The UK’s rich cultural diversity and global prominence as a financial hub make it an attractive employment destination for many Indian freshers. They’re also attracted by the country’s high salaries, the opportunity to obtain permanent residency, and supportive healthcare and social benefits.
Indian immigrants were among those having the highest average annual earnings in the UK in 2022, occupying many highly-skilled roles. If you’re interested in securing a high-paying job in a country where you have the option of settling permanently, then the UK is a great choice for you.
There are multiple pathways to finding a job in the UK as an Indian fresher after you have completed your university degree and begin to look for your first professional experience. These pathways differ depending on whether you have graduated from a UK university or from an Indian one. In this blog, we provide you with guidance for both options, including information about visas and industries offering visa sponsorships. Read on to learn more!
An overview of the job market in the UK for Indian freshers
Before you look at the job prospects for Indian freshers in the UK, it’s important to know about the different types of jobs in the job market. Knowing this will allow you to understand hiring terms commonly used by recruiters and employers and help you tailor your job applications accordingly.
Here are the three main types of jobs you can apply for in the UK as a fresh graduate:
| Level of Entry | Description | Hiring Period |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | Usually the most junior roles in an organisation, targeting school leavers, undergraduates, or those with limited experience in the field | Year round |
| Graduate scheme | An entry-level training scheme for those with an undergraduate degree, usually lasting one to four years | Summer onwards annually |
| Graduate job | Roles tailored for fresh graduates, aiming to immediately involve you in a specific role or function within an organisation | September to January |
As a fresher – which means you’re looking for your first job out of university – you can apply for any of the above jobs. If you’ve obtained a master’s qualification right after your bachelor’s and have no work experience, then you’re suited for an entry-level or graduate job. Some graduate schemes may hire postgraduate students too, and you can be informed of these through your university’s careers office.
Any one of these types of roles in the UK are great opportunities for you to upskill, build long-lasting industry connections, and explore your passions. There are many more benefits of doing a job in the UK as an Indian fresher – we’ll explore these next.
Benefits of working in the UK as an Indian fresher
The UK’s economic landscape is constantly evolving, changing the outlook of its job market as well. Now, UK employers are focused on providing employees with opportunities to:
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Work remotely
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Upskill and reskill
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Prioritise mental well-being and work-life balance
In addition to this supportive environment, there are a number of benefits for working in the UK as a fresh graduate, such as:
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Diverse work opportunities – The UK’s robust economy boasts of many thriving industries such as healthcare, technology, and finance. You can find a wide variety of job openings in these diverse sectors, allowing you to develop your passions and work in areas of niche interest.
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Inclusive culture – It can be challenging, both socially and logistically, to move to a foreign country for work, but the UK’s multicultural society can help you feel at home. The UK’s Indian community is large, and you can take part in cultural festivities to keep in touch with your roots.
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Rich heritage – The UK has a rich history and culture, making it an exciting place to explore as a foreigner. You can travel around the British Isles to see the unique heritage sites and learn about their history while enjoying local traditions and food.
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High quality of life – The UK boasts high standards of life due to its stable economy, highly developed financial sector, and an excellent education system. The country also provides strong social support for its residents, including healthcare and a good public transport system.
Indian freshers also choose the UK for work due to its thriving industrial and service sectors. These provide ample jobs for fresh graduates, along with great opportunities for career advancement and skill development. Next, let’s explore some of the best sectors in the UK for Indian freshers.
Best sectors in the UK for Indian freshers
There are multiple ways to begin your job hunting process when you’re nearing the end of your course or after graduation. You can search for jobs based on:
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Your course
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A specific sector that interests you
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Location
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Companies reputed for a good work culture
When job hunting, it’s particularly helpful to have a thorough understanding of the different sectors in the UK. This allows you to understand which industries would value your transferable skills, your niche interests, and sector-specific knowledge. Additionally, you can pick an industry that would give you stability and a high pay, that is hiring fresh graduates due to labour shortages, and/or would be able to sponsor your visa to the UK. We have compiled three lists based on these characteristics next.
Fastest-growing sectors in the UK
When job hunting, it’s useful to know which industries are fast-growing and successful so you can join a company offering a high salary, stability, and opportunities for self-development. Below is a list of the fastest-growing industries in the UK:
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It’s also helpful to be aware of which sectors have skills and labour shortages – especially at the graduate level – as this would give you an understanding of employers who are looking for the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree.
Sectors in the UK with labour shortages at the graduate level
In the UK, there are over half a million vacancies at the graduate level across multiple sectors, including in:
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Next, we explore the top sectors in the UK providing visa sponsorship for international applicants.
