Working abroad

By gaining global experience, you can enhance your prospects and develop your skills while experiencing new cultures and perspectives. National and international companies increasingly look for graduates who:

• have a global outlook

• are sensitive to different cultures

• can work well within multicultural teams

• demonstrate resilience, flexibility and adaptability

Types of international work

You can choose from several options, including:

• a work placement — usually one year

• an internship — placements range from a few weeks to several months

• vacation work

• teaching English overseas

You could also study abroad during your course or after you graduate.

Go to study abroad information

Go to further study

Working in Europe and Convention de Stage agreements

If you’re a current student planning to do a placement or short-term work experience abroad, you might need to complete a Convention de Stage or a similar agreement like a Convenio de Colaboracion. This is a common requirement in European countries.

The agreement involves the student, the University, and the host employer. You should enquire about this before applying and should not commit to a role until the agreement is signed by all parties.

Manchester Met will only sign our approved Convention de Stage document template. You must be a current student during the placement or work experience. Please contact the Placements Team at [email protected] with details about the role and we will get back to you. We ask for at least three weeks’ notice before your start date to process the agreement.

If you’ve graduated from Manchester Met, the University cannot sign an agreement on your behalf.

If you’re a staff member, you’re entering into a legal agreement if you sign a document. You should first consult with the Placements Team at [email protected].

How to find an opportunity abroad

Get practical advice

These websites will help you understand issues such as job applications, visas, wages and accommodation:

• Prospects: provides profiles of over 20 countries, with information on visas and local labour markets

• TargetJobs: gives information for over 20 countries, including language requirements, job hunting tips, application methods and visa basics

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office: covers a range of issues, including insurance, passports, visas, health precautions and advice on the political situation of around 200 countries — essential reading before you make any decisions

• europa.eu: provides information on living, working and studying in the EU. Includes links to Europe Direct, a free phone and email service to answer your questions about the EU.

• fitfortravel: this NHS service gives travel health information for countries around the world

Search for internships, jobs and exchanges

There are many sources of information about opportunities, including these websites:

• AIESEC: offers international internships from six weeks to 18 months for students and recent graduates

• Highered: opportunities with corporate organisations offering internship, placement, and graduate job opportunities around the world, as a partner organisation, certain data will be shared with the University if you sign up to this service, details of this arrangement are in the Resources area on Highered 

• International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience: provides science, engineering and applied arts undergraduates with paid relevant work experience abroad

• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): helps students find work in the USA for a fixed period of time

• Au Pair America: pairs host families with young people, so they can gain childcare experience, study and learn about American culture

• BUNAC: work and travel experiences around the world, including working holidays and summer camps, and teaching and voluntary opportunities

• CCUSA: summer camp jobs, plus work, internship and volunteer programmes in America, Canada and Croatia

• Rate my placement: student reviews, job and event listings, and employer and industry profiles

• Go Abroad: internship opportunities worldwide, plus teaching jobs, courses and volunteering programmes

• Gradlink: international job opportunities, CV builder service, career advice by country, and sections for China, Southeast Asia, the Gulf, Europe, Canada, Africa and India

• Indeed: advanced job searches, company reviews and country-specific sites to help you find worldwide opportunities

• Prospects: job vacancies, work experience, and teaching opportunities

• Overseasjobs.com: employment opportunities across the globe, career advice, resources for job seekers, and role profiles

• Eurojobs.com: vacancies across Europe and a portal for uploading your CV

You can also view Manchester Met’s guide to European and global graduate training schemes.

Explore vacation and gap year work

Overseas projects are often based in the developing world, working with local communities on issues such as health, social care, education and conservation. Some organisations pay you, others charge a fee. Before you accept a position or make any payments, you should:

• ensure you understand the costs

• review the employer

• seek advice from people who know more about the organisation

• contact a previous participant where possible, to hear first-hand experiences

• speak to the careers and employability service if you are unsure

To find opportunities and advice, visit these websites:

• Prospects: detailed information on how to plan and make the most of a gap year

• Year Out Group: programmes, destinations and organisations, advice for your trip and blogs

• Season Workers: summer and winter opportunities in holiday parks, summer camps, ski resorts, childcare, hospitality, sports, schools and more

• Camp America: opportunities to live and work at a US summer camp

• BUNAC: work and travel experiences around the world, including working holidays and summer camps, and teaching and voluntary opportunities

• CCUSA: summer camp jobs, plus work, internship and volunteer programmes in America, Canada and Croatia