I N T E R N AT I O N A L

STUDENT

TOOLKIT
The PLACE:
Placements, Careers & Enterprise
The PLACE can offer you the following:

CV Checks and careers advice

Careers & Employability Sessions -

arts.ac.uk/careers

Placement related resources -

Activities, events/workshops/resources/1-2-1 support

Ask Me Anything Sessions

every Wednesday at The PLACE from 3pm - 6pm

The PLACE Online moodle page,

which includes useful resources including
a Paid Opportunities section.

Please note, the above activities are

only available during term-time and are
currently online due to Covid-19

For questions about placements

placements@lcc.arts.ac.uk

02
ABOUT THIS TOOLKIT
This toolkit has been developed to help you with every aspect
of employability as an international student in the UK whilst
you are studying at London College of Communication. We
want the best for your future and your placements, careers
and enterprise experience.

Placements, careers and enterprise are incredibly important

for your development and professional practice. Gaining
industry exposure is one of the most valuable experiences
you can have whilst you’re studying.

Whether you are planning for a placement unit, the

Diploma in Professional Studies or are looking to broaden
your industry experience alongside your studies, this toolkit
will provide valuable information and help you along the way.
Our students often say that industry experience gives them
an idea of what their future careers will be like and how they
will incorporate everything that they have been studying into
a work environment.

We hope that your time spent in your chosen industry will

inspire your future career and we will be here to support you.

LCC Placements
London College of Communication
placements@lcc.arts.ac.uk

03
04
TABLE
OF
CONTENT S
The PLACE................................................................................................... 02
About this guide........................................................................................ 03
Working in the UK.................................................................................... 06
Entering the UK labour market.......................................................... 08
Types of Work Visas.................................................................................. 10
Writing your CV........................................................................................... 12
15
Portfolios.........................................................................................................
Networking..................................................................................................... 16
Demystifying the application process............................................. 18
Demo Job Spec and Cover Letter....................................................... 19
Interview Techniques............................................................................... 23
How to get paid......................................................................................... 25
Exploring entrepreneurship.................................................................. 27
Freelancing in the UK.............................................................................. 21
In conversation with;
LCC international students and alumni......................................... 34
In conversation with Michael Murdoch,
CEO & Founder, The House London Ltd...................................... 39
Resources and online jobs boards................................................... 42
Support available at LCC...................................................................... 44
Job-ready checklist by Student Circus........................................... 45

05
Working in the UK
Job Market Landscape
From a jobseeker’s point of view, the UK is a competitive market. Each year a
large number of international students come to the UK for higher studies. Upon
graduating, they are met with the task of kickstarting their professional journey
by finding the right jobs and opportunities.

Let’s look at the current UK Employment Market.

Globally, in the post-pandemic stage, the employer sentiment has been over-
whelmingly positive towards hiring. You will find that employers are planning to
scale up their hiring across all industries. (Q1 2022 ManpowerGroup Employ-
ment Outlook Survey)

Digital roles are by far the most in-demand across the world. In the UK too, IT,
Technology, Telecoms, Communication & Media are leading on the hiring front.
(ISE Vacancy Survey 2022)

Some cities have a concentration of certain industries (for example, London is

the financial capital, Scottish cities are cultural hubs, Manchester and the Mid-
lands are the sporting focal). Post-pandemic, there will also be a flurry of loca-
tion-agnostic or hybrid/remote work opportunities.

In simple words, the UK will have a lot of jobs up for grabs for the next few
years.

06
International Talent in the UK
The UK attracts the best talent from around the world. In the year 2019/20,
there were 538,615 international students studying in the UK.

In the year ending September 2021, there were 428,428 Sponsored study visas
granted (to both main applicants and their dependants), 143% (252,327) more
than the previous year and 55% (152,077) higher than the year ending Septem-
ber 2019. (Home Office)

International graduates have to compete with the domestic graduates as well,

in addition to navigating visa restrictions and cultural mores. Therefore, it’s
important to know where you can find jobs and opportunities suitable for your
background, immigration status, and sector.

Creative Industries Spotlight

The UK has one of the largest creative industries sectors in the world.

Creative industries contributed more than £111bn to the UK economy in 2018.

Advertising and marketing were two of the key drivers of growth in the Creative
Industries.

The creative industries in the UK are booming. There are programmes, grants,
funding, and other financial incentives available for creative professionals. Dif-
ferent parts of the UK often have a locally-specific flourishing creative industry.
The music industry is widespread, Scotland has historical significance, London
is the production hub, and so on.

Top keywords searched by creative sector students:

• Fashion
• Design
• Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Art
• Interior Design
• UX
• Advertising

Source: Student Circus

07
Entering the UK labour market:
From Student to Creative Professional
The difference between
Employment and
Employability
• Employment, simply, refers to the
state of being employed in paid
work.
• Employability is defined as a set
of achievements – skills,
understandings and personal
attributes – that makes graduates
more likely to gain employment
and be successful in their chosen
occupations, which benefits
themselves, the workforce, the
community and the economy.
Breaking into the
UK Labour Market
Getting work experience and intern-
ships, shadowing opportunities and
placements are a great way of break-
ing into the labour market. Many fresh
graduates and students applying for
jobs and internships are faced with
the challenge of not having enough or
adequate work experience. They can
get started by upskilling themselves
through short online courses, using
volunteer experience, or even sharing
about college projects, leveraging
their transferable skills.

• Employability, therefore, is not

just about getting a job, it is
about a broader set of skills and
attributes that will enable a
graduate to be successful
throughout their working life.

08
Entering the UK labour market:
From Student to Creative Professional
Soft Skills Hard Skills

Soft skills are interpersonal skills and
attributes that enable you to interact
with others and promote productivity
in the workplace. They are non-tech-
nical skills and may include how
employees interact and communicate
with colleagues.
Hard skills are skills that you’ve de-
veloped with the help of specific
knowledge or training. If it’s a skill you
learnt at school or through a course,
something you can get tested for, or
get better at with practice, it’s a hard
skill.

Employers value soft skills because
they are transferable, and are not re-
lated to one specific job. Instead, they
are general characteristics that help
employees thrive in the workplace,
regardless of the role or industry.
While hard skills are all about what
you can do at work, soft skills tend to
be the personality traits and qualities
that determine how you approach
that work.