Top sectors in the UK for visa sponsorship
Obtaining a visa which gives you the right to work in the UK is a crucial step in your job application process. One of the easiest ways of doing this is by securing a job offer in an organisation willing and able to sponsor your visa. With the UK facing talent and skills shortages, many industries are eager to sponsor visas for highly skilled professionals, including:
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There are multiple ways of obtaining your work visa to the UK – this process also depends on whether you graduate from a UK university or from an Indian university. In the next two sections, we explore the job and visa application processes for both.
How to apply for a job in the UK as an Indian fresher
The job application process to a UK-based company differs depending on where you are applying from – the UK or India. However, there are a few steps in the job hunting and preparation process that remain common for all. You can expect a few or all of these steps for a general job application to the UK:
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Online application form – Online application forms are generally the first step in any recruitment process, and they are of two common types. The first is a traditional online form where you’re required to detail your academic and professional history and upload your CV. The second is a ‘strength-based’ form which evaluates you based on several strength tests conducted online.
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Covering letter – Employers may request this letter with your CV to learn more about your skills and abilities, along with your motivations for applying to the job in that particular organisation.
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Psychometric tests – Some companies ask their candidates to take an online personality test, a numerical test, an inductive or a verbal reasoning test, or a situational judgement test. You may also be required to undertake an ‘immersive experience’ video test.
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Games-based assessments – Interactive ‘game’ like tests are conducted by employers who wish to assess your cognitive abilities and behavioural traits.
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Interview – You may be required to participate in a face-to-face interview, telephone interview, or video interview. Depending on the employer, you may face multiple interviews focusing on key areas like your competencies and values, enthusiasm for the job, abilities, industry awareness, and your knowledge of the employer.
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Assessment centre – Some employers conduct group interviews where you’ll be asked to complete group activities, presentations, case studies, and an interview.
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Technical interview – Some industries like engineering require candidates to face a technical interview.
Most organisations design their own recruitment processes by using a combination of the above steps to fit their priorities and ensure they hire the right people. If you’re studying at a UK university, your careers office will be able to help you prepare for each of these different methods of evaluation. Let’s now look at the step-by-step process of finding a job as an international student at a UK university.
Find a job in the UK as an international student at a UK university
Job hunting isn’t a linear process; in fact it can feel a little like a rollercoaster ride! It’s a challenging experience, but with preparation and persistence you can aim to stand out from the competition. While the job search process may look different for each student, we’ve outlined a few key steps you can follow to increase your chances of securing an offer.
| Step | What You Have to Do |
|---|---|
| Research the UK job market | The UK job market is competitive, so it’s good to have a thorough understanding of your options. This can help you apply to roles that best fit your skills and discover vacancies in smaller companies. Here’s how you can research the UK job market:
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| Apply to multiple jobs online | Once you’ve identified which jobs are suitable for your skills and experience, send your applications online. Most UK employers generally require a CV and cover letter with your application. |
| Prepare for and face your pre-interview assessments | Larger organisations and graduate schemes generally require you to take some assessments, like the ones we’ve outlined in the previous section. |
| Prepare for and face your job interview | You will face a series of questions during your job interview to assess your suitability for the role. Interviews are generally exhaustive, so ensure you research the industry and role thoroughly, make notes and plan answers to potential questions, and conduct mock interviews with a friend. |
| Accept your offer | If you’re successful, you’ll generally hear back from the organisation within a couple of weeks of your interview. |
These are the general steps you’ll follow when securing a job offer in the UK, but it’s important to remember that the roles you apply for may have different application processes. As an international student, there are a number of measures you can take before you begin your formal job hunting process to increase your chances of standing out in the competitive job market. Here are a few strategies to help you out:
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Build a close relationship with your university’s career office – Your university’s career service is designed to help you secure employability in the UK. It’s good to develop a relationship with them from your first semester as they can introduce you to valuable networking and internship opportunities.
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Gain work experience during your degree – Work experience is highly valued by employers, and it doesn’t have to be limited to an industry-specific internship. Any opportunity (e.g. part-time work) that allows you to develop your transferable skills and get exposure to British working culture is great on your CV.
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Network – Networking is essential for international students as it can open doors to many hidden opportunities. It can also build your social capital in a foreign country, expose you to the UK’s cultural values, and help you build lasting relationships.
Next, let’s look at securing employment in the UK from India. If that’s not for you, then skip ahead to the end of the blog where we outline your visa options, resources, and tips to stay organised.
