Career preparation

Support for studying abroad Career preparation

Getting you ready for the world of work

An international education can help you stand out to employers — it’s a great way to give yourself a career advantage. At our international study centres and partner universities, you’ll finish your studies feeling ready to succeed.

A teacher speaking in front of a class at the University of Bristol

Why is career preparation important?

The global job market is highly competitive, and it’s not always easy to stand out among your fellow candidates. Studying abroad could give you an edge.

When you study overseas, you’ll gain valuable international experience that employers really value.
You can also build a global network of contacts that will come in useful once you graduate.

All of this, and the other career skills you’ll learn on your degree preparation course and/or degree, will help you to improve your employability!

“My course helped me land a work placement at one of the Big Four accountancy firms — it’s very exciting and I am so grateful that I got this opportunity.”
Lucy from China
Cranfield University, work placement at Deloitte

Watch now (2 mins)

Rustam, a student from KICL, posing for a picture

“I am so grateful to Kaplan and the University of Westminster for helping me develop my skills and gain experience that will help me in the future. After graduating, I completed a master’s degree — I’m now the Managing Director of an immigration consultancy.”
Rustam from Azerbaijan
Kaplan International College London and the University of Westminster
Managing Director of an immigration consultancy

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Employability on our courses

If you study a degree preparation course with Kaplan, you’ll benefit from a curriculum that places importance on gaining career skills. On your course, you can expect career preparation such as:

The opportunity to engage with professional networks
Live career events with industry professionals
The chance to earn professional certifications
Options to take an online internship
Help building a portfolio of your skills and achievements
The ability to take on a part-time job while you study

University career services

All our partner universities have comprehensive career services that are available to all students. You’ll benefit from dedicated career preparation such as help writing your CV, preparing for interviews and finding a job or internship.

Discover: Career Focus

Visit our blog to learn more about career preparation during your course and degree.

Testimonial from alumni in front of the Savoy London

My course helped me get a job at a 5-star hotel

Watch now (2 min)

A group of students talking, looking a laptop and studying together

What are employability skills and why are they important?

6 min read

Career Focus: What are Life and Career Skills at Kaplan Pathways?

7 min read

Gaining work experience

Gaining work experience both during and after your studies has never been easier.

As well as all the employability skills embedded into our degree preparation courses, many degrees now offer the option to add up to a year of work experience to your study programme. Plus, post-study work visas mean there is the possibility to stay in your study destination for up to three years after graduating to gain further work experience.

Online internship on Kaplan courses

5 min read

If you’re taking a degree preparation course in the UK, you might have the option to add an integrated online internship to your course.

This will give you relevant experience working at a company related to your career ambitions, which will look great on your CV.

Three students out and about wearing graduation robes

Graduate Route Visa

5 min read

International students in the UK now have the option to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduating from university to live and work.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to get work experience in the UK.

Optional Practical Training

7 min read

Optional Practical Training, often referred to as OPT, allows international students to live and work in the USA for one to three years after graduating from university.

Explore career preparation by destination

Wherever you study, you’ll have opportunities to improve your employability.
Choose where you’ll be studying below to see all the kinds of career preparation available to you.