Spotlight: Transferable Skills

• Transferable skills are general abilities you’ll have gained and learned
during your experiences that can be applied to a variety of different
sectors and jobs.
• Knowing about and applying your transferable skills to match a compa-
ny’s needs is essential, especially for international students applying for
various graduate opportunities in different industries.

09
Types of Work Visas

01
Skilled Worker Route
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible
job with only an approved employer who sponsors this visa. It has replaced the
earlier version called the Tier-2 visa.

02
Innovator Visa
As the name suggests, an Innovator visa is applicable if you want to set up
and run an innovative business in the UK. Please note that it must be some-
thing that’s different from anything else on the market. This visa is initially
granted for 3 years and there are no limits on the number of times this visa can
be extended.

03
Startup Visa
Like Innovator Visa, a Startup visa is also applicable if you want to set up and
run an innovative business in the UK. It is suitable for early-stage, high poten-
tial entrepreneurs seeking to establish a business in the UK for the first time,
supported by an endorser (usually their higher education institution).

04
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is meant for leaders or potential leaders in either aca-
demia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology.

10
05
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
People from certain countries or with certain types of British nationality are
allowed to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years under the Youth Mobility
Scheme visa if they meet eligibility requirements.

06
Government Authorised Exchange Visa
This visa is applicable for those who want to come to the UK for a short time
for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Pro-
gramme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised
exchange scheme.

07
Graduate Route
Under the Graduate Immigration Route, eligible international students are
allowed to stay and work (or look for work) in the UK for up to two years after
completing their studies. It is not mandatory for students to have secured
employment to stay in the UK through this route.

Important: Working While Studying

International students who study a full-time undergraduate or post-
graduate degree at a recognised university in the UK are allowed to work
part-time during term time for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during
theholidays. International students are not allowed to be self-employed or
freelance while they’re studying.

11
Writing your CV
CV stands for a curriculum vitae which is a written summary of a your career,
qualifications, and education.

Things to remember when writing your CV

☑ Use a master copy and have two formats E.g. Word and PDF

☑ Tailor your CV for every opportunity to show that you have researched the
company and you understand the role.

☑ Use an appropriate file name E.g. Name-CV-date.

☑ Match your skills and experience to the job spec to show the reader that
you are a suitable candidate. Use similar terminology.

☑ If you don’t have much work experience, talk about your studies and
extra-curricular activities E.g. clubs/societies, collaborative working with peers.

☑ Use examples that evidence your skills and experience. Don’t forget to
mention programs/systems that you use.

☑ Try not to be too vague/ambiguous, the reader doesn’t work with you so
might not understand.

☑ Don’t forget your ‘soft skills’ E.g. interpersonal skills that you need to
communicate and interact with others.

☑ Use positive language and professional writing E.g. led, delivered.

☑ Use bullet points to keep it clear and concise.

☑ Keep it to a maximum of 2 pages, 1 page is even better!

☑ Get permission to pass on your referee’s contact details.

12
CV Action Words

If you led or managed a If you helped to achieve If you were integral

project/task tangible outcomes behind-the-scenes of a
project
Coordinated Accelerated
Executed Advanced Analyzed
Headed Amplified Assessed
Operated Boosted Evaluated
Organized Enhanced Examined
Oversaw Expanded Explored
Planned Expedited Identified
Produced Generated Mapped
Directed Improved Reviewed
Facilitated Maximized Researched

If you applied for If you want to share If you took initiative for
grants/funds and milestones or improvements
secured them achievements
Conserved
Acquired Awarded Consolidated
Forged Completed Decreased
Navigated Demonstrated Improved efficiency
Negotiated Earned Reduced
Partnered Showcased Streamlined
Secured Succeeded
Surpassed

Fonts & sizes

The most acceptable, professional fonts are as follows: Arial, Cambria, Calibri,
Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Veranda.

Use a font that is easy to read.

Font size for the above-mentioned fonts should be a standard 10 to 12.

You can choose bigger sizes for headings and subheadings.

13
Writing your CV - Continued
Recruiters are known to spend 7 seconds on your CV or resume. When the
window to make an impression is so small, you need to get the formatting right.
Margins, i.e the border between the text and the document page, are crucial in
making your resume look professional. Additionally, resumes and CVs are often
run through Applicant Tracking Systems(ATS), so the margins should be kept a
standard 1” on each side.

Often, students decide to trim down the margins in order to fit everything on
one page. Our advice is that you should not sacrifice clean spaces in favour of
CV length.

CV Templates and It’s Nice That: Top creatives show

their CVs - https://www.itsnicethat.
Resources
com/features/the-graduates-
2018-2018-cv-advice-210618
Careers & Employability:
How to Write a CV: https://www.
Artquest: How to create an artist
arts.ac.uk/students/student-ca-
CV - https://www.artquest.org.uk/
reers/career-skills-and-support/
how-to-articles/artist-cv/
how-to-write-a-cv
Vitae: Creating effective CVs
Learning Guide CV:
as a researcher - https://www.
https://www.arts.ac.uk/__data/as-
vitae.ac.uk/researcher-careers/
sets/pdf_file/0024/296403/Learn-
career-management-for-research-
ing-Guide-CV-final.pdf
ers/creating-effective-cvs-as-a-re-
searcher/creating-effective-
If you need support proofreading,
cvs-as-a-researcher
use free, inbuilt services such as
Microsoft’s spelling and gram-
Prospects: Example CVs -
mar checker. Alternatively you can
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ca-
download browser extensions like
reers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/
Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Ginger.
They will do a similar job, however example-cvs
most are only free for a trial period.
Prospects: Writing a personal
statement - https://www.prospects.
ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cov-
er-letters/writing-a-personal-state-
ment-for-your-cv

