Employability and Careers for International Students

Find our dedicated support, resources and advice for International students looking to increase their Employability here at Nottingham Trent University.

Welcome to NTU! As an international student, you are welcome and encouraged to use all the careers resources available on MyEmployability. We also know that at times you may want or need resources and support that are specific to international students. You will be able to find that support on this page. If you need help at any stage, please remember to contact us here or book an appointment today.

Things you need to know:

You can find all our employability resources, including job opportunities, events, initiatives, CV and interview resources and more on MyEmployability (you will need to be enrolled as an NTU student to access these).
Finding work in the UK can be difficult for both home and international students. As an international student, you may find that recruitment practices and timeframes vary from those in your home country, and employers may be uncertain about the rules around student/graduate visas.
We recommend famaliarising yourself with the UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) website on the rules around working as a student and working after your studies.
You can find full information on visas and immigration at UKVI. While the Employability team can't give advice on visas, we are here to help you throughout the job search process.
We deliver employability related sessions within your timetable, run optional workshops and initiatives and offer one-to-one guidance or support, whether you need someone to look at a job application or are unsure where to start.
It is never too early (or too late) in your course to speak to the Employability team.

The Employability team told me how I can improve my CV. In addition, job hunting skills are really useful and I now know many websites to help me find jobs.
Yongtai Huang, MA Illustration - China

How can the Employability team support international students?

Each academic school has dedicated members of the Employability team to support you through your time at NTU, from your first day, through to graduation and beyond.
We deliver sessions within your course and can support you with job applications, interview preparations, gaining experience, exploring career options and more.
You will find our central bank of resources on MyEmployability. Each school also has subject/industry specific careers advice, job hunting tools and labour market information. This can be found on the NTU Online Workspace (NOW) once you have enrolled.
Alongside our international student focused workshops delivered in conjunction with Student Circus and Paragon Law, we also run a programme of "How to..." workshops throughout the academic year.
You can find out more about these and book your place by visiting MyEmployability.

I'm here to share gratitude for I've received offers (for PG study) from NTU so now it's up to me to fulfil the recommendations...
Sahaanaa, BA Fine Art

Websites and resources for international students and for working overseas

At NTU, we work with several partner organisations to ensure the success of our international students, whether that is here in the UK, in your home country or elsewhere in the world.
You can access a range of resources and see advertised sponsored job opportunities through Student Circus. Student Circus also deliver two workshops each academic year, specifically for international students, to support you on your career journey.
We also work with Paragon Law, who host "International student visa workshops" for our students. You can book onto these workshops via MyEmployability.

Upcoming Workshops

Student Circus - Simplifying your job search for international students in the UK (October - date tbc)
Paragon Law - Working in the UK after your studies, visa workshop (November - date tbc)
Student Circus - Networking for job success (February - date tbc)
Paragon Law - Visa workshop (April - date tbc)

NTU Global also run several events throughout the year. Don't miss out on the annual Global Week!

Found an employer you want to apply to and aren't sure if they are likely to sponsor an international student? Check out the Student Circus sponsorship checker tool.

What can't NTU Employability help with?

We can't give advice on visas, but we do have a fantastic International Student Support Service who can.
We can't guarantee to secure you a job, but we are here to guide you through every step of the process, whether that's finding out what jobs you can do with your degree, sourcing opportunities, preparing for interviews and beyond. You can find graduate, placement and part-time jobs all advertised on MyEmployability and our Employability offer continues after you graduate. Take a look at our Employability Promise.

Through the employability portal, I booked sessions with Housna, where she helped me completely rethink my CV, my job search strategy, and how I was approaching interviews...
ManJuantha SK, MSc Data Science

We won't write your CV and / or cover letter for you, but we will give you feedback on these, provide resources and examples and put on workshops that will guide you though the process. You can access our CV resources including CV examples, CV building tool and CV 360 for instant feedback all on MyEmployability.
Once you have worked through these resources, why not book an appointment for a 15-minute CV review with a friendly member of our team?
We won't tell you what to do! Each student's career journey is unique to them. We will listen to you and provide tools to help you explore what options are available to you. If you are unsure about your options or next steps, book a 30-minute careers coaching appointment.

