International Students

For the duration of your course and up to 3 years after you graduate from the University of Cumbria, you will continue to have access to My Career Enriched, your career hub which enables you to:

• Search for graduate jobs, part-time work, work experience, industry placements and paid internships.
• Book one-to-one advice and guidance appointments and practice interviews.
• Search for and book onto careers fairs and employability events.
• Send in your CV, cover letter or application form for tailored feedback.
• Complete mini online courses in Pathways to improve your employability skills.
• Undertake career exploration on the Career Discovery Feed.

Watch our video guide on using My Career Enriched

Please note if you are a Robert Kennedy College Student you will not have access to our full services, you are welcome to join My Career Enriched as a ‘Other User’.

Useful links:

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/finding-a-job/guide-job-hunting-international-students

https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/international-students/visas-and-immigration/

Useful information from the UK Council for International Affairs (UKCISA) – things to consider when working after your studies

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Working-after-studies

Help for international students – understand what UK employers want https://mycareerenriched.cumbria.ac.uk/student/svc/external-pathways.html#/pathway/definition/86/overview

Help for international students – how to find and apply for work experience in the UK  https://mycareerenriched.cumbria.ac.uk/student/svc/external-pathways.html#/pathway/definition/84/overview

Help for international students – understand the graduate job options in the UK   https://mycareerenriched.cumbria.ac.uk/student/svc/external-pathways.html#/pathway/definition/82/overview

What is a CV?

A CV, which stands for curriculum vitae (a Latin phrase meaning 'course of life'), is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers. Alongside your CV employers may also ask for a cover letter. A standard CV in the UK should be no longer than two sides of A4, try to keep your CV concise and relevant to the job you are applying for.

In other countries, such as the USA and Canada, CVs are known as résumés. These documents tend to be more concise and follow no particular formatting rules. (Prospects.co.uk)

Guidance on how to write a CV for the UK market.

For more information on Visas, including what to do when your course is complete.

Working part time while studying. As you are an international student you first need to check your visa to see if you are allowed to work in the UK. Check on the UKCISA website. If you are eligible to work in the UK you can then begin looking for work. There is also a guide to job hunting for international students. 

You can find information about finding part-time work locally on My.Cumbria. And you can also find local vacancies on My Career Enriched, your career hub. 

Running your own business can be a challenging but rewarding endeavour. Under the UK’s Student visa scheme, international students are not permitted to be self-employed or to engage in small business activity, however you can make the most of your time at University of Cumbria to develop your business ideas alongside your studies, gain some work experience, and develop the skillset needed to successfully set up and manage a small business. Upon completion of your studies, you may be eligible for an Innovator Founder visa which will allow you to remain in the UK and put your hard work into action!

The Careers and Employability Service provides support to students for their time at University of Cumbria plus for up to three years after graduation so why not make an appointment to speak to the Student Enterprise Adviser to start the planning process now.

Would you like to work for the university as a Student Ambassador? There are paid roles available with various departments across the University - Marketing and Student Recruitment, Academic Registry, Student Services and International Development Office. 

Student Ambassador vacancies.

Support with your application

As these are paid job roles there is a formal recruitment process. For help and guidance on how to write a successful job application and succeed at interview, the Careers and Employability Service have lots of resources on My Cumbria to help you.

Feedback on your draft application

The Careers and Employability Service can also give you personalised feedback on your draft application and suggest ways in which you can improve it. To request feedback, click on the ‘Feedback on CVs and applications’ pane on My Career Enriched, the careers hub. If you have not used My Career Enriched before, you will need to register first. 

UK employers want to recruit the best graduates to fill their positions. You can access 3 online courses to help you navigate the UK job market via My Career Enriched, your careers hub. Here are some examples of the online courses you can access:

• Help for International students- how to find and apply for work experience in the UK.
• Help for International students- understand what UK employers want.
• Help for International students- understand the graduate job options in the UK.