14
Portfolios
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is simply a comprehen-
sive collection of your work samples
that showcase your skills, experience
and expertise for potential employers
to see. In most creative industries, a
portfolio is important to showcase
your previous work, vision, and style.
It is common for students and
graduates to include projects they
worked on as a part of their degree,
so feel free to include that work. It’s
an opportunity for you to show how
you have put theory into practice.
https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-
ual/apply/portfolio-advice
How can you make a
portfolio?
A portfolio can simply be a collection
of documents, links, or a website. You
can build a portfolio on one of the
following sites:
• The Dots
• MuckRack
• Clippings.me
• Journo Portfolio.
• Behance
• Dribbble
• Portfoliobox
• Coroflot
• Adobe Portfolio
• Carbonmade
• Cargo
• Crevado
• Squarespace
Illustration portfolios - https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=_AK1507zSsk
Games portfolios - https://www.you-
tube.com/watch?v=XBD2FY66XwM
Product portfolio - https://www.you-
tube.com/watch?v=nXqMaQKfyfM
Creative Industries portfolio -
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ga2Vewa_ClU
Product design portfolio -
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=PH2wAdSujT8
Design portfolios - https://www.you-
tube.com/watch?v=X_tUOfHpoyM
First design portfolio - https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=hqYIe5Y76oY
D&AD - https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=WaKDiZ3RQ38
Demo reel portfolios - https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=lp09SC9BZ1Y
Animation / demo reel -
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=WC-yGd1Frx8
Portfolio site - https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=WN4niUJL6b0
Film / Animation portfolios -
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=qn5zcCseRcg
Instagram portfolio - https://mil-
lennialmagazine.com/2016/04/04/
how-to-use-instagram-as-anon-
line-portfolio/
Creative portfolio examples -
https://www.creativebloq.com/port-
folios/examples-712368
Tailoring your portfolio for a very
specific role - https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=hqYIe5Y76oY&t=644s
15
Networking
Networking, in very simple
words, is the process of making
professional contacts. It can
serve multiple purposes:
• You can meet people from the
profession you’re headed into, who
can guide you on matters of finding
a job in the field.
• Great ice-breakers for potential
partnerships, job opportunities,
work experience, shadowing op-
portunities etc.
Reaching out to Alumni
Usually, alumni from your Universi-
ty are very keen to offer guidance
to current students, they are a good
network to tap into because they have
been in your position and you can
use their advice and career paths as
inspiration for your next steps in your
career. To find out which alumni are
working in your industry of choice or
if you want to see where alumni from
your course are working now, head
over to LinkedIn.

• Professional networking helps you Go to the LCC official LinkedIn page.

learn and stay current.
• Creating trusted interpersonal con-
nections helps you gain self-knowl-
edge and confidence, which simu-
lates a feeling of being valued.
Select the Alumni Tab on the LCC
Page.
Use appropriate filters to target
alumni in your field.

Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short overview of who you are which aims to introduce
you to the person you’re talking to. Here’s a sample to help you out with one:

I’m Sherry and I’m a third-year Film Practice student. I’m currently Secretary
of the Film society at university, and I’ve worked on a short film for the BBC
about LGBTQ representation in the media, something I’m really passionate
about. After graduating, I’m looking to work behind the scenes on a television
programme.

I know AB Media are developing a new series on key LGBTQ figures in

Scottish history. I’d love to assist in any way my skills can be useful!

16
Sample messages for reaching out
to alumni on LinkedIn
SAMPLE 1

Hi Simi,

I’m currently a third-year Film Practice student at LCC, and I came across your
profile via the alumni tab on the LCC LinkedIn page.

I’m very interested in pursuing filmmaking in the social sector and would love
to get your input on how I can best position myself in the industry.
I know you must be busy, but I’d be really grateful if you could spare any time
at all to give me some advice, either via phone/video call or if you have time to
grab a coffee.

I am available Monday-Wednesday next week between 11 AM and 5 PM GMT. I

would be truly grateful for any advice you could offer.

Thanks,

SAMPLE 2

Dear Simi,

I’m a current student at LCC studying Graphic and Media Design. I found your
contact information via LinkedIn. I have had experience in graphic design
during my 6-month internship at ABC communications, and I am currently
looking for a UX design internship in London next summer.

I see that you made a similar transition into UX design, so I was hoping that
you might be willing to speak with me for a few minutes to discuss how you
made this move successfully.

Thanks, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Kind regards,

17
Demystifying The Application
Process For International Students
Arrive in the UK.

Access resources to help you

write your CV

Send it to careers-support@
arts.ac.uk for written feedback.

Start your job search by

researching, networking and
sending your CV to potential
employers/placement
providers.

Begin the recruitment process.

Complete online psychometric

tests, if applicable.

Prepare for assessment centres

and interviews.

Get the job!

18
Demo job specification
Below is an example of a job spec for a Junior Digital Designer and on the
following pages are examples of correspondence that are directly linked to the
job spec. You can refer to these samples to give you an idea of what informa-
tion you should include.

Example:
Junior Digital Designer @ Smith Design

The Role:
• Supporting our Digital Designer on taking briefs based on the business ob-
jectives, offering design options for consideration, developing, and delivering
final design/artwork to approval and delivery deadlines.
• Support the creation of brand guidelines and ensuring that brand consisten-
cy is met across all design outputs.
• Design, build and sending of automated and weekly campaign emails.
• Helping to produce best in class wireframes and UX, ensuring that the cus-
tomer experience is continuously at the forefront.
• Ability to edit Video content for various outputs such as Social, Adverts and
Web.
• Work alongside the content team to ensure that creative requirements for all
channels are met.
• Support the designing, producing, and uploading creative across the entire
website, social platforms, and email platforms.
• Researching competitors and producing ideas for online improvement
across all channels.

You:
• Industry experience and/or understanding of Digital Design.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic about learning/developing design skills.
• Forward thinking and innovative approach to design projects.
• Good communication and confident to show initiative.
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and manage projects.
• Good time management and can work with pace.
• Positive approach to constructive design feedback.
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

To apply: please send your cover letter, CV and portfolio to Anna Smith

19
Demo cover letters
Cover Letter Sample for Demo job spec

Dear Anna,

I came across the job listing for Junior Digital Designer on LinkedIn. I’d like to
express my interest in the role and have attached my CV and portfolio for your
reference.

It has been exciting to see Smith Design blossom from when it first launched
to date. It’s certainly making waves in the sector with some high profile clients.

I strongly relate to the sector and as an international student, I have a keen

understanding of the industry in both my home country and the UK. I believe I
can add valuable insights as both an international student as well as a creative
who has worked with similar companies in my home country.

