How to Get References for Your First UK Job as a Student

Getting your first job in the UK as a student feels impossible without references. You haven’t worked in a professional setting before. You don’t have a manager who can vouch for your reliability. But here’s the truth: you don’t need years of experience to get a strong reference. You just need to know where to look and how to ask.

Who Can Give You a Reference?

You don’t need a former boss. Most students don’t have one. Instead, think about people who’ve seen you work under pressure, meet deadlines, or take responsibility. These are your best bets:

• University lecturers or tutors - especially if you did well in a project, essay, or group work. They’ve seen you research, write, and collaborate.
• Placement or internship supervisors - even if it was just a week-long shadowing role. Any structured work experience counts.
• Volunteer coordinators - if you helped at a food bank, community center, or student society event, they can confirm your reliability.
• Club or society leaders - if you organized a campus event, ran a fundraising campaign, or managed a team, that’s leadership experience.

One student got a job at a London marketing firm because her sociology tutor wrote about how she led a 12-person research team, met tight deadlines, and communicated clearly with participants. That’s more valuable than a part-time retail job where you just stacked shelves.

How to Ask for a Reference Without Sounding Desperate

Asking for a reference isn’t about begging. It’s about making it easy for them to say yes.

Start with a quick email or message. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give them at least two weeks. Here’s what to include:

1. Remind them who you are and what you worked on together.
2. Explain the job you’re applying for - what it involves and why you’re a good fit.
3. Ask if they feel comfortable giving you a strong reference.
4. Offer to send them your CV, the job description, and bullet points of what you’d like them to highlight.

Example email subject: Quick request - reference for UK internship application

Body:

Hi Dr. Carter,

I’m applying for a research assistant role at the University of Edinburgh and would be grateful if you’d be willing to provide a reference. You supervised my final-year project on urban sustainability, where I led the data collection team and delivered the report two days early. I think my ability to manage tasks under pressure would suit this role.

I’ve attached my CV and the job description. If you’re happy to help, I can draft a short bullet list of key points you might mention - it’ll save you time. No pressure at all - I completely understand if you’re too busy.

Thanks so much,

Sam

Most lecturers will say yes if you make it easy. They’ve done this before. They know students are starting from scratch.

What Should a Reference Include?

A good reference isn’t just "Sam is a nice student." UK employers expect specific, evidence-based feedback. Here’s what they look for:

• Work ethic - Did you meet deadlines? Show up on time? Follow through?
• Skills - Research, writing, teamwork, problem-solving, communication.
• Attitude - Proactive? Willing to learn? Handle feedback well?
• Context - What was your role? How big was the team? What was the outcome?

Bad reference: "Alex is a good person and works hard."
Good reference: "Alex led a 5-person team in our Environmental Policy module, coordinating weekly meetings, editing group submissions, and presenting findings to a panel of faculty. All team members scored above 75% - Alex’s contribution was consistently among the top three in peer evaluations."

If your referee writes something vague, politely ask if they can add one or two concrete examples. Most will be happy to revise it.

Academic vs. Professional References

Most UK employers will ask for one academic reference and one professional one. But if you’ve never had a paid job, that’s fine. Two academic references are completely acceptable - especially for entry-level roles.

Some employers will say "two professional references." If you don’t have any, reply with:

Thank you for your request. As this is my first professional role, I’ve provided two academic references from my university who can speak to my research, teamwork, and reliability. I’m happy to provide contact details for both referees.

They’ll understand. Many UK employers hire students with no work history. They know the system.

References You Can Use Even Without a Job

You might not have had a formal internship, but you’ve done things that count:

• Student ambassador - showed up for open days, answered questions, represented the university.
• Peer tutor - helped classmates with coursework, explained complex topics.
• Event volunteer - helped run a campus career fair, managed registration, handled equipment.
• Online project - created a blog, ran a Discord community, built a simple website for a club.

These all count as work. The key is to frame them that way. Don’t say "I volunteered." Say "I coordinated a team of 8 volunteers to deliver a 3-day event with 200 attendees."

How to Handle References if Your University Has a System

Many UK universities have an online portal for reference requests - like MyCareer or Gradintelligence. If yours does:

• Log in early and set up your profile.
• Find the option to "request a reference" and enter your referee’s email.
• Send them a reminder a few days later.
• Check the status - if it’s still pending 5 days before your deadline, follow up politely.

Some systems let you see what your referee wrote. Others don’t. Either way, always ask them to send a copy to you. You need to know what’s being said about you.

What If Someone Refuses?

It happens. Maybe they’re too busy. Maybe they don’t feel they know you well enough. Don’t take it personally.

Instead, ask: "Is there someone else you think might be better placed to speak about my work?" They’ll often point you to another lecturer, tutor, or project lead.

If no one comes to mind, go back to your list of possible referees. Did you do a group project with another student who also worked hard? Ask their tutor - they might be willing to write about your contribution.

And remember: one strong reference is better than three weak ones. Don’t panic if you only have two.

Final Tips to Make Your References Shine

• Don’t write your own reference - even if your referee asks you to draft it. It’s common practice, but make sure it’s honest and doesn’t exaggerate.
• Keep your referees updated - if you get an interview, tell them. They might get a call and will appreciate the context.
• Always thank them - send a short note after they submit it. A handwritten card or email goes a long way.
• Keep copies - save every reference letter. You’ll need it again for your next job, placement, or postgraduate application.

References aren’t about having the most impressive resume. They’re about showing you’re trustworthy, capable, and ready to learn. And that’s something every student can prove - even without a single paid job.