Durham graduates smiling at camera

CAREERS

Career development and support at every stage

At Durham University you will plan for your future, meet employers and develop your employability skills. Durham University produces some of the UK’s most employable graduates.

In a highly competitive graduate employment landscape, graduates need to demonstrate their strengths and experience to potential employers. You will start to gain the skills for career success at the International Study Centre.

Career-focussed activities are built in to your pathway programme, including:

  • identifying your personal strengths and areas for development
  • developing key employability skills such as problem solving, teamwork, time management and communication
  • creating a personal development plan, identifying your goals for future success.

You'll also have the opportunity to build up work experience by taking up part-time employment or a work placement during your studies. Find out more about working rights as part your visa.

At the University

During your degree at Durham City you will have the full support of the University’s career advisors and resources. To help you stand out from the crowd, you can also complete the College Award and Durham Award.

The first step towards the Durham Award, this career development programme helps to identify and develop your employability skills. 

The College Award involves three steps:

  1. Fill out a Skills Audit and identify areas for development.
  2. Participate in activities to increase your employability skills.
  3. Write a reflective essay about your skills development. 

This highly-respected award is recognised by employers and can make you stand out during job applications and interviews. To achieve the Durham Inspired Award you need to complete a portfolio that demonstrates your employability skills. This portfolio is assessed by Durham University and external employers. 

The Durham Inspired Award portfolio includes:

  • A five-minute video
  • A completed Linkedin profile
  • An activity log
  • Evidence of your activities while at Durham

To begin the Durham Inspired Award, you need to complete the College Award.

University career services

Throughout your studies at Durham University you will have lots of opportunities to meet employers, organise work experience and develop your career skills. 

At Queen’s Campus, the International Study Centre will give you all the support you need. When you successfully progress to Durham City you can take full advantage of the University’s wider career services at the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre. Services include Career Fairs, a careers advisor, and help finding internships.

Work after study

After studying, you can start your career in the UK with the new Graduate Immigration Route – a 2-year post-study work visa for international students graduating from UK universities. Take the first step with a pathway programme at the International Study Centre to gain the skills you'll need both on your degree and in your career.

Discover the Graduate Immigration Route

Arshjit from India

I’ve heard about the amazing faculty that you have and how they actually help you proceed to get a job in your specific career path. To be honest, it’s very hard to get a job these days. So, with their amazing faculty and their recommendations and their help, it’ll help me get a job easily, help me stand out in the crowd.

Arshjit from India
Studied International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering
Now studying BSc (Hons) Computer Science

READY TO JOIN US?

Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.