Working outside the UK

Working overseas gives you the chance to experience different cultures while gaining valuable skills and experience.

You may choose to work in your chosen field, or do casual work as a means to fund travelling. You may work outside your chosen profession (for example, as an English language teacher). There are many options to explore.

Have a question? Get in touch

Where can I work?

  •  is a searchable list of the world’s embassies, most of which have details about working in their countries.
  •  offers feedback on CVs, applications and mock interviews tailored to your country of choice. Fees are payable.
  •  includes an A-Z directory of locations worldwide including advice on local social, political and health issues of interest to travellers.
  •  has practical information from British expats on relocating to another country, searchable by destination.
  • TargetJobs: A graduate's guide to working abroad has advice on destination and career choices, exchange programmes, visas and work permits, and more.

Country profiles

  •  includes job seeking resources, advice on visa requirements and more.
  •  by Prospects is a directory of country profiles.

Advice for international students

  •  include tips for international students looking for opportunities outside the UK after studying here.

Where to find vacancies

Europe


  • The EU Blue Card is a work permit issued by 25 out of 28 EU Member States to highly-qualified non-EU citizens.
  •  has permanent, temporary and contractual opportunities with the European Union.
  •  has jobs and learning opportunities throughout Europe.
  •  has opportunities for multilinguals.

Worldwide

Paid

  •  has work, internship, training opportunities in the USA.
  •  connects international employers with European graduates.
  •  has overseas jobs and company and country profiles.
  •  has international internships, placements and graduate opportunities.
  •  helps international students research and access career opportunities while studying in the UK.
  •  has jobs, internships and graduate programmes worldwide.
  • The International Exchange Programme UK (IEPUK) has worldwide placements in the environmental and land-based sector. Fees payable.
  •  has opportunities to gain an insight into the Chinese working environment. Fees payable.
  •  has work experience in over 80 countries for students of Science, Engineering and related areas.
  •  has Australian jobs, visa information and other advice.
  •  helps Chinese students who study abroad to find career opportunities in China.
  •  recruits bilingual Chinese students to international companies in the UK and China.

Paid/ voluntary

  •  facilitates international exchange of students and recent graduates either in paid traineeships or as volunteers.
  •  is an international humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency medical aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare.
  •  includes vacancies in Europe and worldwide.
  • Our vacancy service advertises paid and voluntary opportunities worldwide.

Taking a gap year

After graduation, you may want to take time out for a gap year to travel and experience different cultures and countries. This may include exchange programmes, volunteering, or simply finding temporary work in your chosen destination(s).

These sites offer resources and support to help you plan your gap year:

  •  includes a directory of opportunities, safe travel advice and more.
  •  has advice on whether to take a gap year, and available options.
  •  has advice on gap year options, planning, case studies and more.