The Employability team has been really helpful with CV guidance, improving my LinkedIn profile and career advice. It's reassuring to have that support while preparing for the future.
Riddhi Lohiva, BA International Fashion Business 1 year top up - India

Careers Terminology:

Some of the terminology we use may not be the same as that used in your home country. This handy guide below contains some definitions which should help

Employability

Sometimes known as "careers" - Employability is a lifelong process about what you know, what you can do and who you are as a person. Building on your capabilities, personal qualities and knowledge to be ready to gain skilled employment, and for your continuing success in your future life, work or study after NTU. You may hear about opportunities to "boost your employability". This will generally mean getting involved in activities and events that will either add skills / experience to your CV, or increase your confidence and awareness of opportunities.

CV

Also known as a "resume" in some countries, a CV (or Curriculum Vitae) provides a concise overview of your experiences so far. This may include education, work experience, volunteering, employer led projects at university and more. We will often encourage you to "tailor your CV" when applying for different jobs and opportunities. This just means to adapt your CV for different applications depending on the role and requirements of the employer. Don't worry - the Employability team can help you with this! You can access our online CV resource or speak to a member of the team for a CV review

*If you are applying for opportunities outside of the UK, Student Circus and GoinGlobal both have guides for CV / resume requirements and expectations in different countries.

Careers Fair

We run several careers fairs throughout the year. Details are available on MyEmployability. The careers fairs are an opportunity to meet with employers and find out more about the placements and graduate roles they have are advertising. Think of these as a way to find out information and speak to employers. You will still need to apply for any roles you are interested in - job offers won't be made at the fairs! You can attend one of our How to prepare for any fair workshops to help you make the most of the events.

Networking

You may hear us talk about the importance of "networking". This is essentially just talking to and / or connecting with people! This may happen in person, for example at a careers fair or industry events. It can also happen online using platforms including LinkedIn. Networking can be an incredibly valuable element to your career journey, but don't worry if it seems daunting at first. We are here to help you take those first steps.

Graduate Scheme

These are structured training programmes specifically for recent graduates that last between one and three years. They tend to be with larger employers who recruit in high numbers. Applications can be very competitive and normally open from September onwards for a start date the following summer. If you want to apply for a graduate scheme you need to be prepared early on in your final year and make sure to attend our careers fairs! It is important to remember that there are many other graduate level roles that don't fall under the "graduate scheme" category and can be just as valuable in terms of experience. You will find many graduate opportunities advertised through MyEmployability.

Placement

The exact meaning of this can vary from course to course, but for undergraduates will often refer to a year-long "sandwich" role between your second and final year of study that is an assessed part your course (do check your own course requirements though as there are variables to this!) You may also hear about "summer placements", "internships" and "work experience". In most cases, finding a placement is a student-led activity. However, the Employability team is here to help you throughout the process. You can find out more about the different types of placements on MyEmployability

Bootcamp

Occasionally you may hear or see the term "bootcamp" relating to employability activities (E.g. "Online Commercial Awareness Bootcamp"). This tends to refer to a short, intensive programme or workshop aimed at building a skill and / or awareness of a specific area.

How to make the most of your time at NTU

Get involved early! A good place to start is with our "Welcome to Employability for International Students" module.
Use the resources available through NTU Employability. These include online resources at MyEmployability, bookable appointments, events, and opportunities.
Come along to our Careers Fairs (the first is in October) to find out more about some of the graduate and placement opportunities that are available to apply to.
Check out our events page for dates of the Student Circus and Paragon Law sessions for international students (final dates to be announced).
Be curious, ask questions and remember - it is never too early or too late to speak to use. We look forward to seeing you.

As an International student, the UK job market has extra layers from visa sponsorship, employer awareness and knowing which companies are open to hiring internationally. These aren't thngs you figure out alone...
Manjuantha SK, MSc Data Science