Options for International Students

www.sunderland.ac.uk/ces

Rob Hunt - Careers and Employability Service Cheryl Klein - Students Union

• A briefing exploring work options after your studies

Content

• Intro to session• Visas for work in the UK • Strategies for getting work experience in the

UK• Going global – exploring worldwide

opportunities• Alumni destinations – how you can help

Work in UK

• The UK has been seen as a good place to gainexperience of work

• The changing UK labour market and Visa policy will make it increasing hard for students seeking

opportunities for post study work • Students will need to consider global options

Work in UK

Current Visa options

• The visa available currently include: Tier 1 PSW and Tier 2

• From April 2012 there will be no Tier 1 PSW

• Always check current Visa situation

Tier 1 - Post Study Work

Tier 1 PSW Not available from April 2012

• No employer sponsor or work offer required

• Points based• Up to 2 years

Other Tier 1

No clear information on any changes from April 2012

• Tier 1 Exceptional Talent, (General), Entrepreneur and Investor

• Points based• Up to 2 years (+ possible extension 2 – 3 years)

Tier 2No clear information on any changes from April

2012

• Requires an employer to sponsor• Points based• Up to 2 years (possible extension 2-3 years)• Successful applications allowed in UK capped

Where to get information

For information and advice about Visa’s:

www.ukcisa.org.uk

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

• Students Union – Cheryl Klein

Ways of getting experience

• Before April 2012 Tier PSW

• After this ways might include getting experience during your course through volunteering, paid projects or placement

• Tier 2 will be the main route for post study work in the UK

Strategies for UK

• Consider the skills you offer potential employers

• Prepare for potential concerns employers

may have, including questions about visa’s

Find employers that have sponsored Tier 2

• Search UKBA site: register Tier 2 sponsors

Strategies for UK

• Save online pdf file register of sponsors

• Use advanced search on the PDF (Shift+Cntrl+F)

• Use a keyword to

search for companies

Other resources and strategies

• Explore companies in your home country that operate in the UK

• UK Chambers of Commerce in your home country may have an online directory of members

Strategies for UK and Global

Use social/professional networks

Linked In / Twitter• Promote yourself• Search companies/groups/contacts• Search Alumni• Network with individuals in related

roles

Strategies for UK and Global

Linked In Create a profile: • Detail education,

experience, skills

• Join groups related to careers of interest

www.linkedin.com

Strategies for UK and Global

Linked In

Use the advanced search option to find companies, people or groups

to build a network of contacts

www.linkedin.com

www.linkedin.com

Job Search for UK

Graduate vacancies

• www.sunderland.ac.uk/ces

• Use job profiles at www.prospects.ac.uk to find sector/specialist sites

• Try careers service vacancy sites in your preferred region www.prospects.ac.uk

Going Global Information resource for global opportunities:

• Jobs and internships across 54 countries• 450,000 company listings from 150 countries• 32 in depth country guides

Access from any university PC.Then create your own account to view anywhere online.

www.sunderland.ac.uk/cesCES home page > students > about graduate jobs > international students

Where can you find us?Careers and

Employability ServiceThe Gateway, City

Campus Monday – Thursday 9am – 6pmFriday 9am – 5pm

(9am to 5pm during vacations)

Tel: 0191 5152920