Support for international students
As an international student, you can speak to our Careers and Enterprise team who offer tailored support for our students and graduates.
Popular pages on the careers website
Our support for you
We can help you with job-seeking and career planning, as well as exploring working for yourself.
Start your UK work journey now! Watch the video below to hear more about our offer to you:
Our support for International students
Make the most of your time at University
Maximise your career prospects in the UK - get guidance from our Careers and Enterprise team on finding work during and after your studies. Enhance your CV with work experience and extracurricular activities. Consider these opportunities to boost your employability:
- Part-time work: Gain valuable work experience alongside your studies. NOTE: It is important to keep your visa restrictions in mind – visit the ‘Working during your studies’ section of this page below for extra information.
- Volunteering: Build UK work experience and explore the working world.
- Student Societies and Students' Union: Boost your employability with relevant activities, positions or responsibility.
- Placement and Internships: Get industry experience and possibly academic recognition if the placement forms part of your course.
- Attend Careers Fairs: Network with employers to build contacts for future job opportunities and find out more about their organisation or industry. Our Careers Fairs are listed on our Workshops pages.
- Entrepreneurship: Explore self employment with our support. Get information about Innovator Founder visas, plus advice on entrepreneurial skills, pitching ideas and business plans.
- Language Confidence: Improve your English language skills with Academic Writing Support – Wordscope and Learning English for Academic Purposes. You could also consider learning a new language with Salford Languages via the University Wide Language Programme.
Ready to take charge of your future? Join our LinkedIn Learning tutorial Maximising your Time at University for more tips on making the most of your studies!
Working during your studies
Most international students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during vacations. It’s important to confirm your work permission before starting any job. Stay informed about your visa and work status with the gov.uk website and UKCISA's information and advice pages.
To work in the UK, you must have a National Insurance Number (NIN). As an international student, you need to apply for one. Here's how:
- Apply once you have arrived in the UK.
- Apply online and ensure you have the required documents ready via the UK Government website.
- You may be required to take your ID to Job Centre Plus, but you will be notified of this if it's required.
For help or enquiries, visit the National Insurance website or call 0300 200 3500 (Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm, Sat: 8am-4pm).
For student visa queries, contact the University's Home Office Compliance Team at 0161 295 0023 (option 3, option 2) or via email: homeofficecompliance@salford.ac.uk.
Working in the UK after graduation
It’s important to keep yourself up to date on the latest changes to graduate visa options. Get started using the resources below:
- The gov.uk Work in the UK page
- The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) Working After Studies articles.
- Ward Hadaway’s Visa Guidelines Hub
Visa advice and guidance
Our advisers are available to offer appointments to support you with the process of looking and applying for work or advice to help you become self-employed but cannot offer visa advice. For specific visa advice, the University works closely with immigration lawyer specialists, Ward Hadaway, as an information and advice source for our international students.
Access Ward Hadaway's Visa Guidelines Hub for Frequently Asked Questions on different visas or ask your own question.
Find out how an International Graduate found paid work as a Marketing Specialist
Student Circus
The University of Salford has partnered with Student Circus to provide:
- Global jobs boards for students and graduates looking to take their skills outside the UK
- Curated UK jobs board specifically for international students
- Career Ignition Hub – a great resource for all students to kickstart your career
- Immigration Guide & Country Guides to give you the most up-to-date info
Keen to enter the Global Jobs Market? The Student Circus platform also has jobs and internships listings with international employers that value your global experience and education. Explore Country Guides and find jobs from 29+ countries, including China, South-East Asia, Europe, Latin America and America.
Looking for a Graduate Employment Opportunity in the UK? Student Circus has hundreds of listings of pre-filtered jobs and internships from employers open to recruiting international students and graduates. Amongst others, these include:
- KPMG
- Deutsche Bank
- McKinsey & Company
- Land Rover
- Siemens.
Additionally, there’s the Immigration Guide to the UK where you can find answers to lots of visa FAQs.
Hungry for more? Visit their blog for the latest insights on hiring trends, employers, and visa updates.
Get started: The University of Salford students can sign up with their University email and get unlimited access to the platform. Sign up at https://salford.studentcircus.com/
Salford Alumni, please contact us on careers&enterprise@salford.ac.uk to be sent your unique verification link to access Student Circus.
Student Circus is a Third-Party platform who have partnered with the University of Salford but are not part of the University. By signing up to Student Circus you are agreeing to their Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and for your data to be kept on Student Circus’ database for four years, you are doing so at your own risk. Please ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before continuing.
Speak to a Careers Adviser
Get guidance from our friendly team of Advisers. Book an appointment or call 0161 295 0023 (option 5, option 3).
Open to current students and Salford Alumni only.