International students, we can help!

Access tailored support at the Careers Service

Finding a job, internship or placement as an international student is challenging, regardless of whether you are looking at opportunities based within or outside of the UK. The process can feel overwhelming so we’ve compiled a few of your commonly asked questions to get you started.

What does my Careers Service offer?

• A wide variety of appointments, including mock interviews, available online and in-person;
• Access to exclusive online resources;
• Employer events – careers fairs, industry panels, recruitment presentations – throughout the year;
• Seminars and workshops to improve your careers skills;
• An online jobs board with hundreds of current vacancies;
• And a dedicated website with up-to-date guidance for every aspect of your professional journey!

Can I work alongside my studies?

Most international students can work part-time, up to 20 hours a week, during term time and work full-time during vacations. Please note that different rules apply to postgraduate students when working during the summer. There may also be restrictions as to the type of work you are allowed to do. International Student Support have a great webpage dedicated to this, Work rules during your studies.

Equally important is making sure that you have the time and mental capacity to take on part-time work. Courses at Imperial are intensive; it’s important to also have time where you can relax and take care of your mental health.

Who can I talk to about my visa?

Our careers consultants are not qualified to provide immigration advice, including any visa-related questions. The International Student Support team have a detailed series of webpages dedicated to visas and immigration. They can also be reached at international@imperial.ac.uk or in-person at the Student Hub.

If you would like to make a career plan based on your visa status and where you would like to work, our team are happy to help! You can book an appointment via JobsLive.

Where can I find international opportunities? 

Many global organisations are registered with and post vacancies on JobsLive. You can also find a list of international jobs boards on our Working outside the UK webpage.

As a student at Imperial, you have access to GoinGlobal. This exclusive online resource is home to over 40 different country guides and 50 different city guides teaching you how to find jobs, which professional networks you can join and what the visa requirements are. Alumni can also access GoinGlobal while their Imperial email address is still active.

Where can I find UK-based jobs?

Again, don’t forget to check JobsLive! All vacancies will state explicitly whether the employer is willing to sponsor a visa (should that be necessary for the role) to save you from applying needlessly.

Be sure to make the most of Student Circus, a platform designed exclusively for international students looking for work in the UK. It has a jobs board with skilled worker visa opportunities, immigration advice and an ‘Ignition Hub’ which provides you access to panel events, workshops and blogs. Alumni can also access Student Circus while their Imperial email address is still active.

No matter what stage you are at with your career, we’re here to support you. For more information, please see our International students webpage.

If you have any questions, you can reach us at careers@imperial.ac.uk, on +44 (0)20 7594 8024 or by visiting us on Level 5 of the Sherfield Building.