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Using your portfolios & professional platforms to land a job (PDF: 331KB)

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Using your portfolios & professional platforms to land a job (PDF: 331KB)

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This session covers:

•What is a professional platform?

•Do you need one?

•What goes into a portfolio

•Other professional platforms

•Engaging your audience across platforms

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Backbullion Funding Hub: Match with the right scholarships, bursaries and grants using ... Black bullion is a really helpful financial education app, especially for students.

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Backbullion Funding Hub: Match with the right scholarships, bursaries and grants using ... Black bullion is a really helpful financial education app, especially for students.

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Are you a staff member potentially interested in providing Blackbullion for your students? Find out more

© Blackbullion Limited * Powered by

Apple® and App Store® are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Payment services (Non MIFID/lending related products) for Blackbullion are provided by The Currency Cloud Limited. Registered in England No. 06323311. Registered Office: Stewardship Building 1st Floor, 12 Steward Street London E1 6FQ. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money (FRN: 900199).

We partner with Bud so they can help us connect you to your bank through their secure APIs. Bud is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 793327) to retrieve your account information.

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Learning platform for students who want to get in control of their money

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Using Retail & Hospitality Experience to Land Your First Graduate Job (PDF: 316KB)

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Using Retail & Hospitality Experience to Land Your First Graduate Job (PDF: 316KB)

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This session covers:

How retail and hospitality experience builds valuable transferable skills

Understanding the connection between customer-facing work and graduate and creative roles

Describing your experience clearly on CVs, applications, and in interviews

Using professional, employer-focused language

Building confidence in presenting your experience as relevant and career-ready

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UCAS: How to write your personal statement: 2026 entry

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UCAS: How to write your personal statement: 2026 entry

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The new personal statement for 2026 entry | UCAS

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Applying for university or college to start your studies in 2026? Find out more about the changes to the personal statement format and tips on what to include.

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Use the Turn2us Grants Search to find out which grants you may be eligible for.

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Postgraduate Courses - How to choose between them

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How do you choose the right postgraduate course? Many are similar so if you are unsure, here are some ideas on how to choose the right one for you.

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Alternatives to university | What to do instead of going to uni | Prospects.ac.uk

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Explore other options, such as apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, college, gap years, skills boot camps, freelancing and public service roles.

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Prospects: information on Masters Degrees 

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Prospects: information on Masters Degrees 

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Discover what a Masters is, how to put together a successful application and what you should include in your personal statement.

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Download this Action Planning workbook to use in your one-to-one discussions with a Graduate Employability Specialist, and to help guide your self-led career path journey. Feel free to download it multiple times if your goals, ideas or circumstances change and evolve.

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Watch: Grads - Real Career Journeys in the Arts, Fashion, Music and beyond

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Watch: Grads - Real Career Journeys in the Arts, Fashion, Music and beyond

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Grads: Real Career Journeys in the Arts, Fashion, Music and beyond

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Grads: Real Career Journeys in the Arts, Fashion, Music, and…

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Find out how to use the Alumni search tool to track down UAL alumni LinkedIn profiles to inspire your own and potentially build your network.

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If you want to work while you study in the UK you will need to apply for a National Insurance (NI) number to be part of the UK tax system. For more information, check the HM Revenue & Customs website.

If you have a biometric residency permit (BRP), you might have a National Insurance number already - it will be printed on the back of your BRP if you do.

You can apply online for a National Insurance number - you will need to have all the relevant documents and it may take several weeks:

https://www.apply-national-insurance-number.service.gov.uk/apply/welcome

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✅ Check your visa regulations for finding and accepting work

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✅ Check your visa regulations for finding and accepting work

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If you are an international student or recent graduate, you may have a visa, and depending on the type of visa, there may be working restrictions on this. It’s important that you refer to your visa or biometric residency permit (BRP) card to check what this limit is. If you don’t understand these limitations, you can contact the International Office at your college

If you have a Student Visa and are studying a full-time degree course (e.g. BA, BSc or MA), you can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and work full-time during the holidays.

If you have a Student Visa and are studying below degree level (further education course or a Foundation Degree in Art and Design) you can work up to 10 hours per week during term-time and work full- time during the holidays.

