International Students Support

Groups of international students sitting at the library (picture description)

Your Career Support at Swansea

Welcome to SEA’s international students’ career support webpage!

We gathered all employability tools and resources for international students in one place to help you develop your career skills with ease and confidence.

There are many resources that you can use to develop your employability skills and prepare for entering the graduate job market. Take it step by step and you will be just fine! Being an international student you have a lot to offer to employers. Use the resources and take advantage of opportunities such as events and webinars to stand out from other candidates.

We have international students’ tailored tools such as Student Circus and eCareersGrad, as well as other resources that will be invaluable in developing your skills like ShortlistMe and Forage.

Here are our recommendations for your next steps to develop your career.

How to start - Your CV

To start looking for opportunities you’ll need a new CV and cover letter formatted to the expectations of UK employers. Don’t make the mistake of using a CV from your home country as there are many differences across cultures in what hiring managers are hoping to find in CVs from new candidates. Our Career Development Course has a great unit on CVs that takes less than an hour to complete.

Don’t leave it for later. Start developing your skills today and stay ahead of competition.

Work while you study

Working in the UK can not only help you manage your fnances but also provides you with a chance to enhance your skills, expand your network, and enrich your overall educational journey. Most student visas will allow a certain number of hours work alongside your degree, normally 20hrs per week in term time and full-time during vacation periods (check your visa).

The biggest sectors employing students for part-time work in the UK are retail (shops and supermarkets), catering (bars and restaurants) and social care (care homes, etc). Large employers will have you complete an online application form on their websites, but many independent businesses hire individuals that pop into their venues in person with a CV. It’s worthwhile to both apply for jobs online, and also print off around 20 CVs to deliver in person to shops, restaurants or bars where you’d like to work.

Don’t disregard internships as a potential income stream. Most internships inthe UK are paid opportunities.

Find internships and part-time work on our Digital Jobs Board Employment Zone

Finding graduate work

Staying in the UK to work is an aspiration for many international students. The process of finding this work can be long and unfamiliar, but employers are looking for new ways to find the talent they so desperately need to grow their businesses.

Start Early

Many graduate roles starting in the summer are advertised as early as the October and November before! Employers will also need time to arrange your visa if they are hoping to sponsor you.
Be Opportunity-Aware

Sign up to receive job notifcations on Employment Zone and other jobs boards. Follow employability related social media accounts. Make sure that if your dream job is advertised, you’re the frst to hear about it.
Let them know you’re eligible to work in the UK

Regardless of your visa status now, when you graduate you will either be able to seek sponsorship, or apply for a Graduate Visa.
Build a Support Network

Finding the right graduate opportunities can be tough. Speak to your peers, your lecturers and wider network about the kind of work you’re looking for.

If you need support, book an appointment with a Career Adviser

Routes and Visas

Good knowledge of your visa and potential routes to remaining in the UK to work will empower you to have effective conversations with future employers. Many hiring managers have experience of hiring internationally, but others will be relying on your knowledge of the UK immigration system to secure the best option for you. Make sure you check the government website for the most up-todate information on visas. Most individuals will have the following two options

Skilled worker visa

Many international students see this as the gold standard of what working in the UK could be. For this visa you will be sponsored by a licenced employer to do a specifc job. Employers usually cover most of the cost of this visa, which can be high in comparison to a Graduate Visa. Your time working in the UK while on this visa can count towards future applications, for example indefnite leave to remain.

Employers need a licence to offer sponsorship
This can take time to set up and many employers will hire immigration lawyers to help with the process. If an employer isn’t already licenced, they may not be able to offer sponsorship at short notice. Student Circus and eCareersGrad are great resources to help you fnd already-licenced employers that are advertising roles.

Applying for graduate roles with companies that are already licenced to offer this visa is a great place to start. If there’s a specifc employer you want to work with that isn’t yet licenced, make sure you work with them to get this process started as soon as possible.
Can last up-to 5 years

This type of visa can be offered for up to 5 years, but can be extended indefnitely. It can also lead to settlement after 5 years, via an indefnite leave to remain.

Graduate visa

This visa, often referred to as the Post Study Work visa, is a fexible option for international students who have completed a degree or relevant qualifcation. You don’t need sponsorship or any endorsement from an employer or your institution to apply; it’s in your hands to do so. For this visa, you would pay the fees including an application fee and an immigration health surcharge.

The graduate visa allows you to work in the UK for two years, extended to three for PhD graduates. You don’t have to stay with any particular employer or job, although most graduates use this time to try to find a job that can lead to a sponsored role. This visa, however, is not extendable and will not count towards your indefnite leave to remain in the UK.

Disclaimer: Visa information changes on a regular basis. Check gov.uk to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Online resources that will allow you to plan your career, develop your skills and find employers looking to hire international students and graduates.