Finding a job in the UK can be challenging if you are an international student studying abroad for the first time. However, it is not very difficult to find your dream job if you have access to the right resources and guidance and know where and what to look for.
Indian students can find part-time work in the UK while studying, work as interns or volunteers with prospective employers, and look for a regular job after graduation. But before working or finding a job in the UK, you need to know about the country's work permit and visa regulations and become aware of the job-hunting resources and the employability and career services available to international students.
Read below to learn more about finding jobs in the UK as an Indian student. If you want help applying to UK universities, consult with expert UK study counsellors at SI-UK today.
Part-time Jobs in the UK
If you are studying in the UK, working on a part-time job is a great way to develop your skills and earn some extra money. You'll also get valuable industry experience, boost your CV, and impress your future employers.
- Sign up with reputable and registered recruitment agencies
- Search university career support services
- Manage your time successfully to create a healthy balance between work and study
- Part-time jobs are a great way to connect with future employers and make new friends
- Before starting a part-time job, carefully consider how much time you want to spend working so your studies don’t suffer. Working 15 hours a week is recommended for students
- Stay organised and ensure that you submit your assignments on time, as the focus should be on getting a university degree
- Don’t let your working hours clash with your lectures
- Leave yourself enough time to socialise, eat properly and sleep enough
Employability and Career Support
Every university in the UK has its own employability and career support services to help students find jobs, internships and part-time work opportunities. Besides placement support services, university career support also provides students with the necessary guidance to prepare for job interviews, make their CV influential, look for the right jobs, develop transferable skills and get valuable career advice.
UK universities have a high graduate employability rate, and most students are employed or in further education within six months of graduation. UK universities have strong industry links with graduate schemes and sponsorships that help interested students find relevant jobs in the UK while studying and after graduation.
Internships and Degree Apprenticeships
Internships and degree apprenticeships are other ways to work as a student in the UK.
Internships
- An internship helps you gain much-needed practical experience, learn new things on the job, and develop networks and connections.
- Internships can help you see if an organisation or a job role suits you and go a long way in helping you find the right job after graduation.
- Internships can be paid or unpaid but work as a test for job roles and career areas of interest.
- Internships typically last 4-12 weeks and are available as summer internships or other short-term internship programmes with large organisations all year.
Degree Apprenticeships
- A degree apprenticeship is a programme offered by universities in which students gain a full bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of their apprenticeship. The apprenticeship combines working with studying part-time at a university.
- These programmes are developed and delivered by employers, universities and professional bodies in partnership.
- Degree apprenticeship programmes for working professionals offered by UK universities may take three to six years to complete.
Work Permit and Visa Regulations in the UK
Work Permit on Student Visa
UK student visa holders can work part-time in the UK as per the following conditions:
- During the course term, those studying at a degree level or more can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week on paid/unpaid jobs
- During vacations, full-time work is allowed for a maximum of 40 hours per week
- Those studying courses at language centres are allowed to work for a maximum of 10 hours per week on paid/unpaid jobs
Graduate Immigration Route for Indian Students
Indian students studying an undergraduate or postgraduate programme in the UK are eligible for post study work visa benefits under the Graduate Immigration Route for international students in the UK, with the following conditions:
- Students must be enrolled for an undergraduate or postgraduate course with an approved higher education institution in the UK
- Upon completing the course, international students can stay in the UK and look for work for up to 2 years
- No minimum salary threshold applies to gaining a work permit under the new Graduate Immigration Route
- STEM PhD students are eligible for an extension on the PSW visa for up to 3-years after graduation
Study and Work in the UK
Studying in the UK can be a huge step towards achieving your dreams and moving ahead in your career, and a free consultation with SI-UK can help you begin the process.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