You cannot be self-employed (including freelancing) whilst on a student visa.

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Creative roles beyond the creative sector

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Creative roles beyond the creative sector

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Creative roles beyond the creative sector (short version)

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Career changing and pivots (short version)

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Navigating early creative careers (PDF 584KB)

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Navigating early creative careers (PDF 584KB)

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Navigating early careers - get in to get on (short version)

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This Padlet contains career guides for a range of creative career sectors, as well as a wealth of job platforms.

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Job Hunting for International Graduates (PDF 789KB)

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Job Hunting for International Graduates (PDF 789KB)

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The Art of Creative Careers Job Hunting for International Graduates

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Prospects guide to writing an application

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Prospects guide to writing an application

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Employers have countless job applications to sift through, so dashing off some answers and hoping for the best won't cut it. You'll need to carefully prepare and demonstrate sought-after skills

While for some jobs you will be asked to send a CV and cover letter, many graduate roles require you to fill in an application form instead.

You'll need to complete most job application forms online via the company's website, but paper forms are still accepted in some cases.

How do I prepare for making an application?

When you find a job you'd like to apply for, don't start filling in the application form straight away. Take some time to prepare, as this will make the task much easier.

Gather together all the information you'll need, including details of your academic achievements, employment history and contact information for your referees.

You'll make a great first impression if you do your research - find out the aims of the company you're applying for, the sector they operate in and who their main competitors are. Browsing their social media channels is a good place to start.

Study the job description so you can refer back to the specific skills and qualities the employer is looking for as you complete the form.

Finally, read the instructions carefully to ensure that you complete the correct sections of the form and know when the deadline is.

Sign up to get personalised job alerts and shortlist your favourites.

What information should I include on an application form?

The application form should make the employer want to meet you to find out more and give you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Typical sections of an application form include:

Personal information - give basic details, such as name and email address.

Educational background - provide information on your academic achievements, including the institutions you've attended, courses taken and qualifications gained.

Work experience - list your employment history and describe your main duties and responsibilities in each role, emphasising those most closely related to the job you're applying for.

Competency-based questions - give specific examples of times when you've demonstrated the skills required for the role. Avoid being vague, and don't waste space writing about skills you have that aren't relevant - see example questions and answers for help.

Personal statement - write a well-structured, well-argued case that you are the right person for the job, again referring to the person specification set out in the advert.

Don't be afraid to sell yourself. Demonstrate your passion for the company or job and any past achievements you can relate to the role. When writing your answers, always consider what skills employers want and how you can show that you have them.

Most application forms will also require you to provide details of at least two people who can provide references. You may sometimes be asked to attach a CV and cover letter as well.

Never lie on your job application form. Not only is this dishonest, but there can be more serious consequences - for example, altering your classification from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is considered degree fraud and could result in a prison sentence.

How do I fine-tune my application?

Refining your writing style will improve the quality of your application. Employers are looking for confident applicants who can convince them of their capabilities - demonstrate your suitability by giving short, to the point and positive answers.

You should also:

use power verbs such as transformed, delivered, achieved and inspired

choose descriptive words like effective, consistent, determined and adaptable

focus on answering the questions and avoid waffling or being too vague

select appropriate examples of your achievements from past experience

demonstrate enthusiasm for the role

ensure your spelling and grammar is correct.

Ask somebody else, such as a careers adviser, parent or friend, to read through your application form. A second pair of eyes will help pick out errors that you may not have spotted.

Do I need to disclose personal information in a job application?

Many graduate employers are committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace and the Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. Nine characteristics are protected by the Act:

age

disability

gender reassignment

marriage and civil partnerships

pregnancy and maternity

race

religion

sex (gender)

sexual orientation.

When making an application, it's important to remember that you're not obliged to give details of any of the above characteristics and that it's unlawful for recruiters to discriminate against applicants on these grounds. You might be asked to provide these details on a confidential equal opportunities form, usually the last page of an application, or on a separate form. This is used solely for monitoring the employer's commitment to equality and diversity. It shouldn't be seen by people involved in recruitment or used in the selection process. If you'd prefer not to answer some or all of these questions, there is usually a 'prefer not to say' option you can select.