Here are some key insights into what they are looking for from a graduate:

Work Experience

Internships, work placements, work shadowing, volunteering and part-time work are all great ways to build skills and experience in your chosen/ future profession. It is also a great opportunity to enhance your CV and showcase relevant experience. UK employers value skills and experience obtained beyond your degree. Finding experience or even part-time work can also give you an insight into UK culture, improve your English and develop various skills that can be transferred to any job.

Find out more about work experience on www.prospects.ac.uk

You can also access an online course to help you find and apply for work experience via My Career Enriched, your career hub. Once you have logged in, click on Pathways.

You can also gain experience by getting involved in university life including sports, societies and taking up positions of responsibilities on your course, in the Students’ Union or in your hall of residence.

Organising events or captaining a sports team can provide great examples of how you have used and developed your skills and shows employers you have skills outside your academic qualifications.

Academic Qualifications

Although academic qualifications are important securing a job in the UK requires more than academic grades. Employers want to know that you have gained skills and experience through work experience (see above). However, many graduate roles do also require at least a 2:1 Undergraduate qualification, they might accept a 2:2. They might also want to know about your prior qualifications. For international qualifications, a “Statement of Comparability” will show what your grade is equivalent to in the UK. If you think you will need a Statement of Comparability you can apply for one via the ENIC website. There is a cost to obtaining this statement, more information can be found on the ENIC website.

Communicating the Benefits of Employing International Students to UK Employers

You will have individual skills and experiences as an international student, you should highlight these when applying for any opportunity in the UK. If you are applying for a job role that is based within a business which operates internationally, your global awareness and/ or ability to speak multiple languages can be invaluable.

You have also demonstrated that you have the ability to adapt to new cultures and take on new challenges independently by moving to a different country for your studies.

Understanding Permission to Work in the UK

Not all employers are aware of current UK immigration rules, so you should develop a good understanding of the permission required to work in the UK (see Student & Graduate Visa information). On application forms and CVs you could make it clear that you are eligible to work in the UK. For example, a student could use a phrase such as “Eligible to work for 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during vacations with Student Visa” or “Eligible to work in the UK for 2 years after studies through Graduate Visa”.

Presenting Yourself Effectively

Understanding UK business culture is key to gaining a graduate job. Your body language, spoken language and the way you speak will all influence employers’ perceptions of you and their decision whether to hire you or not. You can access online training via My Career Enriched. Once you are logged in or registered you can access all our courses via Pathways. Look out for online courses such like ‘the fundamentals of presenting well’.

Useful Links

Help for international students – understand what UK employers want

Help for international students – how to find and apply for work experience in the UK  

Help for international students – understand the graduate job options in the UK

In many counties jobs are not advertised and there is an assumption that you will contact the company directly with a CV and targeted covering letter. You can visit our My Cumbria pages for help creating CVs and covering letters. Alternatively, make an appointment through My Career Enriched to speak to one of our Career Advisors.  

You will also need to make yourself aware of any differences in the recruitment process. Most international businesses will have a similar process at the UK so you can take advantage of the resources on offer via My Career Enriched but they might have a different process that is worth investigating. You will also be expected to behave in a certain way during your employment. Do your research, find out about the cultural norms and the expectations of your employer. The employers’ expectations may differ from your own.  

Make sure you enhance your skills while at university, although an academic degree is important most employers are looking for graduates who can demonstrate that they have transferable skills. Research and find out if companies you want to work for value e.g., unpaid volunteering or paid placement. If you know what your target company values then you can focus gaining experience they require/ rate the most.

Whether you are looking to work in the UK or back in your home country, if you are not a native English speaker, employers are likely to expect you to have developed your English skills. Speak regularly with native English speakers on your course, in halls of residence, through part time work, volunteering, clubs and societies or other general experiences is a great way for you to enhance your English proficiency. You might also want to do some additional courses or activities outside of university. Here are some links to get you started:  

English Conversation Group Lancaster

Multicultural Choir Carlisle

Linkedin Learning: There are a lot of free courses you can access via Linkedin Learning as a University of Cumbria student, for example courses non-native English speakers on presenting, small talk, writing emails, etc.

Duolingo English test for developing language skills. You do not need to purchase the practice option.

