Student and Graduate Employment Programmes in the UK for International Students
The United Kingdom boasts a rich tradition of higher education, housing some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. It's not just the high quality of education that draws students to the UK but also the multitude of opportunities available to them post-study. From internships and placements to graduate schemes and jobs, the UK provides many programmes to help students and graduates kick-start their careers. Especially after launching the Graduate visa in 2020, there have been many short and long career opportunities for international students in the UK to enrich their CVs. However, there are many different student and graduate programmes in the UK, and, for many international students, they are alien.
In this article, we explain different employment opportunities for students and graduates in the UK and whether you can apply for them as an international student.
1. Sandwich Placements and Year-in-Industry:
Many UK universities offer courses known as 'sandwich' degrees. These typically involve a student spending one year of their three or four-year course working in an industry relevant to their degree. This is often termed as a 'placement' or 'year-in-industry'. This helps students apply their academic knowledge in real-world situations and gain invaluable work experience, which is highly sought after by future employers.
If you are an international student involved in a sandwich degree, or if your university requires you to complete a placement to graduate, you can often apply for placements as your student visa will cover the period of your placement. Placements often do not sponsor visas for applicants based outside the UK.
Apply for placements here.
2. Internships:
Internships are a fantastic way for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in a particular field. They typically last from a few weeks to a few months and can be paid or unpaid. The primary goal of an internship is to give individuals a taste of the professional world, allowing them to build their CVs, network with professionals, and potentially secure a full-time job.
The majority of the internships from visa-sponsoring companies in the UK are for penultimate-year students. If you are an international student still in university and want to consider internships, you can do so as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Often, summer internships take place during the summer holiday before your final year of study, and your student visa will be able to cover the internship period. There are a small number of companies that offer visa sponsorship for applicants based outside the UK.
However, if you are applying for an internship, which takes place after you graduate, you must have a valid work permit, including a Student visa or Graduate visa, that allows you to work for that period.
Apply for internships here.
3. Graduate Schemes:
Large companies often run graduate schemes. These are structured training programmes that usually last one or two years. They provide graduates with the training, experience, and skills they need to progress into a permanent role. Some of the most popular sectors offering graduate schemes in the UK include finance, engineering, retail, and IT. Companies usually begin their recruitment process early, so students are encouraged to apply in the final year of their studies.
Final-year students or students who have already graduated from a university in the UK or outside the UK can apply for graduate schemes if the scheme provides visa sponsorship. If you are based outside the UK, please tick suitable for applicants based outside the UK box on our website.
Apply for visa-sponsored graduate schemes here.
4. Apprenticeships:
While apprenticeships have traditionally been associated with trades and manual jobs, they have undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The UK now offers higher and degree apprenticeships, allowing students to work, earn, and achieve a higher or degree-level qualification simultaneously. These apprenticeships are provided in collaboration between universities and employers and span sectors from banking to digital marketing.
Apprenticeships are often government-backed backed, and they have strict eligibility criteria. One of such criteria is the applicant must have lived in the UK for at least three years before applying. International students do not meet this requirement and, therefore, won't be eligible to apply.
5. Spring and Summer Insight Programmes:
Many large companies, especially those in the finance and law sectors, offer spring and summer insight programmes for first or second-year university students. These programmes are shorter than typical internships, usually lasting a week or two, but they give students an insight into a specific industry, helping them decide if it's the right fit for them.
International students can apply for such programmes if they meet the eligibility criteria, as their Student visa validity can often cover the programme duration.
6. Temping and Part-time Jobs:
While not exclusively tailored for students and graduates, temporary and part-time jobs are a great way to earn money and gain work experience. Many universities have job shops that advertise part-time roles suitable for students, from campus ambassador roles to retail or hospitality jobs.
While international students can also do part-time jobs using their Student or Graduate visa, it is important to note that there are restrictions on international students' working hours during term time.
The UK provides a diverse range of employment programmes tailored for students and graduates, ensuring they have the skills, experience, and opportunities needed to succeed in their chosen careers. Whether you're a student looking to dip your toes into the professional world or a recent graduate ready to embark on a full-fledged career, there's a programme out there tailored just for you. Remember, early research and proactive application can increase your chances of securing these coveted positions.