While there's no legal obligation for you to disclose personal information to your employer, it's entirely up to you if you choose to do so. If you don't feel comfortable disclosing on an application form there will be other opportunities to do so, such as during an interview, after a job offer has been made or once you're in the workplace.

For example, if you want to disclose a disability at the application stage, our example cover letter shows you how. If you'd like to disclose that you're trans during an interview, you could ask what policies are in place around the treatment of trans employees or ask if there are any groups of initiatives you could get involved in.

You can make a complaint if you feel you have been discriminated against during the recruitment process. In the first instance, it might be useful to visit Acas, an independent public body that provide free, impartial advice on workplace issues.

How do I submit my application form?

You'll complete the majority of job application forms online. On most employers' websites registering your details means you can save your work as you go, meaning you don't have to finish the form in one sitting.

Typing your answers into a Word document, before copying and pasting them into the application form, is easier than typing directly into the web browser. You'll need to double-check your formatting as you copy and paste - for instance, if you've gone over the word count, the online form may simply cut off the ends of your answers - but going about your application this way means you won't risk losing your progress if your logged-in session times out.

Print the completed application form out and read it through before you submit, as it's much easier to spot spelling and grammatical errors on a printed page than on screen.

Finally, ensure you have attached any requested documents, such as your CV, and then submit your application. You should receive email confirmation that it has been received.

What happens if my application is successful?

Employers receive hundreds of applications per job and if they've chosen to progress yours on to the next step you should feel proud of yourself.

Depending on the role and employer you may be asked to complete a series of online exercises such as psychometric tests. Before inviting you to an in-person interview some recruiters may set up a telephone or video interview. Others may invite you to attend an assessment centre.

To find more advice on how to handle this stage of you application, see interview tips.

How do I respond to job rejection?

Whether the rejection comes at the application form stage or after an interview, everyone experiences it at some point. While it's disheartening and can have an impact on your confidence, especially if it happens a few times, the important thing to remember is that many others are in the same position.

You should email the company within a week of the rejection, politely thanking them for their time and asking that they retain your details for any future opportunities. Ask for feedback - the majority of employers will be happy to provide this. Enquire about what you did well and where your application fell down, as this can help you approach the next one more confidently.

If you're struggling to get to the interview stage, you need to develop an action plan of achievable mini-goals, such as:

Find out more

Written by Rachel Swain, Editorial manager

Prospects · June 2023

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Get top tips on what to include in your application, how to fine tune it and what to do afterwards.

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Introductory video for UAL Career centre site

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Introductory video for UAL Career centre site

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A short explainer to view before using the site and introduce you to its key features. Link to the site in the post below.

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Careers support - Graduate Package information

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Careers support - Graduate Package information

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Finishing your course? Opt into the privacy policy to extend your UAL account and access library resources and career resources, advice, and learning tools for an extra 13 months.

You have 150 days after your course finishes to sign up.

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Your course may be ending, but we’re still here to support you as you move on.

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UAL Careers and Employability newsletter

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UAL Careers and Employability newsletter

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Sign up to the Careers and Employability newsletter for early notice about the opportunities we offer, including all our events, funding, opportunities and paid work.

The newsletter is sent out monthly and you will only receive this and very occasional other mail-outs about our events such as Creative Enterprise Week or Graduate Futures Week. We never share your details with a third party.

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Sign up to the Careers and Employability newsletter for early notice about the opportunities we offer, including all our events, funding, opportunities and paid work.

The newsletter is sent out monthly and you will only receive this and very occasional other mail-outs about our events such as Creative Enterprise Week or Graduate Futures Week. We never share your details with a third party.

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Careers and further study platform.

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Prospects for graduate jobs, postgraduate study, advice about work experience, internship opportunities and graduate careers

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A link to our key online resources page.

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Get the skills you need for the career you want with our new online learning module, UAL Career Toolkit.

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Job interviews can be scary for some of us. The idea that you're going to have to face people judging you for your achievements and personality is daunting and way out of your comfort zone. Of course, it's natural to be a bit anxious about the prospect of a big change in your life, like a new job, but it can be detrimental when it affects your performance in an interview. We've pulled together a few tips and resources about how to beat (or at least lessen) job interview anxiety.

