An honest guide to finding employment as an international student

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London international student, job, part-time job, work, work life.

Many international students choose to study in London because…well… it’s London, the city of opportunities.

For some, being an international student with a student visa in London may bring certain uncertainties when it comes to funding. Whether you are a student or planning to study in London, this guide will let you know what to expect when navigating the part-time job market while at university.

Rest assured, we have you covered!

What you need to know

To fund your fabulous lifestyle in London you may decide you want to take up part-time work around your studies. International students on student visas are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hour per week during term time – this is to ensure students do not compromise on their studies. Here are some tips to help you navigate future job prospects:

#1 You are not a freelancer or self-employed

It is important to note international students cannot be self-employed. However, some companies that deal with providing university students with flexible work require them to identify as a freelancer (a type of self-employment). So, it’s important you are aware of this before signing a job contract to ensure you do not have issues with the tax man.

#2 Request a ‘right to work’ checklist

If you are interested in temporary seasonal jobs (during your Christmas or summer break) you can work more than 20 hours per week. But first make sure you request a ‘right to work’ checklist from your course officer so you are fully aware of the officially recognised university vacation time.

#3 Know your rights

Do not let your employer try to pursued you into working more than 20 hours per week during term time. You have the right to say no. You will be found in violation of your visa terms if you go over those 20 hours.

#4 Be persistent and patient

Once you have been offered a position, companies would submit your details in their online management systems. Sometimes you may find you will be automatically rejected by the head office because of your visa. It might take a little while but they will re-submit your details manually. Just keep checking in with the employer as the job is yours.

For up-to-date information on your permission to work while studying, check out this useful guide or talk to an International Student Adviser at City, University of London’s student centre, to ensure you are well prepared before job hunting. You can browse job opportunities on our shortlist of websites for people looking for work while they study.

An honest guide to finding private accommodation as an international student

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London accommodation, lifeinlondon, london.

Being an international student in London is an amazing opportunity to brush up on your English language and to experience British culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to live in London when you are studying, as it is probably the best time in your life to experience the city.

Finding private accommodation can be a little complicated for international students who choose to live outside of halls. Here is the catch-22: you need to prove you have the funding to pay for your accommodation but you can only work up to 20 hours per week with your student visa (read more on finding work while studying with a student visa).

Here are some tips to get around this:

#1 House hunt out of term-time

To pass referencing checks, find a place during vacation months when you can work full-time and show the agency or landlord you are working full-time.

#2 Find a guarantor in full-time employment

If you need a guarantor because you do not make enough and you do not have any family based in the UK for support, there are companies that you can pay to be your guarantor for the length of your housing contract. But it may be a cheaper option to find a friend who is willing to be your guarantor who is in full-time employment.

#3 Have the funds to pay upfront

Some landlords or agencies may ask for advance rent payment for the minimum stay of the contract – this generally means paying six months to one-year rent. Technically every year international students are required to already have the funds in their account to pay for their year in the UK and must be able to show this when asked at the airport customs. This means that you should already have the money available for advanced rent.

#4 Share a house with friends

Find an empty home that is being rented out as a whole property then find working professionals to buddy up with. When it comes to referencing, the agency or landlord will average the income across the people in full-time employment – depending on how much they are earning in comparison to the rent of the house – which would mean that you would not need a guarantor or need to be in full-time employment.

6 reasons you should participate in an exchange programme

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, Undergraduate exchange, international, Law.

I have recently applied for City, University of London’s student exchange opportunity to another country with my first-choice school being France and my second/third choice schools both being in Australia. Many people ask why would you go on exchange when you are already international. Here are my reasons and why you should consider it too:

#1 Exposure to different opportunities

Learning from one institution is not enough to have well rounded knowledge as each institution teaches differently and offers different teaching and learning styles as well as providing different opportunities. For instance at City we have the Start-Ed clinic where law students can offer their services to start-up companies, however an institution in Australia might offer different opportunities.

#2 Grow your network

Having a background from one institution is not enough in this competitive society – the more diversified you can show you are the better your chances for future job prospects. Even though ‘ties’ are said to have no weight it is easier to make connections with people who are the same as you which is why many law firms are dominated by certain schools or backgrounds. Having a connection with the person interviewing you is important and it is easier to focus on how the two of you are the same rather than your differences.

#3 More job prospects

Going to another country may also increase job prospects. If the companies you are interested in are based in countries offered on the exchange programme then it might be an easier way to get be recruited by them. This is because London is highly competitive, so if you took a job in another country with the firm you are interested in then you might be able to transfer back to London if you wish.

#4 Experience more cultures

If students enjoy travelling, then exchange programmes are another way to see the world and experience a different perspective and cultural feel while in education.

#5 Strengthen your profile

Employers want to see that you are flexible and culturally aware. Moving countries can demonstrate to employers that you have those strengths.

#6 Save on costs

It could also save you money if you are attending a university in London where costs are high in comparison to other destinations which may be cheaper. Certain incentives are also offered such as 50% off tuition if you go on exchange for a full year (two terms) which is a benefit if you are self-funded. Currently the Erasmus grant is also in effect for EU countries (might change pending Brexit) which provides you with a monthly grant of 300 Euros while on exchange.

If you have a student exchange opportunity, I suggest you consider it – even if you are an international student – for all the benefits it might bring to you.

Celebrating City’s international community

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate #internationalstudent, events.

International students are deeply embedded in City, University of London’s culture and lifestyle. The University’s work and that of the Students Union never stops to amaze me of the number of events and types of activities they offer to the student body.

As a student ambassador, representative and a blogger, I am constantly a witness of how much focus and attention is spent on a daily basis to the student. From surveys that will help improve student and tutor relationships to mentor schemes created to ease each student into coping with assignment anxiety or finding and preparing for an internship.

We are also regularly provided with karaoke, movie and pub quiz nights at City Bar, located in Tait Building ground floor.

This week, from Monday 18th February to Friday 22nd February, different departments cooperated to create the first-ever International City Week. It aimed to celebrate the global community and bring staff and students together with a number of different activities across campus.

More than 20 events were scattered throughout the whole week to take yet another step back and to really appreciate everything that is good about how diversified City, University of London is.

The launch of International City Week 2019 was simply incredible. It was colourful, loud and tasty. You could munch on tasty finger food from around the world and socialise with peers.

To make it easier for you, you could take part in the networking bingo and later win a redeemable voucher.

If you are not particularly interested in finding somebody who knows how to make dumplings or practices martial arts, you could sit on the couch with a slice of pizza in hand and listen to the amazing City’s own Balkan Ensemble.

Or even better, get up and dance in the melody of Serbian and Romanian songs and learn the art of the “horo” dance.

It was amazing to see how many people wanted to locate themselves on a giant map, and most importantly to talk with each other, follow our journeys and realise that we are not as different as we may think.

We could also solve riddles and win chocolate when correctly match the fair-trade products to their place of origin. To get creative with 1-minute portraits and bring back the nostalgia answering City Psychology Society’s question: “What makes you feel at home”, was a true gem.

Talking about your national holidays, dancing and seeing the smile on people’s faces was nothing short to a magnificent way to start my week.

Choosing your university accommodation

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Nina Wanjala

Advice Accomodation.

As an international student going to first year, you are guaranteed accommodation and this process is quite easy. City, University of London normally pays a fraction of the rent of some student accommodation options so it tends to be affordable, for London’s standards anyway.

The issue begins once you have to move out of the place you’ve learned to call home because it’s only for first-year students and to do this quickly before you run out of accommodation options. There are many factors to consider and I want to explore some of them.

#1 Cost

The nearer your student accommodation is to the school, the more expensive it will be. This is especially because it is located in Zone 1, which is quite central and pretty much the most expensive zone. The difference is quite significant because I remember when looking through two of my most viable accommodation options, the difference between a place in Zone 1 and Zone 3 was literally £100 per week!

#2 Proximity to university

Living next to school is a big win. You get to save on transport costs, you can make it to your 9 am class even if you have overslept, you can go back home for lunch, when your classes end late you’re not caught up in London’s rush hour, it’s just all very convenient. However as aforementioned, you pay for this convenience.

#3 Living among people

An en-suite, shared bathroom, shared room or studio?

As much as selecting a shared place will be cheaper, you might not be as tolerant of other people’s behaviours and hygiene levels. A studio will give you your own space and the comfort of doing things your way, but it might be lonely as your interaction with people is limited.

An en-suite – with a communal kitchen – is cheaper than a studio to an extent, but would be more expensive than a shared room/bathroom. These are the factors you need to consider and ultimately it comes down to your personality and what you’re used to.

#4 Private student accommodation vs public-sector housing

With private accommodation, utilities and other extras tend to be included in the rent and therefore you won’t have to worry about no electricity or dealing with a landlord, like you would for the public-sector housing.

If you have friends who share a mutual understanding with you, it might be better to get a flat together, share the rent and get a better deal than you would with private halls for instance. It would be more enjoyable and you’d benefit from a bit more freedom too. With public-sector housing, there is private accommodation and thus you would benefit from more time to choose a place.

I picked these as the most important factors and that should be considered early enough so that you can start evaluating your options holistically, under no pressure, and so after your first year you end up at a place that you’re happy with.

6 student perks you should know about

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London discounts, international student, services.

There are many opportunities available to students to help them succeed during school, and long after university has ended. These opportunities can come in the form of discounts as well as extra support. Here are some services and discounts students should be aware about during their short time at university.

#1 Career services

Available to students to help them in a variety of ways, they are available to help with CVs, interviews, job searches, and provide various events throughout the year. These events generally include potential employers delivering information sessions.

#2 Unitemps

Offered to students as a short-term fix for jobs. Jobs outside of university are sometimes not understanding of a student’s schedule. Unitemps is created for students which allows them to work around their schedule. The Widening Participation scheme for mentoring younger students is also another opportunity for students to make some cash while working around their busy schedule.

#3 City Sport

City’s sport facility available to all students to help them stay active and take fun classes or participate in sports at discounted rates in comparison to regular gyms.

#4 Amazon

The shopping allows for students to enjoy a Prime account for free for six months and then at a discounted rate thereafter.

#5 Student Oyster

The travel card provides 30% off of travel rates to make travelling to university more affordable as well as exploring London more plausible.

#6 ISIC card

International students should also take advantage of the ISIC card which provides discounts on rail, hotels, food, clothing, subscriptions, and memberships. The card does cost an upfront fee so check out where the card can be used first to see if it will be put to good use if you decide to buy it.

The services and discounts listed above are just a short list of the perks of being a student. Take a look at the Student Centre for more services and discounts for City, University of London students.

How joining a university society makes you more employable

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan

City Student Union advice, employability, jobs.

Student societies are a diverse collection of groups and organisations ranging from sports teams to hobby organisations to political and religious groups. They definitely take up a huge portion of the socialisation aspect of the university, but are they truly needed or not? Take my virtual hand and let me guide you through the minefield that the world of societies can be.

University experience depends heavily on what you make of it, and joining a society is one of the main activities you would like to consider early on. City Students’ Union is the place to go!

It is at the heart of City, University of London campus and it exists solely to support the progression and development of each student. They offer an array of opportunities for you to get involved: leadership academy, sports, societies, RAG, and Student Media.

Contrary to the common understanding, the main purposes of student societies are not only to expand your network and create a bubble for you to feel comfortable in. It is for you to feel as you belong, and create a university spirit that you would not find anywhere else. Student societies are inclusive, open-minded, fun and beneficial for your overall development.

They are also a key factor in terms of your employability!

Committing to a responsibility

In order for a society to work smoothly, you need to be good at planning and organisation when finding a venue, negotiating a good deal for your members or advertising the event you are putting up together.

If you are an organiser or officer of your society (there are elections every year and you can even create a society of your own), you will develop experience and expertise in skills, such as time management, decision-making, and research.

Employers want to see that you have had a position of responsibility, and good communication when working in a team.

Desire for more

Even if you do not have the leading role in your society, being a member will act as a proof for your ability to be a proactive well-rounded individual. Participating in an extracurricular activity will present your need to develop and learn outside the usual lecture hours.

Activities, like planning ahead and implementing it, committing to a society, managing budgets and being considerate to everyone’s suggestions for events and meetings, will make your more attractive to an employer.

Being a member of a society is one of the many opportunities the City Students’ Union has to offer. In my mind is the one that you will not only benefit but also take pleasure of it. Participating in societies will not only give you the opportunity to write something more, something different than everybody else in your CV and cover letter, but it will teach you important skills while socialising, going to events and surrounding yourself with people with the same ideals and goals in life.

Studying a law degree in the UK vs North America

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School, Undergraduate CV, international student, Law.

Going international to obtain a degree or even just a year abroad is popular among young people as a means to not only see the world but to have a competitive CV. However, being an international student has its challenges like anything else and some are talked about more than others such as missing your family. My personal challenge was adjusting to the cultural norms of the British education system from the American system.

In North America it’s common for 24-27 years old students to remain in school pursuing a second degree. They are told one degree is not enough to be competitive in today’s society or that the educational requirements are different for certain degrees.

To obtain a law degree in North America, a candidate would have to choose a four-year undergrad degree in any discipline followed by a three-year law school – totalling it to seven years in higher education.

In Britain, students can apply to law school right out of high school and graduate by 21/22 years of age with the LLB in hand and either the LPC, LLM, or BPTC. When I tell people in London that I am a 24 years old student it is a surprise to them.

Why? London is a fast-paced business district where working life is encouraged relatively earlier compared to in North America. People pursue other avenues besides university, such as internships, because the sooner they can get into work the better – especially in the competitive London job market.

The cultural outlook towards long consecutive years in education is recognised as a necessary achievement in North America. I am very proud of my seven years of education, achievements and all the wonderful opportunities I’ve been given so far.

