Working in the UK

The UK graduate job market – a degree is not enough

Competition for graduate jobs can be fierce. In Scotland, over 60% of school leavers go on to further or higher education! Having a degree – even if it is at Masters level – is only one of the things UK employers look for. They also look for a range of skills and other activities which can make you stand out from the crowd. Here are some ideas which can help you:

Look for work experience – UK employers expect students to have some work experience. This can allow you to:

  • Experience a UK workplace and meet new people from outside the university community.
  • Develop a range of skills which are valued by graduate employers.
  • Improve your English (if needed) and help you to learn more about UK culture.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a part-time job or volunteering and it doesn’t even have to be related to your degree or future career. It all helps to develop your skills and will be valued by employers.

Take part in the Career Mentoring Programme – This gives you an opportunity to meet a working professional who is willing to offer you support in developing your career ideas. This will give you an insight into the knowledge and skills required to succeed in your chosen career. Find out more at the Careers Service.

Get involved – Join University Sports Clubs, societies or become a class representative. This will help you to meet people, develop skills and shows an active interest in your community. Visit www.ausa.org.uk for more information. You can also receive recognition for your involvement in activities through the STAR Award (Students Taking Active Roles Award).

The Careers Service can help you to find suitable job opportunities, check applications and help you with interview preparation. See our Making Applications section for more information.

Immigration Matters

Whether you would like to work part-time during your studies or are planning to stay in the UK once you have completed your degree programme, it is extremely important that you understand and follow the relevant immigration rules.

Working in the UK during your studies

International students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) on degree programmes are generally permitted to work part-time during the semester for up to 20 hours a week (although the University recommends no more than 15 hours) and full-time during vacations. Please note that there are a number of key exceptions to this rule which relate to students on short-term courses which are below degree level or short English Language programmes. Also, if you are still studying, even if you are not attending classes, this is not a holiday period for you (for example postgraduate students over the summer months). This means that you should not work full-time.

You can search for summer jobs and placements on our website. The Students' Association advertises part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities. Visit www.ausa.org.uk for more information.

Working in the UK after your studies

If you want to stay in the UK after you complete your studies, you will need a visa which allows you to live and work in the UK. The most likely options are:

Tier 2 (General): This route allows employers to “sponsor” non-EU citizens to work in their organisation for a specific period of time. Usually, the employer has to prove that the job was advertised widely and could not be filled with someone from within the EU. This is called the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT). However, this does not apply if you switch from another immigration category while your visa is still valid – and this includes Tier 4 student visas – but there are restrictions. To qualify:

  • The employer must be on a register of sponsors. (Check the UK Border Agency or our website for a link.)
  • The job must be at graduate level and the salary must be at least £20,000 and higher for some jobs (check the list on the UK Border Agency website).
  • You must fulfil the maintenance requirements (proof of funds) or the employer must vouch for you.

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur): This is a new immigration route for recent graduates who have an exceptional business idea and would like to start up a business in the UK. The visa is initially granted for a year but with the possibility of extending for another year, but only if your plans are progressing well and there is a good chance that you will be switching to the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa at the end of your time. During this time, you will need be sponsored by you university. The University of Aberdeen is a sponsor for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route and we expect that we will be in a position to sponsor graduates from summer/autumn 2013.

There are other visa options, all with very specific requirements. Keep up to date with visa issues as this will help you when you are looking for jobs but be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be successful in your application and we recommend that you also make plans for returning home after your studies.

Top tips on finding jobs in the UK

  • Start your job search early – Many vacancies close almost a year before the start date, so you have to be organised or you’ll miss out!
  • Find out what UK employers want – Don’t assume things will be just as they are in your home country. Make sure you understand what employers want by attending employer presentations, Careers Fairs and, of course, by asking the Careers Service. 
  • Get involved – UK employers expect you to have the right skills and at least some work experience, so think about part-time work or volunteering, join sports clubs and societies or get involved in student representation. It all counts! 
  • Keep up to date with immigration legislation – If you want to stay in the UK, you need to know the rules.

Finding international graduate jobs

Most international students return to their home country to work after graduation. You can find resources on a number of countries and international opportunities in our virtual library and at the Careers Service. We can't offer in-depth information for every country but the Information Manager will point out useful starting points.

 

Further Information

Our virtual library contains searchable resources available online and at the Careers Service.  Use the links below to find the resources for related to working in the UK.

Resources on working in the UK

Resources on finding graduate jobs in the UK

Resources on finding international graduate jobs