Find a job in the UK after graduating from an Indian university
Many UK companies seek employees from India as they’re intent on hiring ambitious, self-motivated individuals. Your application process must demonstrate your capabilities and passions while clearly showing your qualifications. Following the below steps will help you in your application to a job in the UK as an Indian fresher:
| Step | What You Have to Do |
|---|---|
| Research the UK job market, focusing on employers who can sponsor your visa | The UK’s job market will be different from what you’re used to in India, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with commonly used terms, processes, and sectors hiring international applicants/sponsoring visas. We’ve outlined these in previous sections of the blog. Additionally, it’s important to:
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| Build a professional network | Building a powerful professional network is essential when applying for global opportunities. You can use this network to obtain references, get guidance, and learn of vacancies at firms in the UK. It’s also advisable to have a strong online presence on job search websites like LinkedIn and work with a trusted UK recruitment agency. |
| Apply for jobs | Occasionally, job hunting is a numbers game – the more applications you send, the higher your chances of securing an offer. That’s why you must apply for multiple jobs without limiting yourself. |
| Prepare for and face your job interview | You will face a series of questions during your job interview to check your suitability for the role. Interviews are generally exhaustive, so ensure you research the industry and role thoroughly, make notes and plan answers to potential questions, and conduct mock interviews with a friend. |
| Accept your offer | If you’re successful, you’ll generally hear back from the organisation within a couple of weeks of your interview. |
The final step of your application process – whether you’re based in the UK or in India – is to initiate your visa process. We’ve gone through the different work visas next.
Work visas in the UK for Indian freshers
Once you’ve graduated from a UK university or secured a job offer in the UK, the next step is to apply for a work visa that will allow you to work in the UK. Here are the options available for Indian freshers:
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Graduate visa – An unsponsored visa allowing international students in the UK to work in the UK for two to three years after graduating from a UK university
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Skilled Worker visa – A sponsored visa lasting up to five years, and allowing you to come to or stay in the UK to do a job with an approved UK employer
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Health and Care Worker visa – A sponsored visa allowing medical professionals to work with the National Health Service (NHS), NHS suppliers, or in adult social care
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India Young Professionals Scheme visa – An unsponsored visa allowing Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years of age to work in the UK for up to two years (must be selected via a ballot)
If you’ve secured a job offer from India, you’ll most likely be eligible for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa. If you’re based in the UK, the easiest option for you is to apply for a Graduate visa after your studies. We’ve provided a detailed guide on applying for a Graduate visa after completing your studies in the UK here. Next, we’ve given you details on work visa fees in the UK.
Cost of work visas in the UK for Indian freshers
One of the most significant costs in your job search process in the UK would be the cost of your visa application. Here’s a breakdown of the expenses associated with each type of work visa in the UK:
| Visa | Expense |
|---|---|
| Graduate visa | £822 |
| Skilled Worker visa | £719 to £1,639 |
| Health and Care Worker visa | £284 to £554 |
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa | £298 |
Additionally, visa application processes will generally require you to pay healthcare surcharges (the exact amount varies depending on the duration of your visa) and to show that you have enough money to support yourself in the UK for at least a month after you first arrive.
Another crucial element of both your job and visa applications is demonstrating your English language abilities to potential employers and visa officers. We’ve covered this in the next section.
IELTS for jobs in the UK for Indian freshers
You will need to show your English language proficiency to qualify for a work visa in the UK. Your IELTS test score is the most common way to prove to the UK immigration authorities that you are able to comfortably study and live in an English-speaking country. In addition to IELTS, you can consider the following English language proficiency tests to prove your capabilities:
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TOEFL
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PTE
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C1 Advanced (Cambridge)
Planning your career and life after your higher studies is an important step for any student. One of the most important components of this planning process is to ensure that you’re knowledgeable about your visa options in the UK after graduation.
If you’re planning on applying for a job in the UK or are currently in the UK and planning on applying for a Graduate visa, we’re ready to support you. We’ll be able to help you in understanding the UK's immigration laws, post-study career options in the UK, and how to submit your visa application correctly. Contact us today.
FAQs
How do I get a job in the UK from India?
You can get a job in the UK from India by researching jobs which can sponsor your work visa. It’s important to use the Immigration Salary List to assess if your job’s salary threshold is eligible for visa sponsorship, filter your job searches to ensure you’re targeting employers willing and able to sponsor your visa, and leverage the UK government’s Findajob website.
Can I get a job in the UK as a fresher?
Yes, you can. You must look for organisations hiring for entry-level and graduate roles.
Which job is best for Indians in the UK?
Many industries in the UK are eager to hire international applicants to fill labour shortages. These include the technology, healthcare, and education fields. Indians work in diverse fields in the UK, and you can find a job that best suits your interests and goals too.
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