1. Practice your interview with our online simulator
Get used to interviews and interview questions by taking some time to practice with our AI powered simulator - you can either use the set interview questions or add in your own. It'll give you instant feedback on how to improve your use of filler words - you can even record yourself and watch your performance back.
ual.careercentre.me/welcome/ual

2. Plan your morning before the interview
Think about how your anxiety manifests - does waiting a long time affect it? If so, try to get an interview slot in the morning so you it doesn't build up during the day. Does meditation and breathing help? Try and plan in a 15-minute meditation before the interview to calm down. Have you had something to eat? Even something small like a piece of fruit can help change your mood a little. Is there a song which always lifts your spirits? Could you make a playlist and listen to it before the interview? It's also important to plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time for travelling as arriving in good time will help you to stay calm.

3. Think about questions they might ask ahead of time and prep your answers
It's less scary to respond to a question you already know the answer to - so have a look at the job description and see what skills they highlight, what they're looking for in a candidate, and formulate some questions based on what they've written. For example, if they mention the job requires management experience, you can anticipate a question on how you manage a team.

4. Acknowledge in the interview that you're nervous

Saying it out loud can take some of the pressure off from trying to come across completely composed and confidentin the actual interview. The people interviewing you are probably seeing a fair few people for each role you apply for, and they're more likely to remember what you say about your experience than you mentioning you're a little nervous.

In addition to these tips, we recommend looking at the following resources:
Scope's interview anxiety resources Preparing for Job Interviews Job interview learning guide

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Job interviews can be scary for some of us. The idea that you're going to have to face people judging you for your achievements and personality is daunting and way out of your comfort zone.

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International Grads Navigating UK Visa options

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Visa options for working in the UK after Graduation

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Graduate Employability Promotional Video (1)

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This Padlet should answer most of your queries about applications for research degrees.

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Career Essentials: Skills for Now and the Future (PDF 1MB)

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Career Essentials: Skills for Now and the Future (PDF 1MB)

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Difference between: Skills, Qualities, Attributes, Abilities

Cycle of: Education, Training, Experience

Job market facts and figures, and trends

Embedding Skills and Abilities on your CV

Creative skills vs Professional skills

Identify, evaluate, develop skills

Power Verbs for Graduate Level jobs

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LDT Career Essentials - Feb 25 - Skills for Now and the Future

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Career Essentials: Navigating UK Interviews as an International Grad (PDF 787KB)

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Career Essentials: Navigating UK Interviews as an International Grad (PDF 787KB)

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1. Understand UK interview etiquette.

2. Learn about different types of UK interviews and what to expect.

3. Master preparing for competency-based and strength-based questions.

4. Explore best practices for virtual interviews and UK employer expectations.

5. Gain confidence in presenting yourself as an international candidate

6. Follow up after interviews and Learn how to discuss job offers.

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Career Essentials - March 11 - Navigating UK Interviews as an International Graduate

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Europe regional job site guide (PDF 335KB)

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Europe regional job site guide (PDF 335KB)

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Middle east regional job site guide (PDF 386KB)

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Middle east regional job site guide (PDF 386KB)

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Asia regional job site guide (PDF 282KB)

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Asia regional job site guide (PDF 282KB)

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North America regional job site guide (PDF 237KB)

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North America regional job site guide (PDF 237KB)

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Career Essentials : CVs presentation (PDF 12.6MB)

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Career Essentials : CVs presentation (PDF 12.6MB)

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Why an effective CV matters

2. UK CV structure

3. Getting the basics right

4. Crafting your personal statement

5. Presenting your work experience effectively

6. Highlighting your educational background

7. Showcasing your key skills

8. Formatting and style

9. Tailoring your cv

10. Common mistakes

11. ATS Friendly CV

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Wellbeing resource for graduates of University of the Arts London

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Wellbeing resource for graduates of University of the Arts London

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Careers resource for graduates with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

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Careers resource for graduates with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

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Theatre careers sector guide (PDF 135KB)

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Theatre careers sector guide (PDF 135KB)

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A fun exercise which might illuminate you about your style, motivations and strengths

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Everyone has a creative “type”—knowing yours helps you maximize your potential. Take our quiz to discover your type!

