May 13, 2025, by Jackie Thompson

Navigating your post-study career in the UK: A guide for international students

By Bernadette Dooley, Careers Adviser

So, you’ve decided you might want to stay in the UK after your studies to work. That’s great. Here are a few key considerations that you need to think about: understanding your visa options and requirements, where to look for vacancies and how to stand out during the application process.

Visa options and requirements

We understand that getting a sponsored role might be your goal, but it’s not the only option available to you.

Graduate Visa: This allows you to stay and work in the UK for up to two years* after successfully completing your course (three years for PhD graduates) without needing employer sponsorship. You get two years to explore the UK job market and gain work experience. This visa route offers a buffer period while you look for a sponsored role, which can be hard to find right after graduation.  You can also be self-employed or start your own business.

Skilled Worker Visa: For those who have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK. Applicants will need to meet specific salary requirements to qualify.

Global Talent Visa: Designed for highly skilled individuals in fields like science, technology, and the arts.

These are the most common types of visas, but there are others which allow you to work and some which also allow you to be self-employed. For more information on these, visit the UK government website on visas and immigration.  If in doubt, you can contact the university’s Visa and immigration support team.

*This may be subject to change given the recent announcement by the government in the white paper: Restoring control over the immigration system.

Where to look for vacancies

Graduate Visa Route: You can apply for most roles under this visa. Use our resources for finding graduate vacancies. If employers are unsure about this visa, refer them to the government’s guidance for employers which states:

The Graduate route enables international students who have been awarded their degree to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for two years, or three years for doctoral students. It is an unsponsored route, meaning you (employer) do not need a sponsor licence to hire someone with a Graduate visa.

Proposing sponsorship: Many international students, especially those on the Graduate Visa, work with an organisation for a while and then propose the idea of sponsorship. Once you have worked with an employer and proven your skills and cultural fit, they are more open to reviewing sponsorship. Often, employers hesitate to sponsor candidates because they don’t fully understand the sponsorship process, so make sure you know it well to support them.

Sponsored roles: The UK government publishes a list of organisations licensed to sponsor workers on the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes. However, whether they are currently sponsoring or if the organisation only did it at a particular time or for a specific role, is variable. Student Circus lists vetted and verified opportunities from Skilled Worker visa sponsors in the UK. The Target the Right UK Employer module by eCareerGrad looks at which employers sponsored in the last three years. If you see a job advert and are unsure if they sponsor, you can ask; they usually provide contact details.

Networking: Whether in person or online, networking is key to finding those ‘hidden’ job opportunities that are never advertised. Attend as many employer events as you can, both at the university, especially our careers fairs and employer recruitment events, and beyond. Networking via social media is also important. Connect with your existing network (peers, course friends, colleagues, etc.) and extend your network by connecting with companies and industry professionals you admire. Why not connect with recruiters using Student Circus and not wait for them to find you? We recommend creating a complete and detailed LinkedIn profile, if using this platform.

How to stand out during the application process

Perfect your personal branding. Just like businesses use branding to attract customers, you can create a clear professional identity and attract opportunities that match your brand. According to an article in the London Daily News:

 93% of UK hiring managers value candidates that have established a social media or online presence related to their career.

Perfect your application. Don’t be tempted to send generic applications, but spend time tailoring your application, highlighting the skills and experiences that align specifically to the role and the company.

Don’t over rely on AI! Your application needs to have lots of personalisation so it will stand out compared to AI-generated applications. Take a look at our webpage in Using AI in applications. resources.

Utilise the support here at the university

If you have further questions about visas, contact the Visa and immigration support team. If you want to explore which career might suit you, finding and applying for graduate and work experience roles, reach out to us.

You can book an appointment with a careers adviser through MyCareer and also visit our international students webpages which cover topics including graduate jobs and internships in the UK, support with job applications and much more.

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