International students: Your career journey
How you'll get there
Part-time learners, or those not starting their studies in Semester 1, should still follow the journey but adjust the timings to fit the length of your course.
Pre arrival
Before you arrive, you should start to explore your options, and generate ideas about your future career. Think about the country, sector, employers and roles you are interested in.
During studies
At the start of your course
By the time you arrive, you will hopefully have a clearer idea of what you want to do post graduation, though you may not yet know how to achieve it.
Take the following steps during the first year of your course, or in Semester 1 of a one-year postgraduate taught course.
Gain experience
Check your visa for how many hours you can work/volunteer while studying.
Start to explore your options
In the second half of your course
As you approach your final year – or your second semester of a postgraduate taught course – you may feel ready to take concrete steps towards your career goal.
If you don’t feel ready yet, don’t worry. Not all career journeys are linear, and you still have some time to re-think and adapt based on what you have learned so far.
As well as UK graduate roles, this is also a good time to think creatively about other options: further study, returning home or looking elsewhere.
Apply for graduate roles
Apply for direct entry roles, and use your contacts to access the hidden job market. If you haven't already, make sure you're familiar with graduate recruitment timelines.
Most graduates move into graduate entry roles, rather than graduate schemes. International graduates routinely apply for 50+ roles before they are successful, so organisation and persistence are key.
Use our application tracker to record your applications and progress.
After your course
Our support doesn't stop when you graduate. Whether you're seeking a new job, exploring self-employment, or looking to progress in your role - we're here to help.
As part of our York for Life platform, you can connect with alumni around the world, reconnect with those you studied with and find opportunities, courses and support just for our alumni.
