Where will Humanities lead you?
With a degree from the School of Humanities, you could end up doing just about anything.
Anna Dimitrova
Vice President Student Activities
Dundee University Students Association
Studying European Studies and International relations at the University was one of my wisest choices in life and as all good things in life a coincidence too. It took me just two months to appreciate and discover all the different academic and extra curricular opportunities on offer here. Now, three years later it feels like I could have done so much more. The quality of the course, its contemporary applicability and flexibility to develop your personal interest is what made me feel prepared about my future. After being accepted to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies I received confirmation that my confidence was well routed.
I will be always grateful for the friends I met here and for the irreplaceable education I received at the University of Dundee.
Philip Engelholm
MA (Hons) Philosophy and International Relations
Philip is set to form part of deployment responsible for monitoring a peace treaty between factions from the north and south of Sudan and is upheld as a member of the Danish army on secondment to a UN International Peacekeeping Force.
He decided he wanted to study in Scotland after leaving the army, and applied to Dundee after being impressed by the University's efforts to attract international students and the courses on offer. "The University has done a lot to diversify its student populace by recruiting an ever increasing number from continental Europe. Also, the University enjoys a strong reputation for contemporary European philosophy, something which is very unusual in the UK."
"It has always been in the back of my mind to work in conflict resolution in some way, but didn't know in exactly what context," he said. "Africa is where my main interest lies, and I want to work in areas such as self-determination and constitutional change. Although we'll be part of the army, seconded to the UN, we'll be unarmed. Even though we'll be in uniform, we will work purely to monitor the peace treaty and whether it is being upheld."
I believe that the synergy between my practical military skills and philosophical academic skills will prove invaluable.
Philip is very much looking forward to the experience having already spent two summers working in Africa with a company sub-contracted by the UN to clear land mines in Uganda...
You can read more about Philip's experiences at University and his plans.
Sharon Mars
MA (Hons) American Studies and English
"I've just graduated with a first-class Master of Arts degree in American Studies and English. During my time at Dundee I took the opportunity to study at the University of South Carolina in the United States for a semester. My time spent in the USA added another dimension to my studies, allowing me to more fully appreciate the events I studied because I had visited their locations. Looking to the future, I hope to embark on a career in Public Relations incorporating brand marketing and crisis management. Ultimately, I aim to develop a career which allows me to build on the international knowledge and experience I gained during my studies."
Nora Hanke
MA (Hons) International Relations and Politics
"As I always had an interest in development work I looked into a MA programme which would go into that direction. I found many within Europe which are taught in English and sounded very interesting. However the one I chose in the end takes me all the way to South Africa. The first semester is taught in Oslo, Norway, and the final three semsters are taught in Stellenbosch, near Capetown. At this point I am very excited about my future! I hope to get some connections into development work through the university in Stellenbosch and a more realistic chance of entering the 'real world' in the field I want to work in. "
James Murray
MA (Hons) Transatlantic Studies and International Relations
"Despite my Humanities background, you might be forgiven for thinking that I was actually a graduate of the business school. I was the first ever winner of the Enterprise Gym "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2005. In 2009 I won the Postgraduate School's Dean's Medal for Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurialism" whilst my team was crowned Enterprise Gym "Champion Team of the Year". Since then we have set up our own business, The Student Emporium, supplying students across the UK with, amongst other things, starter kits for university."
Ilze Plavgo
European Studies and International Relations
"I chose to do my undergraduate degree in Scotland in order to gain a wider international outlook and benefit fully from the highly developed Scottish educational system, as well as the breadth of module choice at the University of Dundee. I spent 2007-8 in Universitè Pierre-Mendès France on a year-long ERASMUS exchange - a wonderful experience that helped me develop my language skills and my understanding of the different cultures across Europe. Both universities gave me great insight into the organisation of different international & regional organisations, leading me to Brussels for an internship with the Permanent Representatation of Latvia to the European Union. My next step is to study for an Msc in Public Policy and Human Development, specialising in "Globalisation, Trade and Development", at the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance."
Career Prospects
Now you've seen what some of our graduates are up to, the question is what do YOU want to do?
Still not sure?
If you're still not sure what path you want to go down, take a look online at Prospects.
Careers Advice
You can get free guidance and information on career paths open to you at the University's Careers Service.