As an international student, the process of getting work might be different to what you’re used to at home. There are additional rules and limitations that overseas students need to bear in mind to comply with the conditions of your visa while working.
Almost all job vacancies are listed online. You’ll be able to find them on the careers page of the organisation you’re applying to, as well as on job search sites.
These listings will contain information about the role, its salary, location, what’s expected of the candidate, and what experience or qualifications are needed to apply. Make sure you meet the criteria of the job before applying to make sure you have a good chance of success.
Job interviews can be in-person, via video call or over the phone. During your interview, you’ll answer a series of questions designed to work out whether you're the best fit for the role.
In some cases, you’ll know the questions in advance. In any case, you should think carefully about why you’re a good choice for the job and make notes based on the job description. Consider asking a friend or family member to ask you interview-style questions so you can practice!
Every job applicant in the UK needs a CV. This is a brief (one or two page) summary of your educational achievements, work history and professional skills. In general, you'll use the same CV for each of your job applications. In some cases, you may wish to include or leave out some minor details depending on whether they’re relevant to the job you’re applying to.
Your university careers service can help you write or improve your CV. You can also use our CV Builder tool to create a professional CV quickly.
You’ll usually need to include a cover letter along with your CV when applying to a job. While your CV is only about you, the cover letter is where you explain why you’re a good candidate for the job you’re applying for.
As a result, you’ll have a different cover letter for each position you apply to. While your cover letters for similar roles might have some shared elements, you should make sure that the company name, address, and details of the job are accurate before you submit.
Be specific and make it personal! Employers are much more likely to respond positively to cover letters that demonstrate you have written specifically to them, are interested in their job, and explain why you’re a great fit for that job.
This visa permits you to work in the UK after your studies finish. You don’t need employer sponsorship or endorsement to get one, just the completion of a valid UK qualification (completed in the UK). You can work in any type of role with a Graduate Route Visa. You’ll need to have a valid student visa and be located within the UK at the time of your application.
This visa offers long-term permission to stay and work in the UK after you graduate. You’ll need a job offer from a Skilled Worker Sponsor to qualify for this visa type.
Sponsored jobs are offered across a range of work sectors in the UK, but some of the most common job markets for sponsorship are:
As an applicant, you’ll need to focus your job search on companies who are licensed to sponsor visas for overseas workers. In rare cases, an employer may apply for this licence to employ you (but this would only be discussed after you receive a job offer).
There are other visa types which allow you to work in the UK. Students are less likely to meet the requirements of these visa types, but they may be worth checking if you think they are relevant to your circumstances.
Your university’s careers service can provide specialised advice on visas and help you work out which visa type is best for you.
You can find voluntary work through your students’ union, as well as through a range of charity and non-profit organisations. While this work is unpaid, it can be a great way to build experience relevant to your field and demonstrate commitment and passion for your subject.
If you’re on a student visa, volunteering work counts towards your 20 hour per week limit.
Internships are structured training opportunities which may be unpaid or offer a basic wage. Unlike voluntary roles, internships can be offered by private businesses and are typically more rigid in terms of schedule, location and responsibilities.
You can apply for full-time internships during the summer break or after you finish your studies. There are also part-time internships which you can complete during term time (these will count towards your 20 hour per week limit if on a student visa).
Part-time work is a popular way for students to build experience as it fits around study schedules and pays a wage. You can find part-time opportunities at your university or students’ union, or with businesses in your local area.
Entry level roles are junior positions in a wide range of sectors, open to most people. Graduate roles are specifically for applicants with a relevant degree. Graduate schemes are paid roles that combine training and work, designed to help you build a strong foundation in your chosen career. They’re more structured than entry level roles and normally lead to full-time positions with the company offering the scheme.
Graduate jobs and schemes can be highly competitive, so getting work experience during your studies is a great way to boost your chances of success.
You can learn more about graduate job options in our guide to entry level jobs and graduate schemes.