Timeline for first year international students

Please note, 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. You may choose to complete activities earlier or later than suggested based on your individual circumstances.

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

Semester 1

Starting University can be daunting, especially in a new country. It's important to give yourself time and space to settle in and get comfortable with your new environment. Familiarise yourself with English by signing up to the lcoal library to borrow books, listening to English music and podcasts and watching English TV. Get know people and the student community by joining a society or club and taking part in events. You could get a part-time job or volunteer to start gaining valuable work experience.

Gain experience

  • Get a part-time job Make money while gaining valuable experience, developing transferrable skills and strengthening your CV. These skills will help you in building applications for future work experience opportunities, such as internships and placement years. We post opportunities on our CareerConnect vacancy pages which are regularly updated.

  • Volunteer and work towards the stellify award Get to know your local community and take part in initiatives to support and improve it. Volunteering is a great way to add experience if you do not have any previous work experience to add to your CV.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Attend drop-in advice sessions Come and speak to the team and learn about the different ways you can build experience, the resources available to you and the support we offer. Our desk is open 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term-time, and is in the Atrium University Place. Alternatively, you can attend faculty drop-in's and online sessions. See further details on the events calendar on CareerConnect.

  • Build your CV Take time to reflect on your skills and experience and use our step-by-step guide to create your CV

  • Opportunities for first year students Often called spring weeks or insight days, these give you the chance to explore different career areas and jobs so you can make more informed choices. Opportunities are advertised from Autumn onwards, with some closing early while others are not advertised until later in the year.

Apply

  • Review your application Ready to apply? You can book CV and Application Review appointments to have your application reviewed by one of our Career Coaches or Advisors and check it is effectively tailored to the opportunities you want to apply for.

Semester 2

Now that you're more settled, there are still spring week opportunities and insight days that will be opening around this time, as well as summer jobs and other work experience opportunities. We will also be running events and there will be chances to network with industry professionals and other students.

Gain experience

  • Complete virtual work experience Boost your CV by completing virtual work experience, allowing you to build skills and explore different career areas from home.

  • Competitions Make your CV stand our by entering a competition, award or prize. They are a great way to gain experience for your CV and often some cash or work experience.

Prepare and Build Connections

  • Prepare for interviews Learn how to prepare for interviews, including the best way to approach different questions. If you've got an interview coming up, you can book an Interview Simulation appointment.

  • Attend events and network Meet people in your career areas of interest and find out valuable information, such as potential routes in and what makes a successful application.

Apply

Summer

  • Skills development Assess your skills level using our skills development resources and plan for areas you want to improve going forward.

  • Don't know what you want to do? Check out our dedicated careers pages to help you consider which career areas might be right for you. Remember, you are only at the beginning of your university journey, its' okay to not have it all figured out.

  • Careers appointment Make an appointment to speak to a Careers Advisor or Consultant to discuss your plans for the following year.

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.