Currently, I am a Graphic and Media Design student at LCC, graduating class

of 2022. I am also the lead Designer for the University magazine. As the editor,
I am responsible for leading the editorial, design and marketing efforts of the
magazine and utilise packages such as Photoshop and InDesign on a regular
basis. This involved both editorial and design decisions as well as the fundrais-
ing for printing magazines through ad-sponsorships. Our magazine won the
Best Design at the Student Union awards in 2021.

If given a chance to work for Smith Design, I would love to ramp up their of-
ferings in the digital space using a marketing-driven mindset, replicating the
success of the magazine and beyond.

Thanks for considering my application. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours Sincerely,

20
Cover Letter Sample for Speculative Application

Dear Anna,

I am a recent Graphic and Media Design graduate looking to launch my career

in the digital design industry.

Smith Design’s work for its various clients in the sector has been catching ev-
eryone’s attention, so I’m aware that your training is second to none.

The blog you publish with the case studies of the projects done for clients has
been a great inspiration to me and gave me unique insights that helped me
win a graduation prize for my academic project creating video content for a
marketing campaign for a charity. This opportunity allowed me to develop my
skills in InDesign. I would love to use my skills to help Smith Design scale new
heights and I’m writing to you to see what employment opportunities are avail-
able.

I already have some experience in the sector having completed a summer in-
ternship. I spearheaded the design for the fundraising campaign, coordinating
the efforts of the social media and event management and fundraising team
members. We managed to surpass the fundraising target for the month and
had a trending hashtag for two days in the UK midlands region.

Thank you for considering my interest in working for Smith Design. I cannot
emphasise enough what an amazing opportunity it would be to work for your
team and grow my knowledge and experience with you. I’d love to to get a few
minutes to speak to you and learn more about how I can help contribute to any
of your projects.

Yours Sincerely,

21
Sample email responses
Accepting the call for Interview

Dear Anna,

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to go through my profile and ap-
plication for the role of Junior Digital Designer. Thank you also for the invitation
to interview for the position. I appreciate the opportunity, and I look forward to
meeting with you on Thursday, April 9 at your London office.

If I can provide you with any further information prior to the interview, please
let me know.

Yours Sincerely,

Sample Follow-up Email After an Interview

Dear Anna,

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about the position of Ju-
nior Digital Designer this morning. It was really interesting to learn more about
your organisation and how I could contribute if given the opportunity.

You mentioned you’re still interviewing candidates so I just wanted to share

that I am very keen on the role and believe that I could make a valuable con-
tribution with my skills and experience in the sector where the majority of your
clients operate.

Finally, attached you will find the details of some of the projects we talked
about. Please feel free to contact me if you find you need any more informa-
tion. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thank you once again.

Yours Sincerely,

22
Techniques to prepare examples
for interviews
How to answer questions at interview

STAR technique

• Situation - the situation you had to deal with

• Task - the task you were given to do

• Action - the action you took

• Result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned
from the experience

C.A.R. technique
Context/Challenge: This is the set-up for your story. Set the context and give
all relevant details of the challenge you were facing.

Action: How did you react to the challenge? Share your big hero moment and
show that you are solution-oriented.

Result: What was the payoff of your efforts? Did your ideas and actions help
solve the problem and effectively address the challenge? Share both quantita-
tive and qualitative results.

23
Common interview question
examples and how to answer
“Describe A Challenge or
Conflict You Overcame.”
Highlight your strengths: Pick
your words appropriately to show-
case your strong points. You could
say: “In case of a conflict situation,
I actively attempt to readjust my
attitude. I also listen to the other
person’s viewpoint and take their
comments on board. I have learned
that moving a challenging situation
to a private space helps avoid com-
plications.”
Explain the context & process
Take the interviewer behind the
scenes. Explain how you rec-
ognised the problem. Then illustrate
your proactiveness and creative
thinking. Present a case for your
solution and what it achieved.
“Give An Example Of A
Time You Showed
Initiative.”
Share experiences: Try to recall
instances from your previous jobs,
internships, or even during any
college event. You can talk about
a new project that you started or
solved a problem even if it was not
your responsibility.
Provide context and details:
Clearly outline your skills and
strengths. Use this answer to high-
light the qualities that you think are
not mentioned in your CV. Use this
question as a space to explore the
routine as well as creative activities
where you demonstrated initiative.

“Give me an example of a time when you weren’t able to

meet a deadline.”
Share why you missed it: Talk about a specific situation where you missed a
deadline due to unforeseen or unplanned circumstances. What steps did you
take to manage expectations about the task not being delivered on time?
Own it: Take personal responsibility for the shortcoming and talk about how
you ensured that such a situation can be prevented in the future.

You can access UAL’s interview simulator to practice your interview skills
https://www.arts.ac.uk/students/student-careers/career-skills-and-support/
interview-skills-advice

24
How to get paid
Getting paid fairly is an important part of professional work. Here are some
things to keep in mind.

National Insurance and PAYE

• To be able to receive payments/salary, you need to have your National Insur-

ance (NI) number
• You have a National Insurance number to make sure your National Insurance
contributions and tax are recorded against your name. It’s made up of letters
and numbers and never changes.

National Insurance number application

• You can apply for a National Insurance number if you live in the UK and have
the right to work in the UK. The application process is online via the HMRC
website.
• You can do this even when you’re an international student in the UK and
have the right to work up to 20 hours during term time according to your
Student Visa.
• You must also be looking for work or have an offer to start work in the UK. If
you have already started working you can still apply.

Payment of National Insurance

• In case of job employment:

You pay National Insurance with your tax. Your employer will take it from your
wages before you get paid. Your payslip will show your deductions including
National Insurance and tax.

• In case of self-employment:

You pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, depending on your profits.
Most people pay both through Self Assessment.

