About Language and Culture

A Language and Culture degree equips you with the skills needed to communicate effectively across trans-cultural settings. This subject can be pursued at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate level.  This field mostly focuses on the cultural perceptions of race, gender, sexuality, power and politics, ethnicity, religion and representation in different areas around the world. Students also deal with learning about the structure, grammar and linguistics of different languages.

　　

Is studying Language and Culture right for me? 

Studying Language and Culture will infuse a student with the qualities of patience, creativity, mental flexibility, good memorisation skills, open-mindedness and a love for travel. It also sharpens your cognitive processes and enables you to communicate with people from other countries in a better way while also enjoying a more immersive experience in their cultural setup. If you desire to work in a culturally diverse setting, then this degree can lead you to along exciting career paths.

　　

Study options and costs 

　　A bachelor’s degree in Language and Culture will is 4 years in duration. The degree would focus on learning the rudiments of culture and language during the first year and increase in conceptual complexity in subsequent years. The general coursework includes the following core subjects: Cultural Anthropology, Fundamentals of Speech and Linguistics, Music Appreciation, Global Literature, Human Nature and Values, World Regional Geography, Transcultural Digital Literacies, Global Health and Nutrition, Composition and History of Foreign Languages, and Grammatical Analysis. Languages like Arabic, French, Dutch, ancient Greek, German and Spanish may be chosen as electives. The cost of this programme in the UK is around $30,000 per year for overseas students.

　　This degree can also be pursued at the master’s level. The duration of this programme is 2 years. At this level, students focus on a specific track of study which culminates with a thesis. Students can choose from any of the following core courses: Foreign Language Morphology and Phonetics, Syntax and Semantics of Language, Ancient Language Literature, Socio-Linguistics, Culture and Society of China, Japan, East Africa, South Asia, Britain and Middle East. The average cost of this degree in the US is around $30,000 per year for overseas students.

　　This subject can also be studied at the doctoral level, if the student wishes to pursue a research-based field. The duration of this programme is 3 to 5 years and it culminates with the submission of a doctoral dissertation. Students may specialise in Applied Linguistics, French, German, Spanish and Trans-Cultural Studies. The specialisation in Trans-Cultural Studies investigates the complexity and interaction of modern cultures that are represented in the linguistic and geographical areas studied by faculty in the linguistics, languages and culture departments. The cost of a doctorate in this subject is $23,700 per year in the UK for international students.

　　

Future outlook 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a Language and Culture degree have a broad spectrum of careers and fields to choose from. The estimated total number of people employed in the US with this degree are 1,070,740. The versatility of this degree and the skills learned by it ensure a fruitful and sustainable career in any occupation in education, management, interpretation and translation.

　　

Career pathways for Language and Culture graduates

　　

Cultural Director

　　A cultural director is a managerial role that oversees an organisation’s culture, policies, goals and budgeting that go into creating and improving it. A language major can apply their cultural awareness and communication skills alongside years of management experience to lead in this role. Their average salary in the US is $78,600 per year.

　　

Interpreter/Translator 

　　These professionals convey information from language to another. They are mostly popular with tourists as tour guides who help in basic translation. However, translators maybe employed by a variety of governmental and private organisations to help them translate material into their indigenous language. Language and Culture majors must be adept in both the languages involved to apply for this position. Their average salary in the US is $49,110 per year.

　　

Post-secondary Teacher 

　　Post-secondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They mostly cater to students in colleges or universities. Language and Culture studies graduates not only benefit from their deep reservoir of knowledge regarding cultural studies and language but also their adeptness in communication skills to engage students. Their average salary in the US is $79,640 per year.

　　

Management Analyst

 

　　A management analyst recommends ways to improve an organisation’s efficiency. A degree in Language and Culture enables them to proficiently communicate with the employees and assess the culture of the workplace. Their average salary in the US is $93,000 per year.