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Essential advice and information for artists in England starting out in their professional career

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E-book for early career visual artists, whether graduating from art school or just switching career. Everything you need to consider in your first couple of years after starting up as an artist.

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Starting Out in Fine Art webinar slides (PDF 1,264 KB) and recording

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Starting Out in Fine Art webinar slides (PDF 1,264 KB) and recording

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Watch the webinar recording for Starting Out in Fine Art on panopto

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Career Essentials: Professional Platforms (PDF 519KB)

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Career Essentials: Professional Platforms (PDF 519KB)

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Workshop presentation covering professional platforms, their uses and how to use them.

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Career Essentials: Interviews (PDF 775KB)

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Career Essentials: Interviews (PDF 775KB)

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Workshop presentation covering :

1. What is an Interview

2. Types of Interviews and What to Expect 9. Common mistakes to avoid

3. Virtual Interview Best Practices 10. Q&A

4. Pre-Interview Preparation

5. Personal Preparation & Confident building

6. Key Interview Tips for Creative Graduates

7. Interview Questions

8. Interviewee Questions

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Jamilya Kulambayeva brings bold ideas to life in brand design. The midweight designer at Wolff Olins may have a background in performance art and interactive experiences, but took a leap of faith via a branding internship as a chance to explore a new side of the creative industry. A few years later, she sees her unexpected shift as a perfect fit. Here, she shares her insights on a project for Ubisoft that combined her love for gaming with design, and tells us how she deals with imposter syndrome.

Jamilya Kulambayeva

Job Title

Midweight Designer at Wolff Olins

Based

London

Place of Study

MA Digital Direction, Royal College of Art, (2020-2022)
BA Design, Goldsmiths University of London, (2017-2020)

Social Media
LinkedIn

How would you describe what you do?
I'm a midweight designer at global brand consultancy Wolff Olins, where, as part of the Design Community, I experiment with creative ideas and prototype and develop core concepts that shape the creative direction for brands.

Our goal is to help clients supercharge their brand transformation and enhance business performance. Our design work takes many forms, including design systems, logos, colour palettes, typography, imagery, motion, sound and much more.

Would you say you need any specific training for what you do?
A solid grasp of Adobe Creative Suite is essential for visual branding, alongside a deep understanding of core design principles. While I'm constantly honing my skills in these digital tools, it's important to remember that technical mastery only takes you so far.

To push your creativity beyond well-crafted layouts, you need to draw inspiration from the world around you. It's that spark from life's experiences that fuels your imagination and transforms good design into something truly exciting.

What's been your favourite project to work on from the past year, and why?
One of my favourite projects I worked on at Wolff Olins last year was undoubtedly the rebrand for Ubisoft's strategy and city-building game, Anno. It was an amazing chance to craft something truly unique within the gaming industry, especially because we got to incorporate traditional carving and dyeing techniques - something we rarely get to explore in the digital realm.

From the initial concept to final brand guidelines, every stage of the Ubisoft Anno project was a joy. And as a gamer myself, it felt incredibly rewarding to contribute to the industry in such a hands-on way.

"If you had told me three years ago that I'd be working in brand design, I probably wouldn't have believed you."

What does a normal day-to-day usually look like for you?
When working on a single project, I typically start the day with a creative catch-up meeting with the design team, where we set the agenda and review the previous day's design progress. Afterwards, I dive into developing the graphic design, motion or 3D renders. Throughout the day, I have meetings with our studio's strategy team and join jam sessions [collaborative brainstorming] with other designers to get direct feedback on how we can push the design work further.

What was your journey like when you were first starting out?
If you had told me three years ago that I'd be working in brand design, I probably wouldn't have believed you. My background wasn't in branding; most of my earlier projects were multidisciplinary, combining performance art, motion production, and interactive experiences.

After university, I spent a few months diving into personal projects and searching for internships before landing an opportunity at Wolff Olins. I saw it as a chance to explore a new side of the creative industry, and it didn't take long for me to realise exactly how much I enjoyed branding. It became clear that I could bring my diverse skill set into this space and make it my own.

