Job Search for International Students

Finding part-time jobs

• Our web page on part-time jobs links you to part-time jobs we advertise, where else to look for jobs and gives you plenty of other tips on sourcing opportunities. We host a Part-time Jobs Fair every autumn.
• Finding part-time work which is relevant to your degree is not always possible, but other opportunities can still be really helpful to your career plans. Jobs in hospitality or retail are a great opportunity to experience UK workplace culture, meet new people and develop a huge range of skills valued by employers.
• If you want to work in the UK, you will need a National Insurance Number. You can apply for this when you start looking for work.

We understand that gaining work experience - and, specifically, finding an internship - is a top priority for most students and and there are a number of ways in which we can support you.

• ABDN internships: We source these opportunities exclusively for University of Aberdeen students to allow you to gain paid professional work experience. Internships are available during Term 1, Term 2 and over the summer.
• Other internships: You can find internship opportunities on MyCareerHub but there are many other opportunities advertised on external website. Our resources on work experience list some of these and links you to other useful information such as our mini career course on Finding internship opportunities which gives you many more tips.

Before you start applying, however, ask yourself why you would like to find an internship. There are alternatives to internships which may well be a better option for you. This is particularly the case for Masters students who cannot take on full-time work over the summer (most Masters students are restricted to working no more than 20 hours per week all year round) but also if you already have substantial experience either from your home country or elsewhere. Don't believe the rumours: this experience counts and will be valued by UK employers!

It is definitely worth exploring other options such as virtual internships, shadowing or mentoring as ways to build your network and gain insights into a job or sector. If you would like to discuss what is right for you, you are welcome to book an appointment with us.

In many sectors, graduate jobs are a very important part of the market. Businesses thrive on bringing in new talent and many employers provide excellent training or even support you through relevant professional qualifications.

We advertise many graduate jobs on MyCareerHub - but this is only one website you should be using to find opportunities. There are many other graduate careers websites and, for some areas, sector-specific websites to help you find suitable roles. There are even some websites which specialise in advertising vacancies for international students such as Student Circus. You can find out more about how and where to look for jobs on our Graduate opportunities page and from our Finding graduate vacancies mini career course. 

Our top tip: start early! It is not uncommon for vacancies to have closing dates in October or November for jobs which start the following September, so don't miss out!

You will also need to consider a new visa or employer sponsorship. It is important that you understand which visa options could apply to you and any requirements for each of the visa routes. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides detailed information on visa routes.

Are you thinking about working outside the UK? Unless you are planning to return to your home country, you will most likely have to consider similar issues as with staying in the UK. Our Working Abroad web page [add link when available] and Working Abroad resources are a good starting point.

If you already have several years of relevant experience, then graduate jobs may not be the best option for you - although this will vary depending on the sector and type of work which interests you.

To explore what is right for you, we recommend that you:

• check live vacancies in your preferred area of work. Do you fulfil the requirements? Do your qualifications match what is required in the UK? Our resources list sector-specific websites, including vacancy listings to help you in your research.
• discuss your plans with the Careers Adviser for your School. We can advise you on careers related to your degree and the best way to look for suitable opportunities.

We can also match you up with a mentor relevant to your area of study and interest, so you can discuss your career plans with someone who has experience in this field. We also recommend that you make use of any other networking opportunities such as careers fairs, employer presentations or conferences, so you have all the information you will need to make the best applications when the time comes.