INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

For some graduate students there is a direct link between their qualification and the employment they choose to enter. Recent examples include Museum Studies graduates who have become curators and Computer Science graduates who have become software developers. Obviously a high number choose to continue with research-orientated careers, both within and outside academia. 

However, some graduates pursue careers that are not directly linked to their subject knowledge but are possible due to the high level of skills developed during their study. Recruiters are becoming increasingly aware of the talent pool of individuals with postgraduate qualifications who have highly developed research, analytical and written communication skills, and many sectors are actively recruiting among them for a range of business roles.

No matter what your reason for undertaking further study and your career ambitions, UCL Careers Service offers a full range of services to suit your needs.

• We offer a full programme of employer-led events specifically aimed at graduate students. These events include postgraduate employer forums and networking events and a range of employability skills development workshops, covering topics such as Commercial Awareness, Networking, and Surviving Assessment Centres.
• UCL Careers Consultants run Master’s and PhD-specific programmes which provide support and advice on career planning, applications and interviews.
• The UCL Careers Information Library has a wealth of information on both UK and international careers and Careers Consultants can assist by offering global information and advice. This includes specific support and information for international graduate students who wish to seek work in their home country, for those who wish to apply to work in the UK through the various work permit schemes available or for those who wish to work abroad. Many UCL graduates choose to pursue their careers abroad. Recent examples include a Construction Manager in Australia, an Architect in Denmark, an Economic Consultant in Canada and an Environmental Conservationist in Indonesia.
• Around 40%* of UCL graduate students choose to begin a career in academia on completing their qualification. Students can attend workshops such as Planning Your Academic Career, Making Academic Applications and Academic Interviews. In addition, some students begin international research careers. Recent destinations include postdoctoral work in Australia, France, Kenya, Japan and the USA. Experienced Careers Consultants can offer advice on academic career planning in the UK and internationally.

Services available to graduate students from the UCL Careers Service

• Personal consultations to discuss future plans, or help with writing a CV or filling in application forms, including PhD-specific appointments
• Practice interviews and mock assessment centre exercises with individual feedback • Bespoke careers adviser-led workshops for graduate students, covering Applications and Interviews, Planning Your Academic Career and Careers Beyond Academia
• Bespoke employer-led events for graduate students including career skills development workshops, networking events and forums. We also run Master’s Quickfix sessions which cover all aspects of career planning and applications including finding and funding a PhD
• Job vacancy information ranging from London-based employers to those across the UK, as well as many international opportunities. Some Research Councils require PhD students to undertake a work placement. The UCL Careers Service can provide support in managing this requirement
• An extensive Careers Information Library, containing UK and international reference and take-away materials on the full range of career sectors, employer information, job hunting techniques and post-graduation gap year opportunities as well as postgraduate-specific help-sheets such as Research Careers Beyond Academia and Academic Careers Beyond Research
• A comprehensive website, email careers advice and an email job vacancy and event notification system. In addition to the above, UCL Careers Service also runs a vast number of careers events which are open to all students. For further details, see www.ucl.ac.uk/careers. UCL Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London. This means that UCL students are eligible to attend events hosted by The Careers Group: www.careers.lon.ac.uk.
  

The Alumni Network – a lifelong communication

When you join UCL as a student you begin a lifelong connection with us and our 150,000-strong global community of former students.

Connected through careers and friendships, our graduates are UCL’s finest ambassadors who work hard to enhance UCL’s reputation as a world-leading organisation.

Since UCL’s foundation in 1826, many of our graduates have gone on to lead the field in their chosen careers. Notable former students include inventor Alexander Graham Bell, journalist and BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen and film director Christopher Nolan (Inception, Batman Trilogy) – so you’ll be joining an illustrious group.

UCL alumni provide ongoing support throughout your time as a student, and after you leave UCL, by:

• offering help and advice through careers mentoring and internships
• providing support for international students through our network of global alumni groups
• funding student scholarships and bursaries, along with student clubs and societies. You’ll be invited to attend our award winning professional networking series and will receive an Alumni Benefits Card bringing you exclusive deals.

You’ll also continue to have access to your UCL email (free, for life) and will be able to attend a host of social occasions. FInd out more about your lifelong relationship with UCL at: www.ucl.ac.uk/alumni.