Timeline for Final Year International Students (Undergraduate)

Please note that the timeline provided below is designed to help you maximise your chances of meeting a wide range of application deadlines. However, we understand that each student's journey is unique, and you may choose to complete activities earlier or later than suggested, based on your individual circumstances.

There may be words below that you aren't yet familiar with. You can find out their meanings in our list of Common vocabulary used in the UK job market

Semester 1

It is a key time to start preparing for life after graduation. Many graduate employers begin recruiting early in the academic year, so focus on exploring opportunities, researching employers, updating your CV and LinkedIn profile, and submitting your applications. This is also a great time to practise interviews, improve your application skills, and learn more about your post-study work options in the UK and abroad, helping you approach graduate recruitment with confidence.

Gain experience

  • Find a part-time job Explore opportunities to earn money while gaining useful experience. A part-time job can add value to your CV by giving you many of the skills graduate employers look for, including decision-making, organisational and IT skills, team working and customer service.

  • Volunteer Complete an unpaid activity with a charity or not-for-profit organisation that makes a difference to the wider community. It's a great way to enhance your University experience while building your skills and giving you a great sense of achievement.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Research the UK job market Learn about navigating the UK job market including what UK employers are looking for, recruitment practices and types of work available to graduates.

  • Research opportunities outside of the UK Thinking about returning home or working abroad? Use our resources on international jobs to assist you in your job search. Our GoinGlobal resource has useful country guides to help you to understand recruitment processes in different countries.

  • Don't know what to do? Use our resources to help you started and explore ideas. It’s perfectly normal not to have it all figured out. In fact, it is one of the most common things we hear.

  • Skills development Assess your current skills levels using the Skills Audit to learn about where you need to develop your skills further. This may also be a good way to understand what experience you need to gain.

  • Attend an event Attend Developing confidence workshops, as well as our Autumn and STEM Careers’ Fairs. There are hundreds of events taking place on campus and online with the Careers' Service, aiming to support your employability by helping you to explore your options, improve your skills and find out about different sectors.

  • Watch a Latitude Law workshop If you have any visa related questions, you could head to the Latitude Law visa sessions. For any questions related to your student visa, you should contact the student immigration team.

  • Get a mentor Get matched with an industry professional who can provide you with personalised career guidance, helping you to plan, decide and prepare for your next steps. Allows you to network and meet someone in the sector you’re interested in. Applications typically open at the start of Semester 1 so its’s a good idea to look out for this early on!

Apply

Semester 2

Continue applying for opportunities, build your network, attend careers events, and make use of Careers Service support. If you haven't secured a graduate role yet, explore alternative pathways such as internships, postgraduate study, or the Graduate Route visa to keep your options open and maintain momentum towards your career goals.

Gain experience

  • Do a micro-internship Build your graduate application by taking part in a two-week virtual work-based learning programme delivered in partnership with Practera. Engage with real clients, complete real projects with real outcomes.

  • Complete a GradSim Find out what different jobs and employers are like in these short modules. Hear from employees at different companies and try out the skills needed for different roles in work simulation tasks.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Use our CV and Application Resources Develop your application by utilising our application resources. We have step-by-step CV creation resources, example application documents, and workshop recordings to help you in creating an effective application.

  • Prepare for interview Polish up your interview technique by using our prepare for interview resources. If you have an interview coming up, why not book an interview simulation to practise responding to questions and get feedback from one of our advisors.

  • Review and improve your LinkedIn profile Get started using LinkedIn with our LinkedIn Academy guide. It is an invaluable tool to network with alumni and recruiters. For more support using LinkedIn, look out for our networking and job search events on CareerConnect.

  • Attend the Asia Careers Insight Days Listen to 15-minute presentations from top recruiting employers to help you discover graduate job opportunities in China (mainland & Hong Kong), Southeast Asia and India. If you’re planning to work in your home country after study, these online sessions will give you an understanding of upcoming job opportunities and equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed after graduating.

Apply

  • Manchester Graduate Talent (MGT) applications Graduate level jobs for University of Manchester students graduating this year or last. Roles are advertised within the University as well as a range of organisations across Greater Manchester, from start-ups to multi-national firms.

Summer

  • Attend Graduate Careers week Meet employers, learn about graduate opportunities and discuss how you can make the most out of your Careers’ Service as a graduate.

Need someone to discuss your plans with?

The Careers Service provides various bookable appointments and drop-in sessions throughout the year to help with your career planning, concerns, and questions. Visit our Support page for a full overview of our services.