International Students
Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/support-and-resources/tailored-information/international-students/
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UK Work Culture ProgrammeUK Work Culture ProgrammeWhat we offerWorking while studyingWorking in the UK after your studiesWork for yourselfReturning to your home countryMaking applicationsChina Career GatewayInternational Student Pathway
On this page
On this page
UK Work Culture ProgrammeUK Work Culture ProgrammeWhat we offerWorking while studyingWorking in the UK after your studiesWork for yourselfReturning to your home countryMaking applicationsChina Career GatewayInternational Student Pathway
UK Work Culture Programme
Gain an insight into what it’s like to work in the UK through our UK Work Culture Programme.
Finding work in the UK after completing your studies can be an exciting opportunity—but it also comes with unique challenges.
This programme is an exclusive opportunity for international students to gain experience on a live employer challenge and learn about:
- working in the UK from an employer’s perspective
- navigating the UK job market
- making relevant applications
- building networks
Our UK Work Culture Programme will offer international students the opportunity to gain insight from international alumni, Careers Service staff and Ezoic - an award‑winning tech company which uses AI to help publishers optimise their websites
Programme details
This year's UK Work Culture Programme will take place on campus on Monday 23 March and Wednesday 25 March.
During the programme you’ll get the chance to:
- find out about work culture from a UK employer
- gain experience working on a live employer challenge as part of a team
- ask questions and network with international alumni
- learn more about navigating the UK job market
As part of the programme, you’ll be enrolled into the UK Work Culture Programme Teams Group. You’ll be given a step-by-step guide to preparing for the programme, ensuring you make the most of your experience.
After you’ve completed the programme, you’ll reflect on your experience and learn about more ways to boost your skills and experience.
Benefits of taking part
- Discover what it’s like to work for an innovative UK employer
- Hear from alumni now settled in the North East with a UK career
- Stand out from the competition, through taking part in a team challenge
- Boost your CV with the insight and experience you’ve gained
- Develop contacts which could be useful for future opportunities
- Gain confidence in arranging further experiences
- Learn to reflect on your experience and practise your presentation skills
- Find out about how to navigate the UK job market as an international student
Eligibility
All international students at Newcastle University are eligible to apply.
To take part, you must be available to be in Newcastle between 09:00-17:00 on both days of the programme, Monday 23 March and Wednesday 25 March.
How to apply
Applications will open on Monday 16 February and close at midnight on Sunday 1 March.
You’ll fill in our online form, telling us why you have applied for the experience as well as what you hope to gain from the programme. We’ll then be in touch to let you know if you’ve secured a place on the programme and enrol you into our Teams group.
Due to the number of applications we receive, unfortunately we are unable to offer individual feedback if your application is unsuccessful.
Find out more
If you have any further questions about the programme, get in touch with us at UKWorkVisit@ncl.ac.uk
What we offer
You can benefit from all of the careers resources and activities we offer. Use our service throughout your studies and for up to three years after you graduate.
This includes the following tailored support:
Use the information below to start exploring your options and applying for opportunities.
Working while studying
Working while studying is a great way to:
- gain experience
- earn extra money
- develop your skills
- practice your English
- meet new people
If you've never worked in the UK before, the following information can help you get started.
Restrictions and visas
Work restrictions
As an international student you may have restrictions on:
- the numbers of hours you can work
- the type of work that you can do while you study
It’s very important for you to check for any restrictions before applying for jobs.
Student Progress explain these restrictions in their guide to working while studying.
Visas
The Careers Service is not authorised to give any advice on work permits and visas.
Contact the Visa Team if you have any questions or concerns about your visa.
You can also explore resources from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). They offer information and advice about working in the UK during your studies.
National Insurance
It's likely that you will be asked for your National Insurance (NI) number when applying for jobs.
This is your personal account number for working in the UK. It ensures that any National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded.
If you haven’t got a National Insurance number, you can apply for one online at Gov.uk.
After applying, you will be asked to prove your identity. This could involve:
- sending your documents to be checked
- attending an in-person appointment
It can take several weeks to get your number, after you have proven your identity.
You can legally work in the UK without your NI number. However it is something most employers will ask for and expect you to have.
Proving your right to work in the UK
Employers are required by law to see evidence of your right to work in the UK before they can employ you.
This can involve looking at identity documents such as your:
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Passport
Fill in the Gov.uk Prove your right to work to an employer form to receive a unique sharecode which you can give to employers.
Not all employers use this system, but it can speed up the recruitment process if an employer asks for it.
Finding opportunities
We offer many resources for students interested in working while studying:
- see part-time jobs for resources to help you find work while you study
- find out about opportunities on campus
- attend our part-time job workshops for international students during September and October
- apply for one of our term-time or vacation internships
- discover work experience opportunities
- consider volunteering
- learn about graduate skills and how you can develop them at Newcastle University
You can also read targetjobs' guide to job hunting for international students.
