Useful Web References for International Students on Working in the UK

The following information has been provided by Karen Shaw, Senior Adviser (Academic Liaison) at the University of Cumbria following the introduction of new restrictions on the entitlement of international students to work in the UK:

Once in the UK, the majority of EEA nationals are able to work unrestricted hours, nor do they require permission to do so. However we would advise students to confirm this by visiting the UK Border Agency website for further details. Students will require a National Insurance (NI) number and can apply for one by visiting the application page on the Directgov website.

Any non-EEA nationals in the UK should have a visa which indicates the restrictions relating to employment. Visit the UK Border Agency working in the uk webpage for more information.

Normally students on a Tier 4 visa studying in the UK on a full time course which is level 6 or above are restricted to a maximum of 20 working hours per week during term time (except if the work is part of the course and you have permission to do so from the University of Cumbria). Visit the UKCISA working in the uk during your studies webpage for more information.

Students on a Student Visitor visa are not able to work in the UK.

Students who wish to remain in the UK to work after completing their course should refer to UK Border Agency working in the uk webpage UKCISA working in the uk after your studies for information.

Please be advised that it is your responsibility to ensure that you do not break the conditions of your visa. If you are in breach of your visa, you are likely to be asked to return home.

Closure of the Student Associates Scheme

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has decided to close the Student Associates Scheme (SAS), which was used by PGCE applicants looking for work experience in schools, with effect from 31 July 2011.

TDA will launch a new, single School Experience Programme (SEP) from September 2011. The new programme will be available not just to students, but also to other people who are considering entering, or in some cases, re-entering teaching.

Source: Sue Spence, Chair AGCAS Teaching and Related Professions Task Group

Graduate Careers Advice On Video

An interesting development over the past few months has been the continuing rise of careers information resources using video based material.

The latest contributor offering graduate careers advice by video is Career Player but they are certainly not the first and you can find some earlier samples we have saved for the benefit of University of Cumbria Students and Graduates at http://www.delicious.com/skillzone/video

Whether it's any better than what you can find in your local lending library or on sites like Prospects is for you to decide... but video careers information looks like it's here to stay.

The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition

Write the World, a sponsored competition run by The Guardian is looking for enthusiastic writers who want to demonstrate their journalistic abilities by exploring crucial issues that face the developing world.

Entrants need to write a 650-1000 word article by June 13th on an aspect of global poverty needing more media exposure than it currently receives.

For more details see http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/2011-about-the-awards

Source: Letter sent by The Guardian

Fancy Entering the Dragon's Den?

The BBC series Dragons’ Den is open for business once again, giving entrepreneurs from across the country the opportunity to pitch for investment and fulfil their business ambitions.

Last year the multi-millionaire investors offered their own money to 17 worthy entrepreneurs.

The rules are simple: entrepreneurs can ask for cash investment in return for equity in their business. However, they must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing.

The Dragons want to invest in the very best that British business has to offer. They're prepared to listen to a pitch for any type of business but they have to believe that it requires investment and will make money before they'll back it with their own cash. If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, we’d like to hear from you. For an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/apply for details on how to apply.

Source: Email received from Universities UK

Note: Apparently Dragon's Den are very open to applications from students and graduates.

New NHS Nursing Careers Website

NHS Careers have just launched a new website on Nursing careers - www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nursing

NHS Careers say they wish to promote the wide range of nursing careers available as nurse training shifts from a mixture of diploma and degree courses to an all-graduate entry profession by 2013. In the next three years, they think the nursing profession needs to attract enough applicants to fill thousands more degree places.

The new website includes an interactive personality quiz to help people explore their suitability to different areas of nursing, real life stories and video interviews with nurses talking about their jobs.

Without having had the time to take more than a superficial look, it does appear to be a very impressive resource. Whether there will be a major increase in nursing opportunities in the Cumbria area by 2013 is a different matter altogether.

Update on Teaching in Ireland and Northern Ireland

An article on the Irish Teaching Council website states that students commencing teacher training courses in other European states after 1st January 2011 must also complete an induction/NQT year in that country before applying for recognition to teach in Ireland.

If taken literally, this directive looks certain to affect Irish teachers who train in the UK.

Full details are available at http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/latest-news/important-notice-for-those-commencing-a-teacher-education-qualification-outside-of-ireland-from-2011.513.html

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) suggest that vacancies are advertised in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, News Letter and in Educational Journals.

Teachers there are employed by Management Committees, a list of which is available at http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/85-schools/10-types_of_school-nischools_pg.htm#board_addresses

It is also possible to apply for substitute (supply) teaching contracts through the Northern Ireland Substitute Teachers' Register