International Careers Support

Our 5 online career courses for international students and graduates are a fantastic way to learn about career opportunities in the UK and internationally. They cover a range of topics including:

• The UK labour market
• Finding UK work experience
• Applying and interviewing for UK jobs
• Talking to UK employers about visas and sponsorship
• Returning home after your studies
• Researching global work opportunities

You can work through the courses at your own pace. If you don't have time to complete them all, just select the topics that are most relevant to you.

Click here to get started. 

If you have any difficulties accessing these courses, please email careersenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk. 

Our events programme for international students and graduates is designed to equip you with essential knowledge for planning your future career in the UK or internationally.

• Career Education Workshops

Develop practical skills and knowledge through our interactive online workshops, which cover topics including:

• • The UK labour market
  • Finding UK work experience
  • Applying and interviewing for UK jobs
  • Talking to UK employers about visas and sponsorship
  • Returning home after your studies
  • Researching global work opportunities
    
    
• Global Connections:

Learn from University of Birmingham International Alumni who have gone onto develop careers in the UK and internationally. Network and gain insights on:

• • Developing skills and experience during your degree
  • Job searching in the UK and globally
  • Talking to UK employers about visas

We’d love you to join our events and look forward to meeting you. View our events programme here.

Careers Network provide support with all stages of a job application process including CVs, LinkedIn, application forms, interviews and assessment centres.

Application support

• Step 1: Complete the online course: Apply and Interview for UK Jobs
• Step 2: Find out about our additional CV, Application & Interview Support workshops and resources

Application support for jobs outside the UK

If you are applying for jobs outside of the UK, the following resources will help you understand application processes and CV formats for a range of countries.

• Step 1: Complete the online course: Return Home or Work Globally which includes advice on impressing employers with your UK study experience, networking and searching for global work opportunities
• Step 2: Research countries and their application processes using the following resources: Country Guides, Student Circus Country Guides, Prospects Country Guides and Target Jobs Country Guides. You can also read our guide to Tailoring Your CV for the Chinese Labour Market.

Work Experience

Gaining work experience during your degree puts you in a stronger position for finding graduate work. Careers Network can support you to find and apply for work experience opportunities in the UK.

• Step 1: Complete the online course: Get UK Work Experience  
• Step 2: Visit our Work Experience and Internships pages to read about types of work experience in the UK, where to search for work experience and our exclusive B-Experienced Internship Programme.

You can email your work experience questions to careersenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Important considerations

International students who hold a Student Route Visa to study in the UK are subject to working restrictions imposed by UKVI (UK Visas & Immigration). However, most international students should still be able to undertake work experience. We recommend you read the guidance written by the International Student Team before applying for any work experience. If you have any questions about working rights and visas, please contact the International Student Team.

Mentoring

Careers Network offer mentoring programmes to connect you with industry professionals that can support you with your career development. Our mentors are from a wide range of sectors and job roles, and are based in the UK and internationally.    

Find out more about our mentoring programmes here. 

Part-time work

Working part-time alongside your studies is a fantastic way to gain new skills, develop your English language skills and learn about UK working culture. 

• Step 1: Complete the online course: Get UK Work Experience for tips on searching for part-time work.

Search for part-time work on campus:

• Worklink: The University of Birmingham’s recruitment agency, dedicated to helping students find flexible, part-time work on campus.
• Guild of Students: Student Work Opportunities: Student part-time work opportunities at the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students.

We recommend you read the ‘Working during your studies‘ guidance by the International Student Team before applying for part-time work. If you have any questions about working rights and visas, please contact the International Student Team.

International students have a great skillset to offer employers. Careers Network provides advice, events and resources to help you search for graduate jobs in the UK and internationally.

• Step 1: Complete the online course: Get Ready for Your Future to learn about UK graduate opportunities or Return Home or Work Globally to learn about international graduate opportunities.
• Step 2: Get involved in our programme of Employer events and resources:
  • Visit the University of Birmingham Career Fairs run throughout the academic year to meet employers and find out about their graduate roles
  • Attend Employer events to gain insights into UK job sectors and employers
  • Search for Jobs & Opportunities
  • Gain an insight into job sectors

Student Circus is a fantastic careers resource for international students and graduates. The platform enables you to:

• Search for jobs with Skilled Worker Visa employers in the UK
• Search for jobs with handpicked employers in 30+ countries that value the global experience of international students
• Access a range of employability resources including country guides and career blogs. 

Using Student Circus is easy and it’s available to University of Birmingham students and graduates any time of the day from a mobile or desktop device.  

Register for your Student Circus account using your UoB student or alumni email address.

Careers Network is not authorised to give advice on work permit or visa applications. Please contact the services and resources below for support.

Complete our online course: Talk to UK Employers about Visas and Sponsorship which provides an overview of working visas and advice on talking to UK employers about visas.

The UoB International Student Team (IST) provide support and advice for prospective and current international students. Their expertise covers immigration, visas and how to adapt to life in the UK.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provide information and advice for international students studying in the UK through online resources and a telephone advice line. 

We strongly recommend you consult UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and ensure you understand the government visa regulations before you start to apply for jobs in the UK.