Building your career in the UK: a guide for international students

Rosie Kennedy, Head of International and Postgraduate Employability at Gradcore*, shares her top tips and insights on careers and employment, with a focus on international students looking for work in the UK.

Understand your visa options

Understanding your visa options is crucial for navigating the UK job market. Many employers are not fully aware of the Graduate visa route, so it's important to learn about it yourself. The Graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK for two years (or three if you have a PhD) without employer sponsorship. This gives you the freedom to explore various opportunities, travel, or even start a business.

I encourage international students to consider the Graduate visa as a valuable option, even if you're initially focused on securing a sponsored job through the Skilled Worker visa. The Graduate visa can lead to sponsorship opportunities over time, so it’s worth considering this route as a stepping stone while gaining experience in the UK.

Take advantage of your university's career service

When you arrive in the UK to study, your number one port of call for anything jobs and employability-related in the UK should be your university career service, regardless of at what point you are along your career journey. So, whether you have a clear idea of your next steps or have no idea at all, make sure to take advantage of your career service.

Some universities are happy for students to contact them before they arrive, and many also offer their services for life or for a set amount of time after graduation, so it’s worth looking into this with your university to know how long they will be available to support you after you graduate.

A career service is a team of employability professionals dedicated to helping you navigate your career path. Each university has its approach in how this is done, but they all have the same goal of improving students’ chances of securing a job in their dream career. The career service will not simply hand you a job but they will support you with tools to prepare you for recruitment processes, help you to hone your employability skills and guide you in exploring possible career options.

Typical university career services include CV/resume reviews, interview guidance, mock interviews, and signposting to job opportunities, for example, through career fairs. They can help guide you through the job application processes and help you discover your strengths, values, and passions to keep you motivated throughout your career.

Some career services provide specialist support and can put students in direct contact with potential employers for work experience and networking opportunities. Some offer entrepreneurial support, enterprise competitions, and sometimes even funding for students who want to start or grow their own business.

You can also explore a variety of online resources for additional support. Websites like Prospects offer helpful articles, advice, and guidance tailored to students. Job sites such as Graduate Jobs are also excellent for international students to discover available graduate schemes and internships.

Get some work experience during your studies

Work experience is one of the most valuable things when finding employment after graduation. I’d encourage you to grasp all the opportunities available and look for things to do alongside your degree. Doing part-time work alongside your studies (up to 20 hours a week during term time) is a good place to start, even if you can’t find it in the industry or sector you wish to work in after graduation. It all helps to add to your skill set and build transferable skills such as communication and teamwork that will be relevant to any role in the future.

Work experience does not have to be ‘formal’ or ‘full-time’ to be valuable, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be paid work. Volunteering roles and internships are also a brilliant way to gain experience in a professional setting. They can be a springboard into other opportunities within that company or organisation.

Universities also provide a range of experiences that students can take up on campus that would look great on their CVs. For example, opportunities through the Students' Union, acting as a course representative, taking on student leadership roles in clubs and societies, or part-time work as a student ambassador. These experiences will help you demonstrate your commitment and will act as critical experience for you to write about in applications and talk about in interviews.

Now, many UK universities have embedded employability within the curriculum. International students may be surprised to find experiential learning and work-related learning opportunities available during whatever course they have chosen to study.

So, for example, you might be working on a live industry challenge from an employer as part of your degree course, which you can then talk about in future interviews. It’s good to be aware of these opportunities from the beginning and think about how you can take that experience forward and explain it to an employer. What did you learn? Who did you work with? What did you achieve?

Network, network network

Networking is essential for international students looking to build a career in the UK. Around 70 per cent of job vacancies are never publicly advertised, so networking can open doors to hidden opportunities. Since you may not have the same local connections as home students, it’s especially important to network and build your social capital.

University career services can support this by providing introductions and organising career fairs. Knowing your strengths and how to present them to employers in a brief ‘elevator pitch’ is key. Since you often have only a short moment to make an impression, preparing a clear and concise introduction will help you to stand out.

Networking isn’t just limited to in-person events either; online platforms like LinkedIn are crucial. Engage with content on LinkedIn by sharing your thoughts, following companies, and researching different career paths taken by professionals who inspire you. Building a strong online presence can help expand your reach and increase your visibility to potential employers.

When reaching out to others, be intentional. Avoid sending generic connection requests. Instead, personalise each request with a brief introduction explaining why you’re reaching out. This tailored approach will help you form meaningful connections that could have a significant impact on your career. Networking is about putting yourself out there, thinking creatively, and building relationships that could shape your future career.

