Services to International Students

Our services

Keele Careers and Employability offers the same information and guidance services to international students as it does UK students. International students are students from outside the European Economic Area - EEA. Students from within the EEA have no restrictions on the type of work and number of hours they can work. 

You can use the service at any stage of your degree or postgraduate study. For all Keele students we offer two types of interviews:

  • Short drop-in interviews lasting around 15 minutes.
  • Full appointments lasting around 45 minutes

Check Seeing an Adviser for information on our drop-in and guidance interviews.

Each Semester we offer a series of workshops and presentations on careers related issues. See our Events Calendar for details of our careers workshops.

Issues discussed at KCS with international students

We discuss a variety of topics with Keele's international students. The most frequently discussed are:

  • Availability of work experience during your time as a student.
  • Opportunities for employment in the UK after your studies.
  • Researching and applying for postgraduate study in the UK.

Please note: Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Part V) Keele Careers and Employability Service is not allowed to offer advice on issues of immigration. Our main activity is the "provision of basic information on which a person can act or the signposting of that person on to an appropriate advice provider."

Sources of information on visas

UK Border Agency  www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Formed in April 2008 the UK Border Agency is an agency of the Home Office and has responsibility for applications for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom, citizenship and asylum. This includes people who wish to study in the UK and students currently studying in the UK who may want to stay on in the UK to work after their studies have finished.

The Council for International Education (UKCISA)  www.ukcisa.org.uk
Founded in 1968, UKCISA is an independent organisation that seeks to protect the interests of students from the UK wishing to study abroad as well as the interests of overseas students wishing to study in the UK. The UKCISA website provides information sheets for students who wish to work in the UK during their studies and/or after their studies. Students are also able to telephone the UKCISA Advice Line on 020 7107 9922. It is open from 1300 to 1600 hours Monday to Friday.

Workpermit.com   www.workpermit.com
Information on immigration and visas for the UK and other countries.

International Student Support   www.keele.ac.uk/iss
Advice and guidance on a range of student issues.

Keele Students' Union ASK Centre  www.keelesu.com/international
The ASK Centre Advisers are qualified to give immigration and visa advice. They are members of UKCISA which means they have access to a variety of resources and information.

Working in the UK during your studies

Many international students are allowed to work in the UK during their studies. You need to check your passport to see if any restrictions apply to you. There are a number of issues you may need to consider:

  • The type of stamp you have in your passport which states whether you can work during your time in the UK.
  • If you are allowed to work, you will be able to work for up to 20 hours a week during term-time and unlimited hours during holidays.
  • You will also be able to take a placement which is part of a "sandwich degree" and take part in an internship programme with an employer.

Further information on working during your studies
For an overview on working in the UK during your studies go to the information sheet on the UKCISA website.

Working in the UK after your studies

On 30 June 2008 the UK Border Agency introduced a new points-based system for people applying to work in the UK. Information is available on the UK Border Agency website on the new categories which people can apply to. Below you will find brief details on the categories most relevant to international students studying at Keele. However, you are advised to go to the UK Border Agency website for more detailed information.

Tier 1 (Post Study Work)

This scheme will close from April 2012

The Tier 1 (Post Study Work)  allows students who have successfully completed a UK degree or postgraduate study to apply to stay in the UK for up to 2 years. During this time people with permission to stay can look for employment without the need for a sponsor. 

It is a points-based system and applicants need to score a total of 95 points. To do this you will need 75 points for attributes:

  • Gain a UK recognised degree or postgraduate certificate or diploma (20 points)
  • Studied at a UK recognised institution - like Keele (20 points)
  • Obtained your UK qualification with a student visa (20 points)
  • Apply for Tier 1 (Post Study Work) within 12 months of obtaining your qualification (15 points)

A further 20 points will be awarded for:

  • Having sufficient funds of £800 in a UK bank account (10 points)
  • English language requirement (10 points) which will be awarded if you have 75 points for attributes

Go to Tier 1 (Post Study Work) for further details, including self-assessment and how to apply.

Tier 1 (General)

This scheme closed on the 6 April 2011. 

The Tier 1 (General) category allows successful applicants to stay and work in the UK for 3 years in the first instance and for a possible further 2 years. Tier 1 (General) is also points-based with applicants gaining points for attributes - qualifications, age, previous earnings, experience in the UK, English language ability and maintenance funds.

  • 80 points for attributes
  • 10 points for English language
  • 10 points for available funds

Go to points assessment for further details.

Please note that from 23 December 2010, the UK Border Agency no longer accepts applications for Tier 1 (General) from overseas, and that from April 2011, Tier 1 (General) will be closed. Further details are available from the UK Border Agency website.

Tier 2 (General) - Skilled Worker Scheme

From April 2011 the government has introduced an annual limit of 20,700 applications for Tier 2 (General).  Go to the UK Border Agency for further details.

The Tier 2 (General) points-based scheme is for people coming to the UK with a skilled job offer.  This scheme allows employers to sponsor non-EEA workers to work in the UK. The employer needs to be on the UK Border Agency list of licensed sponsors.  

  • Applicants will need to have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship which is provided by the employer
  • Points will be awarded based on your: qualifications, future expected earnings, sponsorship, English language skills and available maintenance funds. Applicants will need to gain 70 points.
  • If the job is on the list of shortage occupations 50 points will be awarded
  • If the job applied for is not on the list of shortage occupations, the employer must demonstrate that they have carried out a 'resident labour market test' and that nobody from the EEA can do the job.

Other Work Schemes
In November 2008 the Youth Mobility Scheme replaced the provisions for Working Holidaymaker, Au pairs and Japan Youth Exchange Scheme.

Further information

Some additional websites:

Prospects  www.prospects.ac.uk
For general information on your options as an international student.

UK Trade and Investment   www.ukti.gov.uk/home.html
A government organisation supporting companies in the UK trading internationally and overseas organisations trading in the UK.

Jobcentre Plus   www.gov.uk/browse/working/finding-job
Information on job opportunities.

China - Britain Business Council   www.cbbc.org
Information for businesses but contains a useful links page.

Confederation of Indian Industry   www.ciionline.org

British Chamber of Commerce   www.britishchambers.org.uk
Provides country and market profiles.

Immigration Law Practitioners' Association   www.ilpa.org.uk
Provides a list of immigration law practitioners.

Adviceguide   www.adviceguide.org.uk
Online Citizens Advice Bureau advice.

Booklets from the Careers and Employability Service

KC&ES has copies of the AGCAS booklet Careers and Further Study for International Students as well as the UKCISA handouts Working During Your Studies and Working in the UK After Your Studies. These are available in the Careers and Employability Centre.

 

Updated 8 April 2013