Working in the UK

As well as having the right degree, there is more to getting the job you want and the income you desire.  Employers are now looking for more skills that can’t be obtained from a lecture room.  Gaining work experience and transferable skills takes time, students should consider using their free time to gain as much work experience as they can.

Experience and skills gained from working with a UK based company can be a major advantage when finding a job in today’s graduate employment market.  Every year more students graduate abroad, you have to stand out from the crowd.  Having worked in a British business will be a clear benefit for students when applying for a job in Thailand or it may lead to a permanent job in the UK.

THSS-UK is able assist Thai students to gain work experience whilst studying in the UK in the following categories:

• Unpaid Work Experience / Internship placement

Most work experience placements are unpaid but some companies do contribute to students' lunch or travel costs.  This is at the company’s discretion.  Unpaid work placements can be arranged with selected companies throughout the UK and are subject to availability.  Please contact us for availability. 

To qualify for this programme, students who are already based in the UK must be aged over 18 and have entered the UK on a student visa.  They should also have Intermediate English or above.  For student outside the UK, please refer to English & Work experience.

Students may find that the job they want may be located away from where they are based in the UK. We cannot guarantee that the suitable job will be located near to you.  We can arrange accommodation for you if required.

• Paid work experience / part time job

According to UK immigration Rules, International students who hold a valid student visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during holidays or vacations

Most paid work are minimum wage jobs in the hospitality sector including working in fast food outlets, restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and department stores.  There is, however, some paid work experience available in other sectors for suitable candidates.

Please note that students should not plan on earning substantial income from a part-time job to help pay for their studies.  Students may find that the job they want may be located away from where they are based.  We cannot guarantee that the suitable job will be located near you.  We can arrange accommodation for you if required.

To qualify for this programme, students must be aged over 18 and have entered the UK on a student visa.  They should also have Intermediate English or above.  Paid work experience can be arranged anywhere in the UK and is subject to availability.  Please contact us for availability. 

·        English & work experience

Prospective students residing abroad must take one of our partners’ English courses for a minimum of 5 weeks during their placement. Alternatively, as part of a sandwich programme, you will study English at our partners’ school and then take part in a paid or unpaid work experience for example, in a restaurant or hotel where you will earn UK minimum wage (£5.05 per hour for adults aged 22 years+ and £4.25 per hour for adults ages 18-21 years).  Students will then return to their school after the placement to complete a short English consolidation course, where they will have the opportunity to revise and refine their language skills before the programme ends.

Programme prices depend on the length of your English tuition.  Please contact us and we will be happy to advise on the most suitable course for your individual circumstances.

Students need to hold a STUDENT VISA.  Students with a visitor's visa ARE NOT ALLOWED to follow an English & Work Experience programme.

• Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme

The Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) was launched in October 2004 to enable certain non-EEA students who have successfully completed and obtained a degree (with second class honours or above), Master degree or PhD to work in the UK for up to 12 months upon completion of their studies.  If they want to remain in the UK beyond this time, they can switch into an appropriate immigration category to pursue their career, if they meet the relevant requirements.

Those who commence a Master's or PhD course on or after 1 May 2006 will be eligible for SEGS regardless of their course of study.

SEGS is a intermediary route which enables certain students who have  chosen to study in the UK to have some extra time to seek suitable employment in the UK, and build up some work experience here, after their studies are complete.

THSS-UK can assist students to apply for or switch onto the scheme and can match students with a potential employer.