Further Study

Give your career a boost by studying for a Masters or PhD. Our postgraduate degrees - whether taught or research - offer small study groups and access to experts in your academic field. 

• Postgraduate courses
• Postgraduate teaching courses
• Research degrees 

More information on the University of Cumbria’s Postgraduate study.

Alternatively, you can search for Postgraduate courses at any institution here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses

Remaining in the UK

What is the Graduate Route?

The UK’s Graduate Route welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for international students who want to take their next steps into employment in the UK.

What are the benefits of the Graduate Route?

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, which means you can use the time after you graduate to work, or look for work, at any skill level. You will have the flexibility to gain work experience, undertake an internship or work as a freelancer in the UK.

There is no minimum salary requirement, and there is no limit on how many international students can have the opportunity to stay in the UK through the Graduate Route.

Once you have found suitable employment in the UK, you’ll have the chance to switch to a skilled work route and remain in the UK after your two or three years have come to an end.

'I decided to apply for the Graduate Route so that I could confidently apply for different jobs in the UK without worrying about my student visa expiry date. After graduating, I worked as a locum (temporary) medical laboratory assistant at Nottingham Trent University. I then applied for a permanent job within the same department, and I secured my current role as a biomedical scientist.'

Yamin, from Myanmar, studied Biomedical Science at Nottingham Trent University and graduated in 2021. She’s living and working in the UK, thanks to the Graduate Route.

What other types of visas are there?

There are lots of options available for international graduates looking to stay in the UK after they finish their studies. You may decide that another visa may better suit your situation. Visit GOV.UK to learn more about your options.

Where can I learn more?

Learn more about the Graduate Route on GOV.UK. You can also view the UK government's Graduate Route guide (PDF, 1.5MB) for more information on how to apply.

More information on visa’s.

Returning to home country

In choosing to study at a UK university you have already made a decision that will likely have a positive impact on your future employability. Your qualification will be highly respected in your home country and employers will value many of the qualities, skills and knowledge you will have gained through studying in the UK. However, the market is still competitive. Before you graduate and return to your home country there are some practical things you can do to increase your employability:

1. Prepare your CV according to the structure and content that is expected in your home country. Make sure you consider not only your qualifications, but the skills and experience you can offer having lived and studied in the UK and how you can market these to future employers.
2. Start researching employers and perhaps create a database of jobsites and/or company list where you can search for opportunities.
3. If you have undertaken any part-time work or completed any work placements in the UK, make sure you explore the possibility of gaining an employer reference and have up-to-date contact details for any employers you have worked with.
4. Ensure you have up-to-date contact details for academic staff, should you require an academic reference when applying for jobs.
5. Share your contact details (and if appropriate your CV) with people that form part of your network both in the UK and your home country.
6. Search for professional associations for the area of work that interests you in your home country.
7. Search business directories for your home country.
8. Check foreign professional journals and newspaper websites that often have vacancies pages.
9. Use social media (e.g LinkedIn) and Cumbria Network to research previous alumni who have returned to their home countries for employment and get networking with them.
10. Attend graduate recruitment fairs both in your home country, where possible, and in the UK as some international UK companies will have overseas offices.
11. Make use of the internet, particularly to search for organisations you are interested in working for as the majority will have their own ‘vacancies’ or ‘careers’ pages.
12. Read this article from TARGET Jobs ‘Tips for international students seeking work outside the UK’ 

The UKCISA website lists some practical steps in preparing to return home, such as travel, notification of departure, and refunds and deposits.

Top Tips for Job Searching in your home country.

• Search for professional associations for the area of work that interests you in your home country.
• Search business directories for your home country.
• Check foreign professional journals and newspaper websites that often have vacancies pages.
• Use social media (e.g LinkedIn) and Cumbria Network to research previous alumni who have returned to their home countries for employment and get networking with them.
• Attend graduate recruitment fairs both in your home country, where possible, and in the UK as some international UK companies will have overseas offices.
• Make use of the internet, particularly to search for organisations you are interested in working for as the majority will have their own ‘vacancies’ or ‘careers’ pages.
• Read this article from TARGET Jobs ‘Tips for international students seeking work outside the UK’