25
How to get paid
Self-Employment Taxes - graduates/alumni only

For self-employed individuals, the taxes to be paid are determined based on

the amount earned and the business expenses.
Here are the applicable bands for tax calculation for the 2021-22 tax year:

2021-22 tax year (6 April 2021 - 5 April 2022)

England/Wales/Noth- Taxable Income Income Tax Rate
ern Ireland Tax Band
Personal allowance Up to £12,570 0%
Basic rate £12,571-50,270 20%
Higher rate £50,271-150,000 40%
Additional rate £150,001+ 45%

Disclaimer: Nothing mentioned on this page should be treated as expert

financial advice. You should consult a financial advisor or accountant for expert
help.

26
Exploring entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a common choice among international students. In fact,

57% of UK university startups have an international founder. For graduates who
have a viable business idea and business acumen, this can be a fruitful path to
pursue.

Funds, Accelerators and boot camps

• The Mayor’s Entrepreneur Programme: If you have a viable, sustainable

business idea, you can apply to the programme. There are five awards each
with a £20,000 prize fund. They even have a separate segment for Creative
Industries businesses.

• If your business idea is about sustainable social change, The Stephen Lloyd
Awards are open to early-stage projects that could bring about practi-
cal, sustainable social change. Ten shortlisted applicants will receive up to
£2,000, along with expert support to help them further develop their ideas.
The winner will be awarded up to £20,000.

• UAL Awards, funding and support: UAL students and graduates can ac-
cess a range of funding, mentoring and advice to launch or grow your busi-
ness. UAL provide: Business development programmes, mentoring, interna-
tional Start-up visas, inspiring events and workshops.

https://sifted.eu/articles/student-startup-founders-data/

27
Business Model Canvas
The Business Model Canvas can help you get clarity on your business model
and needs. Use this template to lay out all the aspects of your
business-in-making.

28
Exploring entrepreneurship
SWOT analysis template

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Businesses operate in an environment that is defined by many external and in-
ternal factors that keep changing. Knowing how each of these factors impacts
your business and plans is important. This way you can minimise the negative
impact of a threat and optimize the use of a positive change in the environment.

A SWOT analysis is a technique for assessing these four aspects of your busi-
ness. Strengths and Weaknesses pertain to your businesses, while Opportuni-
ties and Threats come in from the external environment that you’re operating in.

Strengths Weaknesses

• What do you do well? • What could you improve?

• What are the resources uniquely • Where do you have fewer
available to you? resources than others?

Opportunities Threats

• What trends could you take advan- • What actions of your competition
tage of? can harm your growth?
• How can you turn your strengths • What threats do your weaknesses
into opportunities? expose?

Freelancing as a Graduate

If you are entrepreneurial and want to become self employed and work for a
variety of clients, on a retainer or a project basis, you should consider freelanc-
ing if you have a Graduate Route Visa. Think of freelancing as running a busi-
ness. You are selling your skills — writing, design, coding, etc — to clients. To be
successful in your career, you will, therefore, need both creative skills as well as
hard business skills.

29
Business Terms you should know
when starting out
• MVP: MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. It refers to the basic version
of a product with functional features so that early customers can test it out
and provide feedback.

• Product roadmap: A product roadmap is a visual summary that maps out

the vision, direction, and progress of your product offering over time
•
• Assets: An asset is something that provides a current, future or potential
economic benefit for your business.
•
• Liabilities: These are financial obligations of a business, usually debt or
money owed, that results in the company’s future sacrifices of economic
benefits.
•
• Revenue: It refers to the income generated by the sale of goods or services.
•
• Expenses: This is the money spent, or costs incurred, by a business in order
to generate revenues.
•
• Balance Sheet: It is a financial statement that reports a company’s assets,
liabilities, and shareholder equity at a given point in time.
•
• Profit Margin: It refers to the amount by which revenue from sales exceeds
costs in your business.
•
• B2B/B2C: Depending on the type of business model, your company can
be “business-to-business” that provides services or products to other busi-
nesses. Or, it can be a B2C, or “business-to-consumer” company that sells
directly to individual consumers.

30
Freelancing in the UK
How to find your first Here are some things you
client? should know about
freelancing in the UK
The following platforms are worth
bookmarking to check if there are Client management and project
freelance opportunities that suit management constitutes a big
your skillset. part of your work as a freelancer.
This involves, among other things,
Upwork handling emails, meetings and
Fiverr agreeing on working hours, and
Freelancer.com invoicing.
PeoplePerHour
Worksome You are not allowed to freelance
The Dots on a Student Visa. On your Stu-
Toptal dent Visa, it mentions that you’re
Freelancer Map allowed to work up to 20 hours for
PepperContent.io an employer during term time, but
Contently self-employment is not allowed.
SolidGigs
Aquent As a freelancer, you are responsi-
WeWhoDo ble for your own taxes. You should
Guidepoint also have a basic understanding
Freelancers in the UK of the IRS 35 rules. These rules are
Behance applicable for workers (sometimes
Dribbble known as contractors) who offer
99designs their services through their own
FreeUp limited company or another type
Codeable of intermediary to the client.
Contena
Media Bistro Also keep an eye out for calls
Journo Resources and applications invited over so-
Work for Impact cial media and share about the
Production Base services you are offering with
ProductionHUB peers and mentors. Word of
Ifyoucouldjobs.com mouth is a powerful tool. Cold
UnderPinned Freelance Business outreach is another business
Accelerator skill you should develop. The
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understand-
samples in the next section be-
ing-off-payroll-working-ir35
31
In conversation with LCC
international students and alumni

01.
In conversation with Ms Chun-I Wang

Introduction

I am Chun-I, I come from Taiwan, where I worked as a UX designer. I completed

my Master’s degree in Service Design from LCC. I wanted to expand my hori-
zon in terms of the sectors I was serving, to see how my design knowledge can
be brought to the public sector or businesses. I have also dabbled in freelance
projects, short-term assignments and contractual projects. I also did a summer
internship programme as a part of my major and now I’ve graduated.

Where did you find out about these opportunities?

Honestly, I did not actively look for them. Rather, most opportunities came my
way through my network and referrals. A friend’s friend would recommend me
for a project and inquire about my availability.

But it can be challenging for an international student to be connected to rele-

vant opportunities. My prior experiences were in Taiwan, so adapting to the UK
work culture was an adjustment, both in practice and in convincing employers
about the relevance of my skills.

How can international students maximise the effectiveness of their job

search process in the UK creative sector?