How to find a part-time job in the UK
Attend one of our part-time job workshops or watch our YouTube guide to discover more about finding a part-time job. Find out:
- current part-time work regulations and entitlement
- where to look for jobs you can do while you study
- schemes we run to help you find part-time jobs
Working in the UK after your studies
If you are thinking of working in the UK after your studies it might help to:
- understand your visa options
- know where and how to look for opportunities
Use the information below to help you get started.
Understanding your visa options
Before applying for graduate jobs in the UK, explore UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Check this site regularly as government regulations are subject to continuous change.
The University Visa Team can help you understand immigration routes into graduate employment. They offer:
- a monthly workshop in partnership with the Careers Service
- a detailed guide to the Graduate route
The Careers Service is not authorised to give advice on work permit or visa applications.
Further information on immigration and visas
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is an excellent source of information. They provide:
- an up-to-date breakdown of options for switching from a student visa to a work visa within the UK
- details of the Skilled Worker route for sponsored skilled work
- guide to the Graduate route
For the most up-to-date visa guidance, go to Gov.uk.
Finding opportunities
There are many resources to help you find opportunities to work in the UK after you graduate.
To get started, see our graduate jobs and explore occupations web pages. The resources on our website are for all students to access, regardless of nationality.
You also have the option to work for yourself after you graduate. Our START UP team can offer advice and support for anyone wanting to develop a business idea in the UK.
Student Circus
Student Circus is an online job search platform dedicated to international students.
Search their platform for graduate job opportunities from employers willing to sponsor the Skilled Worker visa. Employers include KPMG, Deutsche Bank, McKinsey & Company, Land Rover, Siemens and many more.
To access these vacancies, register with Student Circus using your @ncl email address. \ \ If you're aNewcastle graduate from the last 3 yearslog into MyCareer. Click on the Resources tab in the top right hand corner and select Student Circus - Graduate Access. Register with them and log in.
Other relevant schemes and resources:
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) - partnerships between a business, a graduate and an academic institution. These paid projects last between 1-3 years. They welcome applications from international graduates. View current opportunities.
- 80,000 hours - jobs board for careers with a positive global impact. Includes a filter to confirm the employer can sponsor visas.
Guides:
- targetjobs - guide to job hunting for international students
- Prospects - work in the UK
Register of licensed sponsors
With the Graduate route option, you don’t need to be sponsored by an employer to work in the UK.
If you’re interested in the Skilled Worker route, you may want to know whether an employer can sponsor your visa. The Home Office Register of licensed sponsors lists all current visa sponsors.
When using this register, be aware that organisations may only offer sponsorship for:
- experienced hires, not recent graduates
- specific roles
- some of their offices, not across the UK
- internal transfers, not new entrants
If an organisation is on the list, it means they have previously, or are currently, sponsoring a migrant worker. It is not necessarily a commitment to sponsor in the future.
If an organisation is not on the list, you could still apply to work for them.
Targeting the right employer
Newcastle University students and graduates have free access to eCareersGrad until 30 June 2026.
Use the platform to find out which UK employers routinely sponsor for UK graduate schemes and job opportunities
eCareersGrad gives you access to
- profiles of 300+ employers who sponsored the most international applicants over the last three years
- a database of sponsorship history of every UK company
- case studies, interactive guides and strategies for sourcing UK jobs
Find out more about what eCareersGrad can offer (2 minute video).
How to access eCareersGrad:
Log in to MyCareer and click on the Resources tab in the top right hand corner. You'll find eCareersGrad listed under 'Jobs and Vacancies'.
Job search tips
Try to start your job search as early as possible. Deadlines for students requiring a sponsored visa are sometimes earlier than general deadlines.
Watch our 10 minute video on enhancing your chances in the UK graduate job selection process.
You could consider including information about sponsorship in your application. For more information, see Gov.uk: UK visa sponsorship for employers.
See Making Applications below for information about how to:
- present international qualifications on UK applications
- improve your English communication skills
Work for yourself
You are not able to be self-employed or engage in business activity while studying on a Student Visa.
After you graduate, the Graduate Route visa allows you to work self-employed in the UK. There are some exceptions. For example, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
Visit UKCISA for information about the different routes available.
