Social Anthropology, Philosophy, Criminology and Linguistics at the Q-Step Centre, to prepare quantitatively trained students for the labour market or a career in research. It also gives you the opportunity to apply for a paid summer internship.
The Careers Service
All students and recent graduates at the University have access to our award-winning careers service.
Take advantage of:
- Access to books, journals, guides and psychometric tests.
- Explore job and career options.
- Group sessions with careers staff, experts and employers.
- Help with CV writing, application advice and quick tips.
- One-to-one careers advice.
- Pre-bookable appointments to discuss career planning.
- Practice interviews.
Manchester Leadership Programme
The Manchester Leadership programme helps you understand the importance of leadership through hands-on community activities, volunteer work and academic events.
You benefit from:
- Increased confidence in your written communication and analytical skills.
- Insight into the key challenges facing 21st-century society.
- Learning the importance of promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability.
- Meeting and working with students from across the University.
- Skills that employers look for, such as team working, debating, influencing and project management.
Volunteering, Work Experience and Community Engagement
We are the only university in the UK to have social responsibility as a core goal. That's why we provide all of you the chance to make a difference through different volunteering opportunities, such as:
- Stellify - gain a prestigious award, tackle issues of importance and contribute to local and global communities.
- Get involved in volunteering opportunities, from charity work to cultural projects.
- Take part in the Student's Union community and fundraising groups.
Alumni career journeys
Explore the diverse career paths open to Social Sciences graduates. In these alumni videos, graduates from our Social Anthropology courses share how the skills developed during their degrees support them in their current roles. From cultural awareness and critical-thinking to problem solving, discover how a Social Sciences degree can prepare you for graduate careers across a wide range of sectors.
Joss Bennett, Environmental Consultant, BA Social Anthropology (2014-2018)
Remi Lawrence-Warren Charity Programme Coordinator - Envision, BA Social Anthropology (2021-2024)
Explore the career pathways available across our Social Sciences subjects: