Tag Archives: international student

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.

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.

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.

Job searching as a postgraduate international student

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Ibukunoluwa Ogundipe

Postgraduate, School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, Undergraduate career, career opportunities, CityCareers, CV, international student, internship, interview, job.

Today I’ve decided to discuss a topic that might be on the minds of most international students. After studying, what happens? Well, I’m here to tell you that whatever you aim for is totally possible. I’ll be outlining two major routes to making this happen.

Route 1: find an internship

Some programmes at City already offer the option of an internship integrated within the course – check out the City website to find out whether your particular course of interest offers this.

If you’re interested in obtaining an internship, I would advise you to start searching for your internship position at the beginning of the academic year. This gives you an advantage over other applicants. City also has resources available to help you find an internship, such as the Careers Service and the Professional Liaison Unit (for School of Mathematics, Computer Science & Engineering students only).

Route 2: find a graduate job

If you decide not to take the internship route, the second option will be applying for full-time graduate roles. I must state here that the mistake most students make is not applying on time. When is on time? In my opinion this would be in September/October. Now remember this is just the start of the semester. To stand out, you’ll need to connect with City’s Careers Services (as mentioned above). They’re amazing when it comes to the events they organise, such as career fairs, networking sessions, a CV surgery and other free consultations. As a City student you will have access to all of this, so why waste it?

I would also advise practising psychometric and aptitude tests, especially if you’ve been out of school for awhile before undertaking your postgraduate degree. It’s a lot of practice but it’s worth it in the end.

I hope this is helpful, I’ll be talking about preparing for interviews and assessment centres in my next post. In the meantime, let me know about any questions you might have!

Living the life of a Londoner

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School, Undergraduate international student, Law, lifeinlondon, london, things to do.

Life in London is very fast-paced, with a high density of people commuting into the city during the working week. I have noticed many places around my accommodation, near Farringdon Underground Station, which are closed on Saturday and Sunday due to a reduced population on the weekend. However, the nightlife in London is very busy, with many people lining the streets around pubs after work to have a drink. Clubs like Fabric, Tiger Tiger and XOYO are busy at night, especially when they have student nights with discounts. The Alchemist is worth a mention, as it is a very popular cocktail bar that becomes busy at night with their fascinating ways of making drinks like chemists.

Here is my list of the top 10 things to do in London:

1. Visit “The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour” – but keep in mind that tickets must be purchased in advance! It takes about three hours to walk through and is located just outside of London, in Watford. It’s a must-see if you are a big Harry Potter fan!

2. For a law student, you can visit legal institutions such as the Houses of Parliament or the Supreme Court. You can even observe cases in the Supreme Court when the court is sitting.

3. Go see a musical in the famous West End, such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or “Book of Mormon”. You can often find tickets reduced at a discount for students.

4. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park at Christmastime!

5. Go to an Arsenal football game to feel the excitement of one of the major sporting events in the UK.

6. Go on a ghost tour! There are several around London and they are a great (and spooky) way to learn about the history of this city.

7. Visit major iconic areas of London such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. Free to walk around, with great photo opportunities.

8. Take advantage of all the free museums!

9. Visit Westfield London, one of the UK’s major shopping centres. Free (unless you plan to max out your credit card!)

10. Walk around Camden Market and try the various food vendors, or try punting on the river!

Hopefully something on this list will catch your eye! If not, there are still plenty of other things to do in London that will surely provide you with an amazing experience.

My weekly life as a City Law School student

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School, Undergraduate course work, international student, Law, schedule, UG student life, work.

A typical week at City for me is two one-hour tutorials a week, along with four two-hour lectures a week. As an international student, my attendance is taken so the university can ensure I am attending classes and adhering to the requirements of my Tier 4 visa. My personal tutor also checks in with me once a semester, and I also attended a mandatory Tier 4 visa session in October.

In regards to work and volunteering, because I am limited to working 20 hours a week as an international student, it was difficult to secure part-time work outside the university. Unitemps, City’s in-house temporary recruitment agency, is an attractive option for students as it has the needs of students in mind. I have been lucky enough to secure work with Unitemps for a short period. In terms of volunteering I am an online peer mentor, where I respond to enquiries from young people about higher education. I also volunteer with the Blackfriars Settlement, a legal advice clinic, with a time commitment of only two days per school year. I also regularly sign up for events through the Careers Portal, which can consist of information sessions from law firms. Recently there was a full-day mediation training session I attended, which resulted in a certificate and allowed for socialisation with other students.

In my course, there are only final exams in terms of summative work. There is one optional formative assessment for each class, therefore course work does not take up too much time. On the other hand, readings can take up to 10 hours a week, between the five classes to do the required reading. If you plan on doing the optional readings I would estimate adding another five hours to your reading time for these. Doing the questions for tutorials and participating when you are in the tutorial is helpful in facilitating memory, and helps you focus in on the more important sections of the readings if you are having issues deciding what is important.

Applying to City as an international student from within the UK

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Sukirtha

School of Health Sciences, Undergraduate already in the uk, application process, IELTS, international student.

It may come as a surprise to some but every year, there are international students who apply to university whilst already living in the UK. This could be due to many reasons. Here is my journey of applying to City from within the UK.

I came to the UK straight after completing school in India. My father’s company had landed a new client in the UK and wanted him to relocate for a couple of years. After much deliberation, we decided to move to the UK as a family. I then completed my A-levels in mathematics, biology and psychology in a UK state school.

When making my application to university, a few sections I had to fill out were different than for my UK classmates, like passport details, fee status, etc. Important to note, make sure you check what fee status you are by clearly reading all the rules. Do not simply assume that you are a home/EU student or an international student. If you’re unsure, send an email to the university clearly stating your visa type, date of entry, etc. and they should be able to help you.

Although I had been living in the UK, I still needed to complete an IELTS exam. One may assume that this exam would only be offered abroad. But, IELTS is held in the UK in numerous places and a lot of people write it for a variety of reasons. I suggest you book one as soon as possible so that you have the option to re-sit if required.

When I started receiving interviews, a couple of universities offered me telephone interviews believing I was applying from India. Personally, I feel a face-to-face interview is better and gives more opportunity to articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively. I emailed them explaining that I lived in the UK and they were happy to put me along with the other students for face-to-face interviews. I would strongly suggest anybody in a similar position to do so as well. If you’re already here, use it as an advantage.

Once I had received and accepted my offer to study at City, I had to make the decision on whether I was going to continue to study on my current visa or get a Tier 4 student visa. Another important thing to note – make sure to do your research about this too. Check whether you are able to study on your current visa and if it covers your entire course duration. I decided I would stay on the visa I already had.

I hope this is of some help to you. Wishing you all the best in your journey to university.

My journey to City! Shivani Saboo, MSc Entrepreneurship

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Shivani Saboo

Cass Business School, Postgraduate accommodation, application, city university, City University of London, course, India, international, international student, msc, Postgraduate, visa.

So what do you want to study at university?
Management? I think. Yes, I’m extremely interested in business management. Maybe I should pursue a master’s in this! But my bachelor’s was in the same specialisation! Maybe marketing, ummm or entrepreneurship? I’ve always wanted to start a venture of my own!

Where do you want to go and study?
City! UCL! Or maybe Imperial! I want to go the best place I can possibly go to! I love London, everything about the city is so inviting. Also there is so much development there with so many opportunities for the future! I definitely want to be in London! I am scared to live away from home though!

These were conversations I had with my family, friends and counsellors innumerable times! My journey to City has been quite an exciting and exhilarating one. I am from India and studied my first degree in my hometown. I pursued my undergraduate degree in business management, after which I decided to start working. I had long contemplated whether going off to university to pursue further studies would be the right choice for me! Now that I am here, I can safely say it was the best decision I ever made!

I am currently studying on the MSc Entrepreneurship at Cass Business School, City, University Of London. Just like any other prospective student would, I spent a lot of sleepless nights researching everything I possibly could about the university including location, course ranking, accommodation offered, etc. I would ask questions on student forums, university group chats, connect with past students on LinkedIn and ask them everything I could possibly think of. There is a lot to consider before going to university!

The process of applying to City was quite smooth. I submitted my application with my statement of purpose and the required documents which were stated on the website. In the second round I gave a video interview and eagerly waited for a couple of weeks until I got my final offer. The course office was extremely helpful and replied to all of my emails quickly.

My next step was to apply for the Tier 4 student visa. The visa team at City checked all of my documents before I submitted my application. This provided me peace of mind and helped me feel assured that my application was complete.

Then came the accommodation search. The university offers a selection of halls of residence for students. The application process is fairly simple. I am currently staying in the student accommodation called Pure City. The location is fabulous since it is walking distance from campus. Being in student accommodation has also led me to meet some wonderful, like-minded people.

It may seem extremely daunting to take all these decisions, but it is all worth it! Go for it and make the most out of your time at City!