Career and Further Study for International Students

This section is intended to help international students currently studying in the United Kingdom who are beginning to think about what to do after their degree. We have attempted to cover many of the questions we, as careers advisers, are asked by international students.

Please note that this information is not intended for graduates who have already returned home, as different procedures for organising courses/grants or employment/work permits may apply.

Part-time/vacation work and international students

Many international students are keen to find work of some nature in the UK, either during or immediately following their course of study. Those that do not require a work permit in order to work include the following:
Nationals of the European Economic Area (at the time of writing this constituted the 15 countries of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and their families;

Commonwealth citizens who can demonstrate UK ancestry, i.e. who have a grandparent born in the UK and islands;

Gibraltarians;

Dependants of students who have been given at least twelve months leave to remain;

Dependents of work permit holders;

Persons with indefinite leave to remain;

Dependents of refugees and those granted exceptional leave to remain.

If you do not fall into one of these categories, whether or not it is possible for you to work, either on a paid or voluntary basis, will depend upon the kind of stamp which was put in your passport when you entered the UK. There are two kinds of stamp:

Restriction: the one most commonly granted to students and which means you can work only if you obtain permission from the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE).

Prohibition: which means you cannot work under any circumstances.
If your passport contains a 'Prohibition' stamp you can apply to the Home Office to have it altered to 'Restriction'.

If your passport does not have either of these stamps then this probably means that you are free to work but always ask an experienced adviser in your institution before you start working. Note that there is a limit to the type of work you may be considered for.

You should be aware that taking work (including voluntary work) without permission can lead to prosecution, a fine or prison sentence. You could face deportation and not be allowed to continue your studies. As a result of a provision in the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 many employers are likely to want to see one of a range of documents before taking on all new employees, including British citizens and EEA nationals. Those students who do not require a work permit in order to work may need to show their passport, travel document or other document issued by the Home Office which confirms their freedom to work.

Teaching and Demonstrating in Academic Departments

All students can undertake up to six hours per week teaching or demonstrating work in their institution without needing permission from the DfEE. To find out what opportunities exist speak with academic staff. Please note that at the time of going to print, changes in regulations were announced allowing earnings from such work to be taken into account when students apply for leave to enter or remain. This applies to research students in particular.

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More on part-time and vacation work

With effect from 21 June 1999 international students will no longer need clearance from a JobCentre before taking vacation or out-of-study work. However, you will need to obtain a National Insurance number (available from the Contributions Agency at your local Social Security Office).

Most international students finding part-time or vacation work take casual posts, e.g. in restuarants, bars, etc. Course-related vacation work is very difficult to find and may be easier to locate in your home country.

During term-time you will not be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week (your Student Employment Service/Job Shop Code of Practice may recommend working fewer hours). Students can work full-time in vacations.

Practical Training whilst on a Course

With effect from 21 June 1999 sandwich course students from overseas will no longer need a work permit for their work placements.

If you have any queries about vacation and part-time work please contact your careers service at your University, student employment service, the international student officer or your Student Advice Centre.

Staying in the UK after studies

International students studying in the UK do so on condition that they intend to return home/abroad on completion of their studies (unless they are from the European Economic Area or have been able to change their immigration status from 'student' to, for example, refugee). It is very difficult for international students to get permission to remain permanently in the UK after completing their studies. However, some students may find that they are able to extend their stay in one of the following ways:

Training and work experience
Holidays
Marriage
Children
The 10/14 year concession
Registration and naturalisation

Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
Students who wish to obtain professional training or work experience need a permit under the provisions of the Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES).
Full details are given in the leaflet WP2 (notes) available from the
DfEE Overseas Labour Service. http://www.dfee.gov.uk/ols/

For a Training Permit;
you must have a degree or qualifications equivalent to a UK degree;

you must undertake to return abroad at the end of the agreed period of training;

you will not be allowed to transfer to ordinary employment in the UK once the training period has finished;

the training must lead to a recognised professional or specialist qualification at postgraduate level;

the training should be given for a minimum of 30 hours per week (excluding study) and trainees must be paid the same salary and enjoy the same conditions of employment as a UK or EEA trainee;

the training should be completed in the shortest time possible.

Employers who consider applications for training from overseas nationals will usually be familiar with the procedures. They will have to obtain and complete form WP2 and send it for consideration to the DfEE Overseas Labour Service. http://www.dfee.gov.uk/ols/

For a Work Experience Permit:
the work experience must be related to an applicant's previous employment and/or academic studies and normally be unavailable in their home country;

it is possible to obtain up to 12 months work experience (in very exceptional circumstances this might be extended to 24 months);

the person must be surplus to the employer's normal staffing needs;

the pay and conditions should be no more than those given to a 'resident worker' doing the same kind of work experience;

the work experience should be for a minimum of 30 hours per week
(excluding study);

the employer must provide a detailed programme for the period of work experience.

These regulations do not apply to special categories of students, e.g. those training to be nurses, doctors, dentists.

For a Graduate Training Programme:

the company should have a significant trading presence in Great Britain and abroad;

the employer's intention should be to employ the person overseas at the end of the programme;

the programme should be structured - it should specify the training to be undertaken and the intended learning outcomes for the whole of the programme;

the whole programme should not normally exceed 36 months;

the person should normally have graduated within the previous 24 months;

the programme should be an established part of the company's recruitment and training procedure - if it is not, applications should be made under the work experience part of the scheme.