"Thoughtfully tailoring each application to the specific studio I was applying for was key to landing my first job."

How did you go about landing your first few jobs?
I kept a close eye on a few creative studios, waiting for openings or reaching out directly to inquire about opportunities. Alongside that, there are plenty of great online resources to help find internships or job listings. For me, persistence and personalisation was key, and making sure each application was thoughtfully tailored to the specific studio I was applying to.

What has been your biggest challenge along the way?
One of the biggest challenges after landing my first entry-level role was learning on the go and adapting quickly, all while holding onto that unique spark that got me there in the first place. The ongoing struggle is often dealing with imposter syndrome. When you're surrounded by such incredibly talented people, it can sometimes be hard not to feel like you don't quite belong.

How important are social media and self-promotion to your work?
I believe social media plays a crucial role in self-promotion today. It not only allows you to showcase your work but also to build a professional network. While I'm not as active on social media as I'd like to be, I make an effort to stay on top of trends and regularly update my portfolio.

What are three things you've found useful to your work or career, and why?
Brands in Motion is an excellent Instagram account that highlights motion graphics and animation in brand design, and illustrates how a logo needs to convey its own personality to stand out in a crowded market. It demonstrates how a brand's identity can connect with its audience while setting itself apart from competitors.

The Follow-Up design podcast features in-depth conversations with designers, exploring their recently published projects, delving into the creative process, challenges faced, and the goals behind their work.

Then, comforting video games that help you relax and decompress. Animal Crossing & Hades are my personal favourites.

"You don't need high-end equipment when starting out. What matters is having the tools to express your creativity."

What have been your greatest learnings with making money and supporting yourself as a creative?
I was fortunate to have some savings from working part-time during my university days. My advice would be to focus on being mindful of the materials and resources you actually need to get your work done. You don't need the best laptop or high-end equipment when you're just starting out - what matters is having tools that allow you to express your creativity and do your best work at that stage in your career.

What's the best career-related advice you've ever received?
When I started as a junior designer at Wolff Olins, still finding my way in the branding industry, I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. The best advice I received - and something I constantly reminded myself of - was that I didn't get the job by accident.

It's easy to forget this when you're surrounded by incredibly talented creatives every day, but there was something in your work that got you to that point and made you stand out. You should be proud of that.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into a similar role?
Don't hesitate to explore different areas of the industry. When you're starting out, finding the perfect job can be incredibly difficult, and landing it is another challenge altogether. By applying to various spheres, you'll gain experience from different angles of the industry, which will ultimately help shape and broaden your creative approach.

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Jamilya Kulambayeva on a pivot from performance art to branding design

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Wolff Olins designer Jamilya Kulambayeva talks rebranding for Ubisoft, navigating imposter syndrome and her pivot from performance art to brand design

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This session covers:

•What is a portfolio

•If you need one

•What goes in your portfolio - structure, content, design and layout

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Career Essentials: Cover Letters (PDF 893KB)

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Career Essentials: Cover Letters (PDF 893KB)

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1. What is a cover letter ​

2. Key elements for an effective cover letter ​

3. How to structure your cover letter ​

4. Tailoring your cover letter for creative industries​

5. Common mistakes to avoid ​

6. Tips for Impactful Cover letter

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Career Essentials - Cover Letters - Oct 24

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Networking session presentation (PDF 836KB)

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Networking session presentation (PDF 836KB)

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Networking insights and tips to support you in your career development.

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UAL Careers and Employability Whats On pages

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UAL Careers and Employability Whats On pages

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Keep up to date with the Careers and Employability workshops and events coming up.

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Great insights from Prospects about career changing, whatever you career stage.

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Making a career change is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, but whatever your reasons for wanting to do something different, a carefully planned move can turn out to be incredibly rewarding

According to research from international learning design and development specialists Quadmark, nearly three-quarters (70%) of UK employees considered making a career change in 2022.

Despite this high proportion of the working population assessing their options, Santander found that the average worker felt that it was too late to change careers by the age of 45, due to a lack of digital skills.

While changing career is something which does involve a lot of thought, planning and effort, it's worth thinking about - as your job satisfaction and enjoyment levels are likely to increase in a role that you feel more passionately about.

