First Job UK: How to Land Your First Job After University

When you’re finishing university in the UK, your first job, the initial professional role you take after graduating, often your entry point into your chosen field. Also known as entry level job, it’s not just about the salary—it’s about building your track record, learning workplace norms, and unlocking future opportunities. For international students, this step is even more critical because your Graduate Visa, a post-study work permit allowing international graduates to live and work in the UK for up to two years gives you a limited window to prove your value to employers. Missing this window means starting over from scratch, often back home.

Your graduate jobs, full-time roles specifically targeted at recent university graduates, often with structured training programs aren’t like regular jobs. Employers don’t just want grades—they want proof you can handle real tasks. That means internships, student societies, part-time work during uni, even volunteering count. A 2:1 won’t get you far if you can’t explain how you led a team project or solved a problem under pressure. Many students overlook this and end up applying to 50 jobs with the same generic CV. The ones who land offers? They tailor every application. They mention the company’s recent project. They link their student experience to the job description. They don’t just say they’re "hardworking"—they show it.

And don’t forget the hidden rules. Some roles require aptitude tests, standardized assessments used by UK employers to measure logical reasoning, numerical skills, or personality fit. Others involve assessment centres, day-long evaluation events with group exercises, presentations, and interviews. These aren’t tricks—they’re filters. If you’ve never practiced a situational judgment test or timed numerical reasoning drill, you’re walking in blind. The good news? There are free resources, student workshops, and past papers available. You just need to start early.

There’s also the practical side: your first paycheck. You’ll see deductions for tax, National Insurance, and your student loan repayment—especially if you’re on Plan 2. Knowing how to read your payslip means you won’t be shocked when your take-home pay is less than expected. And if you’re moving cities for work, rent, bills, and transport add up fast. That’s why so many grads end up living with housemates, using student railcards (yes, they still work after uni), and cooking at home instead of eating out.

Below, you’ll find real guides from students who’ve been there. From how to pass psychometric tests without cramming, to finding your first apartment after graduation, to managing your student loan repayments on a graduate salary—you’ll see exactly what works. No theory. No fluff. Just the steps that actually get results in the UK job market.