If you're interested in working for yourself after you graduate, the Careers Service can support you in the following ways:
- discover what makes a good business idea and how to come up with one
- learn how to test and improve your business idea
Book an online START UP appointment
Returning to your home country
Our 15 minute video on returning to your home country covers:
- how to market your international experience
- how to plan and research international opportunities and recruitment processes
- what to expect when you return home and how to prepare for this
Use the following resources for information about finding work in your home country, or worldwide:
- International Jobs
- GoinGlobal
- GradLink UK
- LockinChina - jobs for graduates and students returning home to China for work. Includes vacancies specifically targeted at Newcastle University students/graduates
- Return & Connect - jobs and networking platforms for Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian students and alumni
- Leaving the UK (UKCISA)
- Prospects: Working abroad
Making applications
International students face the same criteria as UK students when applying for work experience, jobs or courses.
It's important to think about what sets you apart from other applicants. For example:
- being multi-lingual
- commercial insight into your home country or regional markets
- global perspective
- previous work experience in your home country
Comparing international qualifications to UK qualifications
When making applications in the UK, you may be asked about qualifications such as:
- UCAS points
- GCSEs
- A-levels
- Bachelors degree
- Master's degree
These qualifications form part of the UK National Qualification Framework (NQF).
If you need to find out what level the qualifications from your home country compare to on the NQF, contact UK ENIC. They are the only official provider of international qualification comparability in the UK.
UK ENIC can’t tell you how your grades compare to the grade system of equivalent UK qualifications. They could tell you whether your qualifications can be compared to A-levels, for example, but not how many UCAS points they are worth.
Presenting international qualifications on UK applications
When making applications we recommend that you present your qualifications as they are.
Organisations set their own criteria regarding international qualifications and the grades they accept. You don't need to work out the UK equivalent qualification yourself.
To get an idea of whether you can apply, look for:
- online guides from large graduate recruiters. For example, Deloitte have an International Academic Requirements web page
- qualification guides from universities. For example, you could select the 'Entry Requirements' tab on Newcastle University's Find Your Country tool
If you're unsure whether your qualifications meet the requirements, contact the employer or academic institution. They should be able to tell you:
- whether they would accept your qualifications and
- how to present them on their application form
English communication skills
Employers in the UK expect international applicants to demonstrate a good level of written and spoken English.
There are many ways you can improve your English communication skills while studying.
Tutorials
Access virtual one-to-one tutorials and group sessions through the In-Sessional English Language programme. You can ask for advice on the language and structure of your CV and cover letter.
Self study
The Language Resource Centre offers a range of self-study online and distance learning resources. These include:
- World TV and Film streaming platform, with a vast English section
- e-Tandem Partnerships where people can post about their languages, their requirements and find a partner.
- access to Clarity English software packages and others
- listening skill materials from the British Council, BBC, and EAP
Conversational English
The following ideas and activities could help you practice and improve your conversational English.
- Take time to practise with friends. It can be tempting to speak to classmates from your home country in your own language, but try speaking to them in English. The more you practise, the more confident you will feel.
- Consider finding a part-time job, try volunteering, join a sports club or student society.
- The Globe Café run weekly sessions in Jesmond for international students to make friends with UK volunteers. They also run free English language classes.
China Career Gateway
143,200 Chinese students were enrolled on UK courses in 2024/25. Every year many Chinese students will return to China after studying overseas.
After participating in China Career Gateway, I feel fulfilled and confident for my future career.
Previous China Career Gateway participant
How can you stand out from the competition?
Join our exclusive career development programme for Chinese students studying at Newcastle University.
China Career Gateway is delivered as a four-week programme and offers a combination of in-person and online sessions. The programme is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate Chinese students or students interested in working in China.
China Career Gateway aims to help you:
- understand the graduate job market in the UK and China
- learn how to make effective applications for graduate roles in the UK and China
- connect with Newcastle University graduates. Hear about their experiences in finding employment in the UK and China after university
The 2025/26 programme took place in semester 1 and gave participants the opportunity to:
- join live sessions to connect with Chinese alumni and employers
- receive Newcastle University’s China Career Gateway certificate
If you're registered as a Newcastle University student in academic year 2025/26, you can continue to access the content.\ \
Access China Career Gateway 2025/26
International Student Pathway
Our International Student Pathway covers careers information you need to know about as an international student.
You'll find resources and activities that cover all stages of your journey, in one convenient place!
Key activities
The pathway can help you:
- learn about National Insurance and working entitlement during your studies
- discover where to find work experience and part-time job opportunities
- understand how to write a UK-style CV and how to receive feedback on your applications
- find out more about working in the UK after you graduate, with information on the Graduate, Skilled Worker and Start Up immigration routes
- understand how the Careers Service can support you if you’re searching for opportunities outside the UK
How to access the pathway
To access the pathway:
- login to MyCareer and select “search” then “pathways”
- click ‘Status’ then select ‘Available’ to find the International Student Pathway
- click on Start Now to begin. Complete the short registration form in the introduction to get started
You don’t need to do all the activities listed. Select which ones you want to do and work through them at your own pace, in any order.
You can return to the Pathway and continue working through the activities at any time.