Timeline for Pre-Final and Placement Year International Students

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

Start the semester by thinking about what you have learned and achieved so far, both academically and through any summer activities or work experience. Your pre-final year is the perfect time to start considering your career options, build relevant experience, strengthen your skills and prepare for opportunities that lie ahead.

Gain experience

  • Get a part-time job Explore part-time work opportunities to gain valuable experience, develop transferrable skills, and strengthen your CV. The skills you build now can help you stand out in future internships, placements and graduate job applications. You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.

  • Do some volunteering Volunteering is another great way you can start building experience to add to your CV and work towards the Stellify award.

  • Try out some online training resources If you have some free time and want to improve your skills, online training courses could be the way to go. GradSims and workplace simulations can help you to explore what different jobs are like and gain valuable experience you can talk about in your applications.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Join a society Societies can provide valuable opportunities to build your social network, develop practical skills, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

  • Book a Careers appointment Whether you have a clear career goal or are still exploring your options, we can help you think of strategies to make the most out of your pre-final year. Together, we can discuss career paths, identify opportunities to build relevant skills and experience, and help you feel more prepared for your future graduate oppportunities.

  • Get a career mentor These programmes aim to match you with an industry professional who will be able to provide you with personalised career guidance to help you with your career planning, decision-making and preparing for your next steps. This will also allow you to network and meet someone in the sector you're interested in. Applications typically open at the start of Semester 1, and the programme runs across the academic year until the end of Semester 2.

  • Complete the skills audit Understand your skills development priorities in pre-final year and learn about activities here at the University of Manchester where you can gain more.

  • Attend events designed for international students Attend the Autumn and STEM Careers fairs as well as some workshops tailored for international students to explore your career options and learn from employers, alumni and careers professionals. Whether your're planning to work in the UK, return home after graduation, or keep your options open, these sessions can help you made informed decisions and start preparing early.

  • Research international jobs Are you thinking about working abroad? Whether its' for after you finish university, or for internships and placements, there are a variety of resources on our website to support you in your search. If you're an international student thinking about returning home, there are additional resources for working in India and China.

Apply

  • Summer internships These are often offered by large companies who may use them to help recruit candidates for graduate training schemes the following year. Opportunities for big companies start opening in the first semester. There are also internships available to work within the University or with a local charity/not for profit organisation.

  • Placement years Undergraduate students on a Tier 4 student visa can apply for placements provided that a placement year (sometimes known as a year in industry) is an option within their programme. You will need to register your interest in doing a placement with your school placement team and inform them if you are successful at obtaining one.

Semester 2

Gain experience

  • Complete a micro-internship These are 2 week virtual work-based learning programmes delivered in partnership with Practera. It aims to level-up your employability, supercharge your skills and deliver real business outcomes that you can talk about in applications.

  • Explore virtual work experience Develop your skills, boost your employability, and explore new industries and job roles. This is a unique opportunity for you to try out a career at your own pace and in your own time, from the comfort of your home.

  • Apply for GlobalGraduates Spend a fully-funded week in June in 1 of 7 cities across the globe, meeting with alumni from a range of business and industry sectors.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Research student experience internships This scheme offers penultimate year undergraduates the opportunity to undertake and internship within the University or with a local charity or not-for-profit organisation. All are paid, full-time and last up to 8-weeks.

  • Join us for the UK Universities Asia Careers Insight Series 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

  • Apply for Student Experience Internships Open to penultimate-year undergraduates, these paid, full-time internships last up to 8 weeks and take place within the University or with local charities and not-for-profit organisations. Internships are offered through a max of in-person and hybrid working arrangements. Check further details and apply on CareerConnect

Summer

  • Make a Careers appointment Are you struggling to get through to interview stage, or are you considering your options post-graduation? We can help you with that! The Careers’ Service offers a range of appointments to help you with your Career.

  • Update your CV Make use of our step-by-step CV guide to take you from the basis of writing or updating your CV to tailoring it, ready to send off when applying for a job (or another opportunity/course requiring a CV).

  • Search and apply for Graduate schemes Opportunities for big organisations usually open from August, so its's a good idea to start searching now to get ahead of competition and make effective applications.

Placement year or year in industry

If you're on a placement year (or a 'year in industry') here are some things you should be doing to help you when you return to University and start applying for graduate jobs.

  • Make the most of opportunities to ask questions throughout your placement year. Use your induction and interactions with colleagues to learn about UK workplace culture, professional expectations and effective ways of working.
  • Ask for feedback regularly and use it to support your development. Ask questions, clarify expectations, and learn from colleagues around you. Reflect on the feedback you recieve, identify key learning points and take action to build your skills and confidence throughout your placement year.
  • Update your CV and portfolio regularly. This might include creating a resource with your skills gained, key projects you worked on, specifics of what your role was and what impact you had. You can use these experiences in your future applications.
  • Make connections. Talk to colleagues about their career paths, future opportunities, and industry trends. These conversations can help you gain ideas and inspiration for your own career, expand your professional network, and develop a better understanding of the opportunities available to you after graduation.

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.