What is a Careers Service in the UK and how can it help international students?

22 October 2025 | By: Newcastle University | 2 min read

A sign in front of a set of stairs. The sign reads 'CV checking & careers advice' and is illustrated with an orange arrow pointing north-east. Credit: Matt Horne.

From networking with employers to support with job applications – a university Careers Service is there during your degree and after graduation to help you win the job that’s right for you. But how?

What is a Careers Service in the UK?

University Careers Services in the UK exist to help students and graduates plan their future careers and gain employment.

At Newcastle University, our Careers Service offers a huge range student and graduate support, including in-person and online appointments, online guidance and tools, interactive workshops, and networking events.

From one-to-one advice to opportunities to meet employers, our Careers Service manages a full calendar of support for every type of future career. The service also supports students with internships, work placements, and volunteering.

How can a university Careers Service help international students?

Help with career planning

Have you already planned out your career, or do you need tailored support?

At Newcastle University, you can book an appointment to speak to one of our careers consultants who will help you to explore your future ideas and plans. Whether you're looking for a graduate career, to start your own business, or go on to further study, our Careers Service can provide advice and support for students, graduates, and staff.

Making employer connections

University Careers Services provide opportunities to make industry connections, through employer events, information sessions, and recruitment fairs.

At Newcastle University, our Business Engagement Team works with a wide range of graduate employers to ensure they are targeting our students with their recruitment campaigns. We advertise all these vacancies on our MyCareer portal, which is a resource exclusively for Newcastle University students.

A group of professionals sit in a semi-circle at a careers event, deep in discussion. Credit: John Donoghue.

Recruitment fairs and employer events provide opportunities to network and learn more. Credit: John Donoghue.

Tailoring job applications for success

Whatever career you're interested in, at Newcastle University our Careers Service can help you make an impact.

The team helps students and graduates apply for jobs, from how to create an impressive CV to how to stand out at the interview stage. We offer interview coaching sessions where students can practise their interview skills, and provide access to online tools where students can practise recruitment tests and online interviews.

A popular workshop with students is a mock assessment centre sesssion where they can take part in a simulated assessment centre exercise.

Finding a job that’s right for you

Work with the careers experts at Newcastle University to learn more about part-time jobs, including opportunities at our University through our Jobs on Campus (JobsOC) scheme.

Learn how to research employers, how to identify suitable opportunities, and how to work with city recruitment agencies to find temporary and part-time work that suits you.

Support with work while studying

Working a job during your undergraduate degree is a great way for international students to gain career experience, earn extra money, develop their skills, and meet new people.

It can also be a way of practising your English in different situations!

At Newcastle, our Careers Service can help you look and apply for part-time work opportunities that balance well with your lectures, seminars, and study time.

Working in the UK after your studies

If you are considering working in the UK after your studies, the careers team at Newcastle can help you start your career.

From support filling in job applications to preparing for interviews – we will support you for three years after graduation. From graduate jobs to graduate schemes, our careers experts are here to help you make sense of all your options.