Are you an international student (not an EU/EEA national) and thinking of what to do after completing your course?

This section directs you towards key websites providing information and guidance.

Top Tips

Whether you are looking to work in the UK, your home country or elsewhere, the experience and skills you have gained through your time in the UK (such as language and cultural awareness) are valuable to employers. Promote these as additional 'selling' points to your course qualification.

Make full use of your time as a student to add to your CV. Work experience and extra-curricular activities (eg course representative, student committees, organising events), demonstrate you are developing the employability skills sought by employers, in addition to your academic achievement.

Honours degrees and higher degrees will improve your employment opportunities internationally.

If you want to stay in the UK after completing your studies, make sure you do your research and make job applications well in advance before the expiry of your student status. Stay up-to-date by checking the UKCISA and Home Office websites.

Employers are only likely to try to obtain work permits for outstanding candidates or for 'shortage occupations'. If you do not need a work permit, you should make this clear on your application.

If working outside the UK, go to Graduate Prospects website link.

Useful Links

• www.prospects.ac.uk/international_students.htm
  Graduate Prospects - national careers site for higher education students studying in the UK

• www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/
  Home Office UK Border Agency - working in the UK

• www.educationuk.org/
  British Council - study and work in the UK

• www.ukcisa.org.uk/
  UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs - drop down sub-heading 'Advice for International Students'

• www.thecollege.co.uk/international/
  Bournemouth & Poole College international site

• www.bournemouth.ac.uk/futurestudents/
  Bournemouth University - click on side-heading 'International'