• So far, I’ve seen the most crucial thing is networking. It’s a totally new envi-
ronment for us, so we need to start building on the network we have. Net-
working is hard, no doubt, whether it is a virtual space or an in-person event.
But that’s also why the skill of networking is important to learn, so you can
navigate cultural differences better.

• The first step in networking is finding a common ground. If an alumnus or

speaker comes to the college to give a talk, it is a good idea to follow up on
that with them, share what you enjoyed about their talk, and add any

32
questions you might have, in that sequence. This can be done over a connec-
tion request on LinkedIn or other contact details they might have shared.

• Use LinkedIn extensively. If you find a company you’re interested in has a

vacancy, try and find if any of your connections work there. If there’s any
shared connection, explore if they can make a soft introduction. They will be
willing to respond to you if you craft a professional message.

In your experience, how willing are employers to hire international stu-

dents for design-related roles? How can internationals set themselves
apart in the hiring process?

Whether they will sponsor or not depends on the company culture. Organisa-
tions that are keen on a diverse team will be willing to hire internationals. As a
candidate, I would emphasise the international experience that I bring. I am ap-
plying for the Graduate Visa so I am able to say that I don’t need sponsorship.

What has your application process been like so far?

It’s already been a month-long journey. Over time, I have improved my skill of
replying to professional emails from HR or product leads. After every interview
experience, I review my responses, my expression and my speaking style.

After interviews, I also give thought to what can be improved in my CV or port-

folio. I also used the 1-2-1 CV check from Careers and Employability, which
helped me better my CV in terms of layout, font, etc.

What advice do you have for international students? How can they make
the most out of their internship or job application process and experience?

One key thing students should keep in mind is the timing: most graduate roles
open September-November but that’s also quite a busy time for LCC students.
January to March is a good time for applying too, but the roles available would
be selective. So, we need to prepare beforehand for these timelines.

You need to learn the networking and emailing etiquette faster, so get your
hands on email templates and other such resources to improve your chances of
getting responses from recruiters and hiring managers.

33
02.
In Conversation with Ms Patima Nitayachai
​​
I am Pat, in my third year at LCC studying BA in Animation, and more specifi-
cally, visual effects. I am an international student from Thailand.

Why do you want to work in the UK? What has your job search experience
in the UK been so far?

]I am planning to find work in the UK upon graduating because the creative

sector back home in Thailand isn’t as lucrative. I’m looking at internship oppor-
tunities and entry-level positions.

Right now, I’m working on a project, to which I was connected through my tu-
tor. Mostly this is how it happens: someone knows someone and gets in touch
with me, “they need some work on a green screen and can pay around this
much, would you be available and up for it?” For such projects, the pay may not
be a lot but it’s a good experience. A lot of it is meeting the right people and
knowing the right people. So when you work on one project, you work with ac-
tors and producers of the project, who will work on more projects in the future
and that’s how your network builds gradually.

Apart from these, I have done part-time jobs provided by the school. These are
more student-led, ambassador jobs.

How did you land the opportunities that you were connected to?

I started preparing early on so that when the opportunities came my way, I was
ready. One, it’s really important to have a LinkedIn account, maintain and orga-
nise it. You don’t stop at connecting with people and adding them, you have to
go the extra mile of interacting with them, sharing updates about projects you
have worked on, commenting on updates about other people’s projects, and so
on. You do one project and then it has a snowball effect. You put out your work
into the world, so you can get to do more projects. Another important part is
having a website or portfolio of your work, shared actively on your LinkedIn.

What resources did you use for the application process, or to understand
the UK job market a little better?

34
I visited the Careers and Employability to get advice on my CV and cover letter.
At the time, I wasn’t ready with my portfolio yet, as there were multiple projects
going on. When I was applying for roles that seemed really competitive, I would
enlist the help of the careers services and incorporate the feedback they pro-
vided me.

I would also attend many workshops and similar sessions, so learning from
people first-hand was very helpful. Initially, I had to also apply for the National
Insurance Number. I did that within two months of my arrival in the UK so that
helped smooth things for me in the future. Being proactive here is key.

Writing compelling cover letters is important for student jobs because they look
for enthusiasm and energy more than experience. You will also receive a re-
sponse if your CV is accompanied by a cover letter.

What skills do you think are the most important for international students?

These are definitely soft skills that are often hinted at in the job descriptions. If
they are looking for problem-solvers or innovators or original thinkers, that’s the
point I pick out and align with my background and experience. The best way
is to list down the top hard and soft skills that the hiring manager is asking for
and then relate them with your profile through examples. International students
are naturally highly adaptable and willing to try new things.

Hard skills in visual effects would include skills in software tools like Maya,
Nuke, among other computer graphics software.

How do you plan on navigating the job search process upon graduating?
What is your insight into the visual effects industry from an employability
perspective for international students?

I think creative communities are small, so people know each other. So as an

international student, you just have to find inroads into the network. Thereon,
it’s easy to share your skills and others will know the level and perspective you
bring to your skill.

The Graduate Route is also going to help us get a level field for internationals
as it takes the burden away from the employers to immediately sponsor fresh
graduates. I will keep my options open and also look for jobs in Thailand simul-
taneously, but the Graduate route definitely opens more doors in the sector for
me.

35
How do you think international students can set themselves apart during
the application and hiring process?

I would definitely mention my multi-lingual skills. Being able to speak different

languages – I speak English and Chinese — is helpful when agencies or com-
panies have projects with clients from that culture or language. I have also lived
in different countries throughout my life, like Japan and Singapore as well, so I
have a strong connection with the Asian culture and understand the local con-
texts well.

How would you sum up your overall career experience so far in the UK, in-
cluding the best and most challenging parts?

The best part is that by being proactive in the job search process, you are al-
ready gaining skills. Even if you face rejections initially, you learn to make better
applications and better portfolios and become resilient. The challenging part is
also the reams of rejections you might get, but you can certainly channel it into
positive motivation. You should always know that the rejections are never per-
sonal, it’s often a case of cultural fit, which has nothing to do with the quality of
your work.

The most important thing is to keep an eye out for every opportunity and grab
it when one comes knocking on your door.

