Careers and Employability
Our BA in English is well-designed to equip you with a array of valuable skills and attributes that align with the evolving needs of the Saudi job market. Graduates of our program have gone on to pursue a wide variety of rewarding careers across the public and private sectors, including roles in education, journalism, management, marketing, and media. Many have also progressed to postgraduate study, while others have gone on to pursue academic careers.
The program's two specialized tracks will give you the option of gaining comprehensive knowledge and an integrated understanding of your chosen field of specialization and will provide you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained. Moreover, the curriculum is essentially designed to foster creativity, help develop digital literacy, and enhance your research and problem-solving skills. The language skill courses will help develop your communication skills, both written and spoken, while the Anglo-cultural and literary content will improve your knowledge of global literatures and cultures.
The advanced coursework is tailored to develop independent research and critical thinking skills, as well as to reinforce academic and professional integrity – attributes that are essential for self-directed, lifelong learning. Individualized and collaborative course tasks and research projects were designed with the purpose of fostering independence and team-working skills.
Finally, in keeping with Umm Al-Qura University's degree requirement of community service (including Hajj and Umrah), our BA in English program is uniquely designed to provide students with the necessary linguistic and cultural competencies. Through targeted language training, you will develop the proficiency to effectively navigate any language barriers you may encounter. Just as importantly, the curriculum will equip you with the cultural awareness, sensitivity, and adaptability to excel during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. By seamlessly integrating these hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, the program will empower you to transition fluidly from the theoretical mastery of the classroom to the practical application of your skills in real-world settings. This emphasis on praxis cements the holistic, transformative nature of an Umm Al-Qura education, producing graduates who are not only academically accomplished, but also culturally competent global citizens.
The new BA program was developed in accordance with the Kingdom’s promising Vision 2030 and with the aim of fulfilling the objectives of the newly established Ministry of Culture. Graduates of the new program can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, including:
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Roles supporting the Hajj and Umrah industry: such as assisting the Ministry of Hajj and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in serving pilgrims; working in tawaf institutions and international Umrah companies; organizing religious conferences and events; offering religious guidance; and contributing to crowd management.
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Roles in the growing Saudi tourism sector, providing translation and cultural mediation services.
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Media and journalism positions, including broadcasting and translating content.
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Careers in literature, theater, and filmmaking, leveraging their literary and translation expertise.
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Jobs in the diplomatic field, requiring advanced English proficiency and an in-depth cultural understanding of the countries that speak the language.
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Positions at international companies and businesses, where strong communication and critical thinking skills are required.
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Work at publishing and translation houses, including linguistic proofreading and editing.
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Government and private sector jobs requiring English fluency and cross-cultural competence.
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Careers as speech and language therapists in clinics and schools.
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Roles in marketing and advertising, utilizing skills in discourse analysis and writing.
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Teaching foreign languages in public-school education and higher education institutions.