Making the most of your time at university.

The UK’s reputation for having one of the world’s best education systems is what drives many international students to study there. Those who complete UK degrees are often exposed to tasks and assignments which enhance their skills, employability and also proves they’re capable English language users. Most come away with experience of working on projects, giving presentations and working with people from different countries which are all valuable skills employers want in graduates. These skills all look impressive on graduate CVs.

It’s important for you to remember that your tuition fees don’t just go towards what’s taught on your degree programmes. Universities have a lot more to offer as part of the package. Things like:

Student support services.

Universities recognise how important it is to help their international student cohorts adjust to their life and studies in the UK. They all have special international student support services which can help you with things like emotional wellbeing, completing assignments, career coaching and more.

It’s important to note that in the UK, “counselling” is a widely used term and doesn’t have negative connotations. We understand that in some countries, this might not be the case, but we implore students to speak to the people who are there to support you because you’re paying for these services. There’s nothing wrong with speaking to a counsellor and in fact, most students who do say they had a really positive experience - so make the most of the services you’re paying for.

Clubs and societies.

Yes, your primary objective with studying in the UK is to get that prestigious degree - especially if your parents or someone else is sponsoring you. It’s important to understand, however, that study culture in the UK is different to that in many countries in Asia-Pacific.

It’s important for you to find a good work/life balance during your time studying. Exploring your hobbies and passions is great for your mental wellbeing and can open unexpected opportunities. You might have heard the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. We spoke to a graduate recently who told us that he landed his first graduate job after meeting someone at his university cricket club. Joining clubs and societies can lead to unexpected opportunities and doing so also proves that you have good self-management skills by balancing your studies and social life.

Check out your university’s Student Union page or type in its name with “clubs and societies” to learn more about what’s on offer.

Work opportunities.

We mentioned earlier that university career counsellors can help you understand more about your skills, opportunities and how to make better decisions. They can also advise you on your working rights and options post-graduation for working in the UK.

In addition, most universities have their own internal jobs board with employers who’ve all been vetted and are actively looking for international students like you. They know your working rights (like working for up to 20hrs per week during term time) and understand your learning responsibilities.

Many universities also have graduate job sites which help connect alumni to respected multinational firms around the globe. Also consider registering on Gradlink, a free job portal for international graduates. Universities can also help you find relevant internships and volunteering opportunities which could lead to more concrete employment in the future.

Employer exposure.

Universities are partly judged by the employment outcomes of their graduates and therefore, many arrange career fairs and other opportunities for you to meet employers. Make sure to take advantage of these and be ready to make connections with the people you meet. Create a LinkedIn page, connect with people, and remember to ask questions to show you’ve done research about the jobs and industries you’re interested in.

Unlike in some countries in Asia-Pacific, some employers in the UK are more than happy to connect via LinkedIn with people, especially if they’ve attended university career fairs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to people and ask questions.

Free courses.

Aside from your degree programme, there are often free courses provided by universities to help you grow. Recently, many have started offering free environmental awareness courses for students to promote sustainable practice, and others offer things like first aid and fire safety training.

Take advantage of these opportunities when they come up because you never know when they could come in handy.

If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to drop us an email.