Careers service

Heriot-Watt students and graduates benefit from professional, impartial and confidential careers advice and guidance from specialist Careers Consultants who focus on specific subject areas related to the University's academic disciplines.

They will come and speak to you in class about how to go about making informed career choices, managing your future career development, accessing opportunities to develop the skills employers demand and achieve your goals. They also organise a range of skills development workshops and a series of careers fairs and employer presentations where you can network directly with graduate recruiters.

They are also on-hand to help if you:

• are unsure about your plans and how to make decisions
• want help with application forms or your CV
• need to know more about where and how to look for jobs
• want information or advice on postgraduate study
• need to practice your interview techniques

Visit our careers service webpages website for more details.

Work experience and internships

Work experience is a great way to build knowledge, skills and to help clarify your career plans. Places are often competitive, but the Careers Service is a good starting point for finding out about work experience and some year-long placements.

You may also want to consider undertaking a more formal period of work experience, sometimes referred to as an ‘internship'. Internships are usually full-time during the summer vacation and are aimed mainly at undergraduate students at the end of their 3rd year of study.

The Careers Service can help you access internships through a number of graduate employers.

International students

If you are an international student on a Tier 4 or student visa, you will be allowed to work in the UK while you are studying. Most international students studying full-time courses are eligible to work up to 20 hours each week during the semester time (ie take a ‘part-time' job) and can also work full time (35 hours or more) during vacations.

Working while you study or during your free time also allows you to meet new people, develop your English if it's not your first language, and provides valuable experience to add to your CV.

If you are considering working in the UK after graduation and are not from an EEA (European Economic Area) country, you will need to check whether you are eligible to work in this country.

The Careers Service can help you to find a part-time job while you study, or seasonal employment for the holidays.

Find out more about living and working in the UK.

Part-time and vacation employment

Part-time work or vacation employment not only helps with paying for books, bills, nights out and other University essentials, it also helps you gain valuable, transferable skills and to improve your graduate employability.

The Careers Service can help you to find a part-time job while you study, or seasonal employment for the holidays. For part-time jobs on campus, please visit our Unitemps office (located opposite to the Student Shop).

For more information on any of our services, please visit the Careers Service web pages.