As you’ll see from our case studies, languages can be a vital asset when working in central government departments, such as the Foreign Office or the Ministry of Defense. Both at home and abroad, staff who are aware of and sensitive to cultural differences, and who can conduct policy work in foreign languages, are in high demand. Some organisations, such as GCHQ and MI6, will recruit linguists specifically, so you could end up using your language skills to help combat organised international crime and threats to national security. In other departments, you may be posted abroad, in which case speaking the language of locals would not only enhance your career, but also your day-to-day experience in that country.

Useful links

European Fast Stream

This is an accelerated training and development graduate programme for people who want to work for one of the EU institutions and become an EU civil servant. You’ll need French or German to at least A-Level standard and will take intensive language courses throughout the two-year programme to develop these languages. 

MI6

The Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) provides the British Government with a global covert capability to promote and defend the national security and economic well-being of the United Kingdom. Language specialists pay a crucial role in helping the agency collect intelligence from all over the world in many different languages and dialects.