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Working Abroad
Planning a gap year or a working holiday? Want to improve your language skills? Or investigating the possibility of working abroad?
This page is about temporary and short-term opportunities abroad.
Working holidays and temporary work abroad
There are many opportunities for students either on a gap year or during the vacations to spend time living and working abroad.
You may be able to find work:
- As a Nanny / au pair
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- In the tourist industry
- Helping with environmental work
- Through an organised working holiday / volunteer programme
Whatever your plans careful research is recommended, so that you find out as much as you can and prepare as fully as possible. Not only will you have to research the type of opportunities available but you may also have to apply for work permits or visas, and get any inoculations required and sort out insurance.
If you are taking a gap year your UCAS application can be made for deferred entry so that your place is sorted before you go abroad. If you wait you may have to ensure that you are in the UK for interviews and this may disrupt your plans.
Even though you are planning to earn money while abroad you may need to get some money together before you go to pay for things like travel fares, insurance, accommodation and emergencies.
To find out more about the programmes and opportunities available check out the links on this page.
Working in the EU
In the EU there is free movement of labour, so work permits are not required. The majority of UK professional and educational qualifications are accepted in member states. Your local Connexions Centre can help you check out which qualifications are recognised by other countries.
You can also check out European vacancies on the JobCentre Plus website; use the link on this page. Click on 'looking for a job' then 'work and training in Europe'.
With the global market, the opportunities to work abroad are many and varied, although visas and work permits are still required for most countries outside the European Union.
Work permits
To work in most countries outside the EU, you will need a work permit or entry visa that allows you to look for work. Your success in gaining a work permit will depend on the skills you have, the country you want to work in and how long you will be there. Usually you need the offer of a job before applying for a work permit.
Check out the information on working abroad in your local Connexions Centre library.
