Working in the UK: What You Need to Know After Graduation
If you’re nurturing plans to work in the UK – one of the world’s leading developed countries, thorough preparation is extremely important. From visa procedures and work culture to salary and living costs, everything affects your experience. This article will provide detailed information to help you feel more confident when beginning your journey to work in the land of fog.
1. Requirements for Working in the UK
You have every opportunity to realize your goal of working in England. However, depending on the specific job you plan to do, the legal requirements and procedures needed to be permitted to work in the UK will differ.
To be able to work legally in the UK, you need to apply for one of the following Visa types:
1.1 Tier 2 General Visa – Employment (for workers)
To be granted this type of Visa, you need to have a guaranteed job position before setting foot in the UK. This means that the job search process in England needs to be conducted while you are still in Vietnam.
For international students currently studying in the UK who wish to switch from a Tier 4 Visa to a Tier 2 Visa, you need to have one of the following qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree from the United Kingdom
- A master’s degree from the United Kingdom
- A postgraduate certificate in education
- A postgraduate professional certificate in education
1.2 Tier 5 Visa – Temporary Worker (Short-term, temporary work)
This visa allows you to work in the UK for a limited period, ranging from 12 to 24 months, depending on the category you apply for.
Typically, you will be granted this type of Visa when you already have a company in the UK willing to sponsor you for work. This means that the company will be responsible for ensuring that you have employment and a legitimate reason to come to the UK for work.
Some business sectors with potential to sponsor workers to the UK include:
- Creative industries and sports
- Charitable organizations (for unpaid volunteer positions)
- Positions related to religious activities
- Government-sponsored exchange programs
- International agreements
1.3 Tier 1 Visa – Entrepreneur (Start-up)
Tier 1 Visa allows you to stay in the United Kingdom for up to 3 years if you apply while in the UK, or 3 years and 4 months if you apply from outside the UK. This is part of the UK government’s policy to encourage entrepreneurial activities.
You can extend this Visa for an additional 2 years after the initial permit expires. However, the maximum total time that a Tier 1 Visa allows you to work in the UK is 5 years.
During this start-up phase, you are not permitted to do any other job but must focus entirely on building and developing your business. After the 5-year period, you can apply for settlement and long-term work in the UK if you meet the following conditions:
- You must be 16 years or older and intend to establish a business in the UK
- You are not a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
2. Tips for Finding Jobs in the UK for Students
2.1 Leverage Relationships with Teachers:
Don’t hesitate to talk and connect with teachers in your department. They often have networks with reputable businesses and organizations in the industry you’re studying. Listen to the experiences and knowledge that teachers share; this can be a “bridge” helping you access the best job opportunities. Additionally, most UK universities have departments to support students in finding jobs. Contact them right from when you first enroll to start building a network with them.
2.2 Prepare a Professional CV and Portfolio:
Opportunities often come to those who are ready. Therefore, before you start applying for jobs, prepare an impressive skills portfolio (CV/Profile) and cover letter. Pay special attention to the content and presentation of the three most important sections:
- Professional qualifications: Relevant degrees and certificates
- Work experience: Whether part-time jobs, internships, or related extracurricular activities, describe them clearly and prominently
- Skills: List soft skills and professional skills relevant to the position you’re applying for
2.3 Look for Jobs in Many Different Places:
Don’t just limit your search to familiar recruitment websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, Reed, Careerbuilder, or uk.jobs. Explore more effective “offline” job channels:
- Recruitment sections in reputable newspapers: The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, The Financial Times, The Independent…
- Job introduction centers: Can be right at your school or in the area where you live
- Job fairs and recruitment events: Regularly organized at universities or locally
- Job search groups on social media: Especially Vietnamese international student communities in the UK
3. Popular Jobs for Vietnamese People in the UK
3.1 For Fresh Graduates
For newly graduated students, internship programs are usually an ideal starting point due to limited work experience. Experience is always highly valued by companies in the UK, so positions requiring experience may not be the best choice for fresh graduates. However, large corporations in the UK also pay great attention to talented students. If you have excellent academic achievements and actively participate in extracurricular activities, opportunities to work in the UK are completely open. Finding a job is not difficult if you invest time and have clear goals from the beginning. Large companies operate in many different fields; take the initiative to research and apply for positions that align with your career orientation.
3.2 For Students with Experience
Those who already have experience in a particular field can certainly look for similar opportunities in the UK. Some popular professions for Vietnamese people in the UK include lawyers, engineers, marketing, sales management, business management, doctors… However, the UK office environment and culture have many differences compared to Vietnam. Therefore, besides good English skills, experienced individuals also need to adapt quickly. Working in the UK is a goal for many international students because of the dynamic, modern environment and attractive salary. However, the competition is very high, requiring you to have clear goals and high perseverance.
4. Conclusion
Working in the UK opens a wonderful door for personal career development and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a colorful culture. For this journey to proceed smoothly, equipping yourself with knowledge about procedures and the labor market is extremely important. If you are looking for a cost-effective path to study in the UK and minimize complications with visa procedures, consider the Hoa Sen – De Montfort international program. This is an ideal opportunity for you to study and receive international qualifications right in Vietnam. For more detailed information and to explore the outstanding advantages, don’t hesitate to contact De Montfort University DMU Vietnam for the best advice and support on your journey to conquer your UK dream.
See more:
Important Changes in UK Study Abroad Policies in 2025
What Truly Matters When Choosing a University Major? Things You Need to Know
——————————————–
CONSULTATION CONTACT: Hoa Sen – De Montfort Program (Institute of International Education)
Apply online here
Register for consultation here
📍 Address: Room 1007, 10th floor, 08 Nguyen Van Trang, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: 028 7309 1991 (Ext: 4792)
Hotline: 0888 275 276
Email: demontfort@hoasen.edu.vn
Website: www.hoasen.edu.vn/demontfort/
