International students
If you are an international student and want to find more about further study or about job and career opportunities, you can visit us in the Student Employment, Experience and Careers Centre to investigate the various sources of information we hold. However we do have some useful links on this website that can help in career planning.
Reading Inspire - Mentoring Program
Reading Inspire is the Student Employment, Experience and Careers Centre's mentoring program for international students. It aims to enhance your confidence and improve your employability skills.
Student Stories
Have you recently arrived in the UK? Are you wondering how other international students settle into UK higher education or how they feel about their time here? Then why not try the Student Stories website? Here you can access a range of interviews with international students studying at different UK institutions; the students talk honestly and openly about what they enjoy about studying in the UK and what they find difficult about being away from home.
Working in the UK
If you are planning to work in the UK after graduation and are not from an EEA (European Economic Area) country you will need to check whether you are eligible to work. The Student Advice Centre in Membership Services, located in the Students' Union Building, can advise on this issue.
Working back home
Most international students return to their home country after their studies here. We do have some information on job hunting techniques that may be applicable to your circumstances, such as Country Files that detail facts and information about different countries. Careers Advisers can certainly advise you on aspects of your career planning such as helping with you with your interview skills and writing of applications.
International job search from the UK
If you are planning to work outside of the UK after your course here, then you will need to look at several considerations. If it is a country that requires you to take a visa, you must check requirements.
Useful links
Work permits
- UK Border Agency - a division of the Home Office that deals with immigration applications including student status and granting leave to remain in the UK.
General advice for international students:
- Prospects - careers site with information about working and studying in other countries.
- British Council
- Grants for Individuals - awards to study in the UK for international students.
- Education UK - features welfare information, links to colleges and universities and other information about coming to the UK to study.
- Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the UK - provides information for international students thinking of studying in the UK including UK university rankings, funding information and what it's like to be a student in the UK.
- Immigration Advisory Service - a charity giving free advice on the immigration status of individuals.
- National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) - provides information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with those from the UK.
- UKCISA - promotes educational mobility and provides advice, information and support to international students.