Use your unique experience of being an international student as a strength

As an international student, you bring unique strengths that can set you apart in the UK job market. Employers highly value adaptability, resilience, and learning agility - all demonstrated by your experience of studying abroad in the UK. Moving to a new country for your education showcases your proactivity, independence, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone—all qualities employers seek.

By choosing to study in the UK, you already demonstrate a global mindset and an openness to learning. You’ve adapted to new cultures and embraced different perspectives, which shows employers that you can thrive in diverse environments. Your experiences navigating new systems and adapting to challenges along the way will make you stand out from many home students.

Additionally, international students often bring valuable cultural awareness and language skills, which are in high demand in today’s globalised job market. Employers appreciate candidates who can contribute diverse perspectives and bridge cultural gaps within their teams. In your applications and interviews, make sure to highlight these strengths and explain how they will benefit the organisations you’re applying to. Confidence is key, so practice articulating your unique skills and experiences, and don’t underestimate the value you bring to the table.

Discover opportunities beyond just the "big" companies in London

While London is a popular destination for many international students seeking jobs, it’s important to remember that the UK offers opportunities far beyond its capital. Cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast have thriving job markets and are home to various industries. By broadening your job search to other regions, you might find exciting roles in sectors growing outside of London, often with a lower cost of living and a more balanced lifestyle.

In addition to exploring different locations, consider looking beyond large, well-known companies. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK seek talented graduates, and working for a smaller company can give you broader experience. At an SME, you’re likely to take on a wider range of responsibilities and gain exposure to different aspects of the business, allowing you to develop a more diverse skill set. This can be a great way to expedite your career progression, as your contributions are more visible and your impact is felt across the organisation.

Being open to new experiences—location and employer size—can significantly expand your career options. You might discover industries or roles you hadn’t considered before, and these experiences could shape the future direction of your career.

Consider disclosing any accessibility needs when applying for roles

If you have any accessibility needs, I encourage you to disclose them if you feel comfortable. Employers in the UK are generally open to making reasonable adjustments, which can make a big difference in your experience. For instance, if you're applying to a graduate scheme and there’s an assessment centre, disclosing your needs might mean you get extra time or receive interview questions in advance. These adjustments help create a more level playing field.

It’s also important to remember that an interview is not just about the employer evaluating you; it’s a chance for you to assess whether the company is the right fit for you. Do their culture and values align with yours? Being comfortable during the interview process is vital, and employers are often more than willing to help.

In the UK, more employers are making interview questions available in advance to all candidates, not just those requesting adjustments. This move towards greater inclusivity ensures everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.

Try to stay positive and motivated during your job search

Job hunting can be challenging, especially in the competitive UK market. Many international students assume it will be easy to secure a job during or after their studies, but the reality is tougher. It’s important to invest time in developing the skills employers seek and understanding your strengths.

While competition is high, the graduate job market is growing, and new roles are emerging, particularly in digital and technology-driven fields. Building your digital skills is one way to future-proof your career and stand out.

Rejection or silence from employers is common for everyone, not just international students. Job hunting can sometimes be a lengthy process, but staying motivated is so important, as is remembering that sometimes luck is involved. Resilience means remaining positive and learning from each experience. Seek feedback when possible, especially if you reach the interview stage, and use it to improve your approach for future applications.

Set small, manageable goals like updating your CV or applying to a set number of jobs each week to keep motivated—balance your job search with other aspects of life to avoid burnout, particularly if you’re still studying. Don’t hesitate to ask for support, whether from friends, family, or your university’s career service, to help manage the challenges of the job-hunting process.

Be open-minded and explore all the possibilities available to you

It’s never too early to start thinking about your career. Many international students choose to come and study in the UK with a set career path in mind, but that's definitely not the case for everyone. I'd encourage all international students, whether you have a career path in mind already or whether you’re still exploring the possibilities, to be open-minded. Explore all the opportunities available to you while studying in the UK.

If you’re considering doing a graduate scheme, it’s worth being aware that they often recruit a year in advance, with applications opening between September and December. Some have rolling recruitment, but for many, there is a really short application window. So, if you want to do a graduate scheme, keep an eye on deadlines and start your research as soon as possible.

* Gradcore is an international organisation trusted by universities and governments to support outstanding graduate outcomes. For over 20 years, they have helped students secure graduate-level employment and integrated employability into curricula, working with universities and employers worldwide.