Why I chose to study law in London

If I were to repeat the process for applying to law school I would still choose London as my ideal location. Being a solicitor in a commercial law firm in London is the end goal and I particularly enjoy the London working lifestyle. It is worth noting that your educational requirements should only matter to yourself and your future employer.

Being a City, University of London law student specifically has offered me the opportunities for more educational achievements to help my CV stand out and build skills needed to be an outstanding solicitor. Mooting at City has helped with preparing bundles – experience needed for when I become a certified solicitor.

The option to be trained for the National Centre for Domestic Violence and act as a McKenzie Friend has provided me with the opportunity to not only help people but learn how to draft witness statements, fill in non-molestation orders and occupation orders, as well as appear in court.

The law society at City has given me the chance to be the blog coordinator for the society and do three posts a week which helps with my commercial awareness. There are many fantastic events provided by the Careers Service post as well such as getting your CV checked over by a barrister at Keating Chambers.

As an international student you have an advantage over domestic students in the sense of life experience and you are not limited in the opportunities you can participate in, you just have to be willing to seek them out. The staff at City are always helpful in providing students with the tools necessary to succeed and if you would like to stay in the UK to work after school, City will provide you with every opportunity to make yourself employable. You just need to be open minded.

5 life hacks for university students in the UK

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Nina Wanjala

Advice discounts.

Here are five life hacks every international university student should know about when living in the UK.

Get a Nando’s card

Trust me, just get it.

When I first came, I was really confused as to why the legendary Portuguese restaurant chain (famous for its PERI-PERI chicken) is a bigger deal here than it is from where it originated (South Africa). I quickly joined the masses and stopped asking questions.

If you end up going there every now and then, you might as well get the card and benefit from a free meal ever so often. There’s nothing to lose.

Online grocery shopping

This depends on how much you shop at a go. I prefer shopping in bulk so that I make few visits to the store as possible. In the beginning, I remember struggling from the store burdened with very heavy bags and my walk home seeming much longer than it was. This can be felt less when done with friends, but still it takes a lot of manpower and people’s schedules often clash so at times you suffer alone.

Online grocery shopping is great if you’re doing it in bulk. You get to shop from the comfort of your home and have your heavy baggage delivered right to your door!

Pack early when moving out to a new accommodation

No, you do not have as much time as you think you do so just start early.

It’s easy to underestimate the number of things that have accumulated in just one year and waiting for the last minute is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. I moved out of my accommodation on the last day of my tenancy and I can’t forget the high stress levels that I experienced!

Travel around Europe (cheaply)

Coming from a continent where travelling to different countries is mad expensive, seeing the travel costs here is honestly surreal. If you save and plan early enough, you can actually ball on a budget and get to enjoy Europe on your holidays.

There are some very cheap airlines and cheap Airbnb homes as well, so there should be no reason to not plan such trips and live a full life, especially as an international student where such opportunities may not present themselves as easily as they do here. Make the most of your time here!

Travel back, on time

If you went back to your home country during the holiday, please just come back early enough. Especially if it was the summer break and you’re moving into a new accommodation. Speaking from experience, give yourself enough time to settle in and safeguard against inconveniences that may occur.

Christmas wish list for the broke law student

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School Christmas, Law.

The school year is half way through, and you are feeling so broke you’re eating the gum from under the tables (not recommended). Here are the top ten gifts you should be asking for at Christmas to get you through the rest of the year.

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is:
1. An iron set. An iron is the last thing on any student’s mind as it can be time consuming. However, you want to make sure your outfits are pristine before walking into a law firm. Plus it can be very therapeutic!
2. Noise cancelling headphones. They are not only trendy but they will do you wonders when trying to study in a noisy environment for your final exams!
3. Wireless charger. Makes it easier to charge your electronic devices in public without the added stress of watching your device charge at a plug outlet across the lecture room.
4. Gift cards! Food gift cards and clothing gift cards are good ideas as they can be used throughout the semester.
5. A day of pampering. After all the stress from study you deserve time for yourself. So treat yourself!
6. Tickets to an event. Sometimes you have to say no to something you really want to attend because you know you can’t afford it, so let someone else get it for you.
7. Part of your transport fare. Are you staying home a lot because the cost of transportation is adding up? Suggest to your loved ones that they top up your Oyster card.
8. Smart wear. You will need suits and proper business attire in the law firm, not your best clothes that you wear clubbing.
9. Subscriptions. Get someone to pay for your amazon prime membership or your Netflix account. Just don’t Netflix too much; keep up on that reading!
10. New shoes. The damp London weather might do some damage to some of your nice shoes. You will need them for interviews and you want them to be comfortable with proper arch support to keep your back aligned. Especially since most students hunch over a desk all semester.

Thank-you for your consideration Santa.