Immigration Advice

Some useful resources just in case you had forgotten them:

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is an essential resource for finding out about visa and immigration issues.  They have a helpline where you can get one-to-one advice based on your own circumstances. You can call 020 7107 9922  Monday – Friday 13.00 – 16.00 hrs

The UK Borders Agency website has lots of information about immigration but it isn’t always the easiest to navigate through or to read.  This part tells you about post-study work visa applications and this about your right of appeal if your post-study work visa application is rejected.

Some students who have more complicated circumstances may prefer to seek legal advice through an immigration lawyer. Vicash Ramkissoon of Duncan Lewis & Co came onto campus a couple of times over the past year. There are however lots of other immigration lawyers.

Sue Silk and Denise Keeble can also help with information on campus. They are based in Founders Building (West) 139.  However they may not be able to provide detailed personal advice.

Graduate but still unemployed?

GradClub London was created in 2001 to enable graduates from the insitutes and colleges of The Careers Group, University of London to continue using their careers services in their first two years after graduation.
Because of the way careers services are funded by University of London colleges, free access ends on July 31st if you are an undergraduate finalist (including MEng and MSci courses) and September 30th if you are a postgraduate finalist.

As a member of GradClub, University of London for two years after graduation you have:

• FREE unlimited access to 15 – 20 minute discussions with the careers advisors at your college*; 
• FREE Careers Group Publications Pack with advice on Writing your CV, Improving your Interview Technique, and a guide to recruitment consultancies in the London area (the Publications Pack is available from The Careers Group on production of a valid GradClub card); 
• FREE unlimited access to the biggest careers resource library in the UK. Resources include: industry sector guides, CV and interview tips, practice psychometric tests. Access to the internet, national & trade press, and directories;
• 50% discount on Careers Group courses and events (apart from City Course);
• 70% discount on in-depth individual careers guidance; 
• 70% discount on practice interviews and feedback; 
• Log-in access to online resources.

Due to a high level of requests for assistance from recent graduates living in London from other University’s, both within and outside London, GradClub UK was created earlier this year.

Both GradClub London and GradClub UK give free and discounted career support by spreading the costs among its members this helps to ensure that we are able to provide the best service possible.

GradClub London Join before your finish your course for only £25

 

 

 

 

Indian graduates can stay in touch!

International students careers adviser, Andrew Falconer, recently met with the creator of an exciting new social networking site for Indian students who have studied in the UK.

Graduation often means saying goodbye to cherished friends and heading off on separate paths in different places. For Indian students who graduate this year, an excellent way of keeping in touch with fellow classmates and alumni is by becoming part of Indian Student Network in the UK, or INSTUK. INSTUK is a rapidly growing online social network established in April this year to provide Indian students in the UK

Registering is easy – just log on here  fill in your details and start networking!– past, current and aspiring – a platform to keep in touch, exchange useful information regarding student life in the UK and alert them to recruitment and other opportunities in the UK and India. Since April, INSTUK has registered almost 500 members, and is fast emerging as a vibrant and lively online community. Created by Admission Overseas, a leading UK education consultancy in India, INSTUK is the perfect way for Indian students in the UK to keep in touch and provides them, as well as those planning to come here for higher education in the near future, a great virtual support structure in many ways.

Graduation – some hints!

PIR Graduation

This blog wasn’t published in time for last summer’s graduation ceremonies so this year I think it would be useful to give some useful hints for what to expect if you haven’t attended one before. Academic gowns are very much a tradition. In some Universities and indeed some schools they still play a significant role.

Do you know about Cumberland Lodge?

Cumberland Lodge is a unique conference centre. Its Patron is The Queen, who has granted sole occupancy of a splendid seventeenth-century house for discussions aimed at the betterment of society. Cumberland Lodge provides opportunities for the exchange of views and beliefs. It does this primarily through a programme of conferences, retreats, seminars and public conversations, some of which it hosts and some of which it arranges independently or in partnership with a like-minded organisation. The Lodge is in Windsor Great Park and so is close to Royal Holloway (you can walk there from Bishops Gate at Englefield Green but it is an excursion!).

So why am I mentioning this? Because Cumberland Lodge is not only for high level academic debate. It also does a lot of work with students, particularly international and Commonwealth students. For example, at Christmas time there is a special Christmas Weekend for international students.

Queuing at Tesco’s

Last Monday I met with Madhiya Tarannum from Talent Acquisition, Tesco Hindustan Service Centre. Like many large corporations it is set outside Bangalore in the Whitefield commercial area and has a significant security presence. The centre is a large campus, possibly bigger than it’s UK headquarters, but because Tesco as a brand is not so familiar in India the site is fairly anonymous. Apart from this site, Tesco is involved in retail in India but only through working with Tata on the Star Bazaar brand.