03.
In Conversation with Anna Holub

Introduction

I am Anna, an international student from Ukraine. I’m in year 3. I’ve done Foun-
dation at LCC in Filmmaking. The way it’s taught in the UK is very different, so
then I chose Public Relations which aligns well with my goal to be a filmmaker
as I have learned a lot about people’s psychology, sociology, the business of
filmmaking. It gave me an understanding of how to make money out of my cre-
ative pursuits.

I have done features myself, collaborated with friends, as an actor, director and
screenwriter. Simultaneously, I’m trying to build a career with my public rela-
tions knowledge. So, I think of this as having two careers: one to make money
and one that I am passionate about.

36
What are the main challenges you face as an international student?

I need to have a work contract and a visa to be able to work in the UK, which
is hard to get and expensive. Further, filmmaking is not a job where you’re offi-
cially employed all the time… which makes it hard to plan the future. As a grad-
uate, you also want to be financially independent and be able to provide for
yourself. What we would get paid for the project would cover our expenses, but
it still won’t be equivalent to a paycheck and doesn’t come with perks.

I have an internship in public relations right now where I am being paid, but in
the filmmaking field — which I am passionate about — the job security doesn’t
come right away. This is also why I chose the Public Relations course and in the
optional unit, I choose filmmaking or visual communication.

How helpful is the Graduate Route for students in your situation?

It’s definitely very useful. As an international student getting employed, espe-

cially in the creative sector is not easy, because you have to pay your bills and
constantly look for work assignments. So the Graduate Route allows us time to
explore, but the creative fields like acting, filmmaking, etc are also very subjec-
tive. You never know if your creative output will be liked or not. It’ll either pay off
or not. There is no scheme or qualification, per se. You can become a filmmaker
with a brilliant idea, or by accident.

How can international students get hired for creative projects? What’s the
value proposition?

So for most workplaces in the UK, I think it is important for employers to un-
derstand that we can bring a lot of value to those workplaces due to our dif-
ferences. I think international students are what make education in the UK
amazing. We speak different languages, I understand my local culture in a way
that people from the UK may not. When workplaces hire international people,
it provides a lot of value. I was doing an internship once in a PR agency, and
I was the only international person on the team, with the rest of the team be-
ing British. I brought a lot of insights and ideas from my work experience back
home. There’s immense value in cross-cultural exchange. When I was working
in Ukraine, I was using my British experience. When I’m working in the UK, I’m
bringing my Ukraine experience. International students have to think more cre-
atively.

37
With PR, it was much easier because public relations is more academically driv-
en. However, it was hard to find a paid internship opportunity. One of my first
internship experiences was at a big PR agency in London, where I was over-
worked and unpaid. It took me a while to find an opportunity that was paid. So
I would do some work on LinkedIn, or share my interests with our professors,
who would then share any suitable opportunity our way.

What was your application process like?

I applied last summer to 35 agencies and bagged an internship in one of them.

Most didn’t answer and some responded that they weren’t currently looking.
In my current internship, I started in February. They interviewed me in a short
interview and then I started the next week. Compared to what I was being paid
as an actor in my last gig, this was a great opportunity from the financial angle.

How did you figure out the email etiquette and networking etiquette? What
resources did you use?

There was a lot of trial-and-error and I only figured it out in my second year. My
LinkedIn page was my main focus. When you’re looking for a communications
job, the best way to showcase your communication skills is through your social
presence. I began connecting with people from the industry whose jobs were
interesting to me. Then I would follow a web: people they follow, and, in turn,
reach out to these people even before there’s any opportunity in their company.
Relationship building is a big part of this. If you apply in response to an open-
ing or call for applications, they could take months to reply to you, but if you
have already built a rapport with them, they will likely respond faster.

What advice do you have for your international peers?

One, don’t be afraid to bring your national identity into your workplace because
your experience is extremely valuable and unique. It’s what can even get you
hired on projects with specific needs. Companies in the UK will benefit im-
mensely from your experience back home.

Two, do some research before coming to the UK. Network beforehand so that
at least some people know you in the UK before you move.

Three, make friends from many different countries and nationalities. They’re
your network. And being friends with people from different cultures will broad-
en your horizon so much. It also teaches you to be respectful of everyone’s
values.

38
In conversation with Michael
Murdoch, CEO & Founder, The
House London Ltd.
What is The House? Who is a candidate working for when they work for
The House?

The House is a branding and communications agency. We focus on branding,

creating identities and guidelines. We venture into a whole gamut of offerings,
from animations and packaging to WordPress websites, forming the brand
story, the marketing value proposition, among other assets for a wide range of
organisations. While many of our customers are in the EdTech and education
space, we also cater to clients in other sectors, like social enterprises, charities
and nonprofits, even restaurants, hotels, and FMCG companies. We started
The House in 2009, and I have personally been in the industry for nearly two
decades. I trained as a graphic designer at the University of West of England,
Bristol and also did 6 months of Study Abroad in Hong Kong.

“I’ve been an international student as well. I worked out there (in Hong
Kong) for a couple of years after graduating. I would say that my inter-
national identity was helpful for me to bag that job, as my boss in Hong
Kong was also from the UK and that common ground helped immensely.
I landed that job because I interacted with him, we got along well, I had
the right qualifications and therefore got the role.”

What are the kinds of jobs/positions/roles that you offer?

We offer a mix of engagements, as any small agency does: some roles are for
freelance consultants, some candidates are hired on a project basis and some
on a contractual basis, some are full-time engagements while others are part-
time.

In terms of skills and roles, we hire graphic designers, brand specialists, brand
strategists, copywriters, website developers (front end and back end, often fo-
cusing on WordPress, but sometimes we expand to Drupal and mobile apps as
well), and less frequently, animators, or illustrators, when something very be-
spoke is needed. Our requirements are dependent on the projects.

39
Would you consider entry-level (international) candidates who might not
have formal professional experience but have done college projects or a
standalone commission or assignment?

When we started the company, we definitely went down the route of offering
three-months-long internships, which we designed as useful and educative
experience opportunities for students and graduates. In the past, we had an
international student from Malaysia and another from the UK who worked with
us for three months. We ended up employing them both. The candidate from
Malaysia had two years to remain in the UK on her post-study work visa. At the
end of the two year period, unfortunately, the visa sponsorship process was not
cost-effective for us, as a small agency, so when she moved back to Malaysia,
we continued to work with her remotely for a while.

