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Finding work during your studies

Part-time work

  • The Oncampus jobs service advertises part-time work and placements at the University through MyFuture. 

  • Some part-time opportunities will be advertised on MyFuture – Click on Search Jobs -> Advanced Search -> Casual / Part-time

  • NIJobs.com is a general jobs website for Northern Ireland which includes adverts for part-time jobs

  • Many shops, restaurants and bars do not advertise online, but will put up notices in their windows.  Go in and ask how to apply. Some prefer CVs and others require you to complete an application form.

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.

Internships

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:

  • GoinGlobal - on MyFuture -  has a database of jobs and internships abroad 
  • Europe Internships - a variety of internship opportunities throughout Europe (including the UK)
  • The EURES  website have lots of information on jobs and learning opportunities throughout Europe.
  • BUNAC  - internship opportunities around the world
  • CCUSA - internship opportunities around the world
  • Gradlink UK - a website for international students studying in the UK. It has internships and graduate jobs in various parts of the world including Africa, Bangladesh, Canada, Gulf, India, and Sout-East Asia

Finding work after your studies

Graduate job search in UK

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.

Graduate job search websites for vacancies outside the UK

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.