The Careers Service can help you plan for your next steps after Imperial, whether you are interested in getting a job or applying for a PhD. This page gives a quick overview of our support for master’s students; our Master’s career journey webpage has more detailed information.

JobsLive, our online portal, will be your most valuable resource for career planning. Use it to book appointments, browse vacancies and register for employer events. When you set up your profile, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive regular updates on competitions, events and on-campus opportunities.

Timescales

The timescales can be tight for master’s students, as many are on one-year courses.

In the UK, many jobs are advertised to final year (undergraduate or postgraduate) students with deadlines as early as October, to start the job a year later after the student has graduated. This means some of you may be applying during the autumn term, when you have only just started your course. 

You may also be considering a PhD. Why not attend one of our To PhD or Not to PhD workshops to help you make your decision? These sessions take place regularly throughout the year; see upcoming events and book your place via JobsLive. Applying in the autumn can maximise your chances of getting funding for a PhD but it's perfectly normal to not be ready to commit to a specific doctoral programme at that stage. For more advice on PhD applications, visit our Further study and funding webpage.

If you need more thinking time, there's no need to rush. The Careers Service is here to support you throughout the academic year and for three years after you graduate. You can find out more through our Services for alumni webpages.

What's on

The Careers Service hosts a wide variety of events for Imperial students and recent alumni.

  • Our Career Masterclasses are seminars designed exclusively for postgraduate master's students. They cover CVs & resumes, interview skills and making the most of your time at Imperial.
  • Our Career Essentials seminars and Career Labs workshops teach you all the professional skills you'll need, including how to write a CV, how to use LinkedIn, how to prepare for interviews and plenty more.
  • We organise employer webinars, presentations, panels and careers fairs throughout the year.

Browse and book onto our events through JobsLive.

Attributes & Aspirations

Attributes & Aspirations (AA) is an interactive online short course that helps you plan your future and build skills that will make you a better student. AA will be available from early September to all master's students in the Faculties of Engineering, Medicine and Natural Sciences.

Don't miss

Make the most of our Careers Library! Browse a wide variety of external publications, learn from our CVs, Cover Letters and Personal Statements guide, and explore our exclusive online resources.

International students

If you are an international student, it is important to know about the visas available if you want to work in the UK after graduation. Check out our International students webpage and connect with the International Student Support Team for further support.