Today, we definitely work with slightly more experienced candidates, but we are
always open to graduates, depending on the projects and opportunities avail-
able.

What skills do you seek in the candidates? What stood out for you, for ex-
ample, in the two candidates you offered a role to?

Both were talented, had the right qualifications and the enthusiasm and ener-
gy that made them a right fit for the group. As a candidate, you should think
creatively about how you can stand apart – this candidate from Malaysia had
brought us something that resonated with — and was a wordplay on —“The
House” and that definitely helped her get an interview opportunity with us.

It’s the same principle we use as an agency: if we are pitching to a client in the
Netherlands, how are we going to appeal to their tastes or culture? I recom-
mend always going the extra mile and doing your research about the organisa-
tion or company.

What advice would you give to fledgling creatives? How can international cre-
ative professionals break into the industry and thrive?

As someone who is just starting out in the industry, focus on doing the best job
that you can. Dive in with a thirst for learning and become a sponge, extracting
as much information and learning as much as you can from your employer. If
you’re lucky enough to land an opportunity, then make the most of it.

Network and get to know people in the organisation, because your current
colleagues can open doors for you whenever they head next.

40
Knowing the right people in the creative community can give you a headstart.
As an employer, we all tap into our network first before going to recruiters or
job boards. When a requirement arises, we first ask our team members, “Do
you know anyone looking for a job? Do you have any friends, family, people that
you trust that you think would be a good fit?”

Next, put your work out there for people to see. Share projects you have
worked on — these could be paid work or passion projects. Potential employ-
ers just need to know that you have the ability to deliver. Engage with other
people’s work if it’s in the relevant space. Employers will Google you and it will
come up with your social media handles, with LinkedIn being the one employ-
ers will be keen on. I also recommend having a portfolio of your work — at least
a PDF file with all case studies and projects and at best, a website made using
Squarespace, Wix or Behance to display all your work under one virtual roof.

Finally, how do you feel about working with international students/grad-

uates/talent? Is it better? Harder? Do internationals catch your eye when
hiring?

I think the remote work set-up has allowed people to work with us without even
having to leave their country. I’ve worked with people in Asia, in the Middle
East, in Europe and in South America, and clients all over the world in similar
areas. As long as the person can deliver the work and communicate well online,
we are happy to work with anyone. In the case of employing international grad-
uates in the UK, I see the barriers from a legal-financial point of view. It’s also
an enormous commitment and pressure to ask someone to set up life in a dif-
ferent country, so we will need that employment decision to really work out.

Considering the human aspect of physical relocation, we are working with

nationals from different countries like Serbia, India, and so on, through a strong
tech stack, with Trello, Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, that have made every-
thing so seamless. What’s paramount to us is that a candidate can deliver great
work and has a working style that fits in with the rest of the organisation.

41
Resources and online jobs boards
Leapers
Leapers supports the mental health of freelancers and the self-employed. They
are a free and inclusive community project for anyone who works differently.
They have a really active slack community.

The Just Us Collective

Anyone working in the creative design industry would benefit from the collec-
tive that aims to create a place to showcase work, read original stories, have
discussions and share thoughts about the industry.

The Marketing Meetup Community

The Marketing Meetup is a marketing community created by marketers, for
marketers. This is an excellent platform to meet marketing professionals and
network with them. You can find peers, potential mentors, highly experienced
pros, as well as beginners.

Creative Bloq
If you wish to stay updated with trends, get expert tips and tutorials, check out
Creative Bloq.

Create Jobs
Create Jobs is an online platform that connects a pool of professionals with
peers, partners and opportunities. They deliver training, mentoring, career sup-
port and advice, events and networking opportunities for diverse and talented
young creatives in London – connecting them to the best employers and op-
portunities in the cultural, creative and digital industries.

Creative Access
Creative Access is a leading diversity, equity and inclusion organisation in the
UK with deep expertise across the creative economy. They provide progressive
career support and development for talent from communities under-represent-
ed in the creative industries.

42
Arts Jobs Online
A jobs board for a plethora of arts careers across all levels.

SocialFixt
A jobs board and platform aimed at boosting employment prospects for Black
talent within the UK’s creative industry

Female Muslim Creatives

A non-profit arts organisation seeking to support Muslim women artists.

Film Pro
Film Pro is an organisation of digital artists led by disabled people. It hopes to
enhance the diversity of the UK and the worldwide arts sector.

Creative Mentor Network

They offer a range of mentoring programmes, training opportunities and a net-
work of employers to help those with low socio-economic backgrounds break
into the creative industries.

Do That Thing
They run a mentorship for Black and ethnic minority creatives in the UK.

43
Support
What is aAvailable
contact point at LCC
and why are they so important?
You’re not on your own, use all of the support available to you while studying at
LCC. Below is a list of contacts you might find useful, so stay in touch!

• Careers and Employability - Careers-support@arts.ac.uk

• Creative Opportunities

• Student Advice Service - student.services@arts.ac.uk

• LCC Mobility - mobility@lcc.arts.ac.uk

• Creative Attributes Framework

• Career Resources

• UAL Arts Temps

• Managing your Intellectual Property

• Student Services - Disability and Dyslexia - If English is an additional

language to you, you can access language support and development services
via UAL’s Language Centre

• The PLACE online - Use UAL Login via Moodle

• Careers support for international students

44
Job-ready checklist by
Student Circus
Industry-readiness Checklist

☐ 01. CV and cover letter

☐ 02. Portfolio with testimonials & contact details
☐ 03. Review your online presence
☐ 04. Register with online jobs boards
☐ 05. Subscribe to Industry Newsletters
☐ 06. Elevator Pitch
☐ 07. Skills certifications
☐ 08. Join Professional Communities
☐ 09. LinkedIn messages
☐ 10. Speculative applications
☐ 11. Pricing/salary expectations
☐ 12. National Insurance Number
☐ 13. Ensure you have quality referees
☐ 14. Upskill for the job of your dreams

45
 Good luck from us!

We hope that you have found

our Interational Student Guide
helpful and wish you the best
in all your future endeavours.

A bright future awaits!