It can be difficult to find part-time work directly related to your degree. Most opportunities are in hospitality or retail. These enable you to develop skills which will be useful to any career area.
See our advice for CVs and Covering letters. For part-time work your CV can be shorter than for a graduate job. Make sure you tailor it, focussing on relevant experience and skills.
National Insurance Number – this is a unique number assigned by the government to everyone eligible to work. You need to apply to get one. You can begin work without having it, but it is a good idea to apply for the NI number before applying for work.
Students working part-time are entitled to the national minimum wage.
If you have more detailed questions about tax or your right to work, the UKCISA website has useful information.
The word “internship” is typically used to describe a short period of work experience (e.g. over the summer) which doesn’t have to relate to your degree.
Most (but not all) summer internship opportunities are aimed at undergraduate students in their middle year.
Many (but not all) are advertised in September/October and many have deadlines before December.
Internships in the UK:
Internships abroad:
Visas
UKCISA is a great source of information covering the different options for working in the UK after your studies.
Targetjobs has a quick overview on visas and permits and the UK Visas and Immigration website explains the whole process in detail.
Pay attention to this guidance from UK Visas and Immigration about switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 - for students on a Tier 4 visa "You must not leave the UK and make your Tier 2 (General) application from abroad".
Finding work
Student Circus - a website specifically for international students and graduates looking for work in the UK
TargetJobs has a guide for international students on jobhunting in the UK
Jobs for Graduates has a list of useful websites for finding graduate schemes, jobs and internships
The Recruiting International Graduates Employer Guide (pdf) is a useful document of FAQs for employers about employing international students and graduates. To assist potential employers, make sure that you understand this legislation. It might be helpful to attach this guide to your job application.
Working in Ireland
GradIreland explains how to stay and work in Ireland after graduating.
GradLink - job vacancy website specifically for international students studying in the UK who want to return to their home country
LockinChina - job vacancy website for Chinese speaking students who want to work in China.
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For more information please read our Equality and Diversity Policy.
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