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Graduates are:

Employed in a wide range of sectors and roles across the workforce, from financial services to education, social work, the media and creative industries, and possess skills which open up a wide range of options, across the private, public and third sectors.

Able to move between careers over their working life, using their generic skills to adapt to different industries and become successful leaders and managers.

Well placed both to shape the future and to take advantage of the opportunities the future will present.

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Celebrating Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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Celebrating Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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The first overarching study of its kind, this report identified in detail three core skill sets:

communication and collaboration

research and analysis

independence and adaptability

and a range of ancillary skills including:

critical analysis

problem solving

understanding other cultures

It concluded that pursuing SHAPE disciplines delivers core skills essential for future work and wider life

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The British Academy's Skills project has sought to articulate and celebrate the skills gained through studying arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS), and to lead a high-level debate about the value of these skills to the individual, to society and to the economy.

Despite the uncertain future ahead for the economy and labour market, high-skilled jobs will become increasingly essential to guarantee the UK's success. Demand is growing for individuals to be equipped with higher level skills which they can deploy in different contexts, whether in a career which may cross many sectors of employment or within a research community which is increasingly interdisciplinary. Improving the UK skills base is critical to increasing productivity and meeting the challenges created by the decision to leave the EU and the constantly changing world of work.

The Academy believes the arts, humanities and social sciences provide a rich context for the development of higher level skills and lifelong learning that will allow the workforce of the future to cope, adapt and thrive.

The report looks at how these skills are taught, learnt and applied in society, drawing on existing evidence and generating new evidence through commissioned research. It includes recommendations of areas for further action which will set the agenda for the Academy's programme of work on skills to 2020, but also create a context for developing new partnerships with policy makers, organisations and businesses across the sector.

We believe there has never been a better time for government, businesses and education professionals to work together to rise to the challenge of creating the highly-qualified workforce of the future and delivering a modern industrial strategy.

The full portfolio of evidence that underpinned this report is available to download here.

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The Right Skills: Celebrating Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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This report aims to articulate the skills that are inherent to the study of AHSS, and to explore their value to the individual, and the contribution they can make, in future, to society.

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Understanding the career paths of AHSS graduates in the UK and their contribution to the economy

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Understanding the career paths of AHSS graduates in the UK and their contribution to the economy

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A detailed, data-driven analysis that found that the labour market outcomes achieved by SHAPE graduates are broadly similar to those achieved by STEM graduates, enjoying very similar employment rates at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Crucially, it concluded that the choices and opportunities available to holders of SHAPE qualifications, as a result of their wider skill sets, might offer greater flexibility over the longer term compared to STEM graduates – in terms of occupation, role and industry.

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Understanding the career paths of AHSS graduates in the UK and their contribution to the economy

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New analysis of the careers and skills of graduates in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

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Quantifying demand for arts, humanities and social science skills

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Quantifying demand for arts, humanities and social science skills

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This report quantitatively demonstrated the demand for SHAPE skills across the UK economy. It looked in detail at how the UK workforce might achieve its need for higher-level skills (it is projected that 57% will be employed with RQF levels 4 and above by 2027, compared to 44% in 2017). It concluded that SHAPE graduates are central to the ongoing and long-term requirement for a highly qualified and versatile labour force, as:

SHAPE graduates underpin key sectors of the UK economy. Of the ten fastest growing sectors, eight employ more graduates from SHAPE than other disciplines.

Employment rates for SHAPE and STEM graduates are almost identical (88% vs 89%)

Earnings for SHAPE and STEM graduates, ten years after graduation, are also almost identical

The top five skills developed by SHAPE graduates (communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and independence) precisely match the top skills identified to thrive in 21st century work.

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This report provides evidence for the tangible benefits of skills developed in the arts, humanities and social sciences to the UK workforce, economy and society, not only now but in the future.

The future of employment, skills and growth is uncertain, with demand being driven not only by technology and automation, but also by how we live within our local and global environment, political uncertainty and demographic change.

The arts, humanities and social sciences will be vital in building the society we want to live in, with individuals able to tackle the challenges we face and shape the future. These subjects give us the tools to examine and explain human behaviour, understand how society functions, learn from the past and apply those lessons to the present, and analyse the drivers and implications of a changing world and how different countries, places and cultures interact.

The second analysis report further unpicks graduate salary and subject, confirming that except for STEM graduates in highly paid professions (e.g. medicine), there is a limited earnings gap between STEM and AHSS graduates. This further analysis also confirmed that the choice of industry is a major factor in graduate outcome as AHSS and STEM graduates in socially valuable professions (such as education) have the same wage, which is below that of other sectors. Finally the report also demonstrates that some significant changes in professional roles when comparing AHSS and STEM graduates are due to classification changes within the Labour Force Survey.

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Qualified for the Future: quantifying demand for arts, humanities and social science skills

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This report provides evidence for the tangible benefits of skills developed in the arts, humanities and social sciences to the UK workforce, economy and society, not only now but in the future. The future of employment, skills and growth is uncertain, with demand being driven not only by technology and automation, but also by how we live within our local and global environment, political uncertainty and demographic change.

