As an Edge Hill International student, you have access to all the services of Careers. Use our help by subject and help by year pages to explore what support is available.
If you are unclear about whether you are entitled to work in the UK whilst you are studying at Edge Hill, you should contact our International Office for advice.
You will need to be issued with a National Insurance Number before you can start work. Working or volunteering part-time is a good way of developing your skills and contributing to the community.
International students often plan to work in the UK during their studies, however, there are some rules and regulations about whether you are eligible to work.
Before you begin to look for paid or voluntary work, we advise you to check your eligibility with the Centre for International Education
Benefits of working part-time
Graduate employers value work experience gained whilst studying, and a part-time or vacation job can give you the opportunity to:
discover what it is like to work in the UK
gain valuable work experience
develop new skills and improve existing ones such as language skills
Careers can help you with your job search and applications for a job in the UK, however, we cannot advise on visa and immigration issues. Take a look at our part-time jobs section which contains useful information on CV writing and applying for part-time jobs.
Writing a UK CV
Many international students will have an existing CV (curriculum vitae) that works very well for them in their home country. However, many of these CVs are in the style of a résumé and this is very different from the CV that is required by a UK employer.
Main features of a UK CV
A CV is used when applying for a specific job with a specific employer.
It is primarily a marketing document to show an employer how your skills, abilities and experience allow you to do the job you are applying for.
It should be two pages long (this is the maximum length).
It should be tailored to each and every job you apply for by focusing on how well your skills, abilities and experience match that job.
If you would like to work in the UK after your studies it is important that you check the visa regulations. You will need to apply for job opportunities in your final year and also research opportunities in your home country.
The Careers team can help you with your job search and job applications in the UK, however we cannot advise on visa and immigration issues or provide a list of recommended companies who recruit international graduates.
UK Visa and Immigration Tier 5 authorised exchange visa is a temporary visa enabling students to do skilled work for up to a year to gain experience in the UK. Graduates on this visa must be additional to the normal staffing. The visa may not be used to fill a vacancy or replace a member of staff. Visas are approved by a small number of approved organisations on behalf of employers. One example is BUNAC who run an ‘Intern in Britain’ scheme.
Returning home after graduating
Many international students will choose to return home after graduating from their studies in the UK. There may be differences between the graduate recruitment system in your home country and the UK, so you will need to familiarise yourself with the application process, and the methods and timing of graduate recruitment.
Sources of further information
UK Council for International Student Affairs
UK CISA has useful tips to help you prepare to return to your home culture.
GradLinkUK
GradLink UK is the specialist careers website designed for UK-educated students and graduates from Africa, China, India and Malaysia. Search for graduate job opportunities, employer profiles and read tips and advice from graduates who have returned home.
GradLinkAfrica
GradLink Africa is the specialist careers website designed for students and graduates from Africa who are studying at universities across the UK. GradLink Africa currently covers Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, with more countries across the continent being added in the future. It is a useful place for learning about graduate opportunities and connecting with graduate employers across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. The website includes vacancies, graduate profiles, employer contacts, in-depth advice and much more.
GradLinkCanada
www.GradLinkCanada is a specialist careers website designed for Canadian students and graduates across the UK (although it can be used by any students interested in working in Canada). It includes jobs, links with graduate employers in Canada, in-depth advice sections, and the latest news and events relating to the graduate labour markets in Canada. The website also includes the Go-Resume! Service where students can build and submit their resume to the employers on GradLink.
GradLinkChina
GradLink China is the specialist careers website designed for students and graduates (both fresh and experienced) from China who have studied at universities across the UK. It is a useful place for learning about graduate opportunities and connecting with graduate employers across China. The website includes vacancies, graduate profiles, employer contacts, in-depth advice and much more.
GradLinkIndia
GradLink India is the specialist careers website designed for students and graduates from India who have studied at universities across the UK. It is a useful place for learning about graduate opportunities and connecting with graduate employers across India. The website includes vacancies, graduate profiles, employer contacts, in-depth advice and much more.
GradLinkMalaysia
GradLink Malaysia is the specialist careers website designed for students and graduates from Malaysia who are studying at universities across the UK. It is a useful place for learning about graduate opportunities and connecting with graduate employers across Malaysia. The website includes vacancies, graduate profiles, employer contacts, in-depth advice and much more.
GradLinkBangladesh
GradLink Bangladesh is the specialist careers website for students and graduates from Bangladesh who are studying at universities in the UK. GradLink Bangladesh takes the lead in connecting Bangladeshi students and graduates from universities across the UK with graduate employers and opportunities in Bangladesh.
GradLink Gulf
GradLink Gulf is the specialist careers site for students/graduates from the Gulf region who are studying in the UK, linking them with employers and jobs across the Gulf region.
The website is also of interest to any students who would like to explore working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman and more.