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The British Academy’s most recent report presents detailed case studies that showcase and bring to life the ways in which SHAPE skills are utilised across the UK economy, complementing the findings of its previous reports by defining how SHAPE skills are used and valued by individuals as well as employers. It concluded that SHAPE graduates are:

More likely to have developed creative and social skills during their degree, in comparison to STEM students

Contributing to innovation across our economy — over half of the UK’s leading start-ups were founded by SHAPE graduates and 59% of the leaders of FTSE 100 companies have backgrounds in SHAPE disciplines

Recognised as employable by a wide range of businesses — a global survey of 1000 business leaders found that companies with successful talent recruitment were more likely to hire graduates with non-STEM degrees

Leaders in the civil service — comprising just over 80% of successful candidates in the civil service Fast Stream and Fast Track programmes

Motivated by the breadth of perspectives and career flexibility that SHAPE disciplines offer

Passionate about their disciplines, ambitious to make positive differences, and intellectually curious about different societies and perspectives.

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SHAPE Skills at Work presents a collection of 12 case studies that bring to life the many ways in which SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) skills are utilised across the economy, showcasing the careers and successes of a broad collection of SHAPE graduates. The SHAPE graduates interviewed as part of this report are employed in fulfilling careers across a wide range of sectors, from financial services and education to media and technology. They include a Product Lead in a multinational technology firm, a Chief Sustainability Officer for a Big 6 energy company, a Consultant in software engineering, and a Director of Strategy for an NHS Foundation Trust.

This third and final report in the British Academy's flagship Skills Programme, gives voice to the evidence presented in our previous Skills Programme reports, The Right Skills and Qualified for the Future. Our case study participants illustrate how SHAPE skills lead to success for individuals, society, and the economy.
"My history studies helped me learn to get to the point and communicate accessibly in a great range of outputs, including large reports, articles, and exhibitions for the public".
- Community Engagement Officer, Greater London Authority

This report celebrates findings that SHAPE graduates are:

Employed across the UK economy. The small sample of 12 cases included in this report offer insights into over half of sectors in the UK Standard Industrial Classification hierarchy, illustrating the breadth of skills developed by SHAPE graduates.

Utilising highly valued skills in a variety of sectors, with our case study participants demonstrating skills in communication and collaboration, attitudes and behaviours, and research and analysis.

Passionate about their disciplines, ambitious to make positive differences, and intellectually curious about different societies and perspectives.

SHAPE Skills at Work

The 12 case studies that form the core of this report demonstrate the breadth of career options available to SHAPE graduates. While this is a limited sample, meaning that these cases are not representative of all disciplines and career paths, they illustrate the breadth of expertise and skills gained from studying SHAPE disciplines. Most importantly, the cases provide real-life illustrations of how crucial SHAPE skills are to the participants' careers.
"Appreciating other people's positions and background is so important in my career, from working in publishing with multidisciplinary teams to running my own business".
- Director of Strategy, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Core SHAPE skills as identified in The Right Skills (2017) and by case study participants:

The case studies in this report demonstrate how the core skills outlined in The Right Skills are present and evident in the working lives of SHAPE graduates. As illustrated in the figure above, participants identified core skills across attitudes and behaviours, communication and collaboration, and research and analysis, alongside additional skills of understanding people, interdisciplinary working, and entrepreneurialism. Our case study participants recognise these skills in their abilities and approaches to day to day working and articulate how the skills gained in SHAPE study are valuable and relevant across a range industries.
"Being able to work in this uncertainty - making decisions, balancing demands now and anticipating future needs while working within constraints - is something I have brought with me from my philosophy bachelor's and master's degrees".
- Senior Software Engineer Consultant

The skills nurtured through SHAPE degrees equip graduates for a range of roles across diverse sectors. From a Theology and Religious Studies graduate delivering NHS hospital strategy in Cambridgeshire to a graduate of Political Thought and Economics creating the conditions for action on net-zero and sustainability in one of the Big 6 energy providers, SHAPE skills are hard at work for individuals, society, and the economy. The case study participants in our report showcase how SHAPE skills - including communication, working with others, problem-solving, creative thinking, and flexibility - are helping to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing society today.

About the British Academy SHAPE Skills Programme

The British Academy Skills Programme includes two other reports, The Right Skills (2017), which identified the core skills gained from studying SHAPE disciplines, while also showcasing the contributions of SHAPE graduates to the workforce and society as a whole, and Qualified for the Future (2020), a quantitative data-driven piece that demonstrated the demand for SHAPE skills across the UK economy. We hope that the evidence that has emerged from our Skills Programme will continue to cultivate understanding of the diversity and significance of SHAPE expertise and skills in a constantly evolving and uncertain economy and society.

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SHAPE Skills at Work presents a collection of 12 case studies that bring to life the many ways in which SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) skills are utilised across the economy, showcasing the careers and successes of a broad collection of SHAPE graduates.

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As immersive exhibitions and entertainments have become fashionable, it should be remembered that they have a long history, stretching back to the panoramas of the 18th century and the many optical novelties of the Victorian era, leading up to cinema and subsequent attempts to make this a more immersive experience. More recently, the concepts of cyberspace and the metaverse have been imported from science fiction to describe virtual experiences now available through digital media. Remediation theory should explain these, as well as their evident popularity, yet cultural and aesthetic hostility to such spatial illusions is almost as old as the new media themselves, and has reappeared in response to immersive exhibitions.

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The Journal of the British Academy is an online, open access journal, showcasing the very best research in the humanities and social sciences. It aims to deepen and connect scholarship - not only within the humanities and social sciences, but across and between them - creating a platform for innovative interdisciplinary methods, perspectives and approaches.

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Why social science matters – Academy of Social Sciences

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of the social science research submitted to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise by UK universities was recognised to be world leading or internationally excellent.