If you're wondering about the practicalities of how to change careers, including how to keep pace with the latest technology, there are some key things to bear in mind as you consider your next step.

Reasons for a career change

Whether you've reached your limits and are unable to progress in your current role or would like to challenge yourself by putting your skills to use in a different setting, there are various reasons why you may be looking to make a career change.

For instance, you may be feeling the need for a change of scenery or schedule due to the transition into self-employment, ensuring that it fits around your other commitments.

There are also certain professions which have proved popular with career changers. For instance, you can enter areas of teaching and law from a range of backgrounds. The nature of these careers means they're particularly suited to those with previous experience of working in other sectors.

If you'd like to try something new but aren't sure where to start, consider taking the Job Match questionnaire. In just a few minutes you'll discover the roles where your skills could prove to be invaluable.

The benefits of changing career

'Finding fulfilling work can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, your relationships, your self-esteem, and even, over time, your bank balance,' says Natasha Stanley, head coach, writer and experience designer at Careershifters. 'The average person spends a third of their life at work. If you're miserable in your job, it matters.'

You'll have the freedom to pursue what's important to you. 'Rather than being limited to what you think you 'can' do based on your current skillset, look at what you're naturally drawn to, in and out of work,' Natasha says. 'This could be as broad as being creative or active.' Approaching work this way will increase your motivation and overall job satisfaction.

Things to consider

However, in going ahead with this decision, it's likely that you'll have to make sacrifices. For instance, you may incur extra costs from relocating or changing your commute - you may even need to take a pay cut to move companies or sectors.

A new career is also likely to bring with it a new routine, which may affect your work/life balance, particularly if you're entering a career that requires you to study for a qualification beforehand or alongside work - you'll need to factor in time to study.

What's more, you'll be entering an unfamiliar working environment, and will have to build new relationships and a good professional reputation from scratch. It's therefore crucial to have a good support network around you.

'Career change takes time, and big journeys are much easier with a team of supporters,' explains Natasha. 'Surrounding yourself with other career changers, trusted family and friends, experts and mentors can inspire you, help you find solutions to obstacles, and stay accountable,' she says.

If you're happy with your current work conditions but you'd like a new challenge, you don't necessarily have to change jobs - enquire with your HR or personnel department about any available continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.

Sign up to get personalised job alerts and shortlist your favourites

Finding a new career

If you've got your heart set on changing careers, the first thing you'll need to do is research. Get started on coming up with suitable career change ideas by browsing job profiles, to find out more about what's involved with different roles and their entry requirements.

Through your research, you may find that you can gain the qualifications you need without studying for another degree.

When looking at short courses, you'll find that microcredentials offer some excellent options, while sites such as Udemy and Skillshare list thousands of online courses in a range of specialisms, from digital marketing and nutrition to audio production and public speaking.

Course prices start from as little as £10 - some are even free - and you'll be able to fit studying around other commitments.

Once you know the path you'd like to pursue, you can start seeking opportunities. Update your professional social media profiles to clearly state your intention to change industries, and give details of the skills and experience you have that will be well-suited.

Career retraining

For some careers, you may need to consider further study or professional training. You may need to complete a conversion course to change to some careers - you'll need sector-specific qualifications to work in industries such as engineering, healthcare, IT and teaching.

If you've set your sights on the legal profession, you can take a conversion course such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and a preparation course before taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). If you'd like to become a barrister you'd need to do a conversion course then take a Bar course before completing pupillage.

Aspiring psychologists will need to take a psychology conversion course, in the form of either an MSc or postgraduate diploma (PGDip).

It's never too late to retrain in another field - in fact, having life experience behind you when heading back to university can work to your advantage. Look out for open days and events aimed at job changers, to learn more about how to enter your chosen field at postgraduate study level.

To see what's on offer as you look to forge a new career, search postgraduate conversion courses.

Writing a career change CV

Don't forget to update your CV and cover letter to reflect this career change.

Employers won't view this as a negative move as long as you provide solid reasons for your shift in focus.

View our cover letter template for career changers for inspiration.

How to hand in your notice

Once you've received a new job offer, you'll need to hand in your notice. This is a formal letter of resignation, stating your intention to leave your current position, and you'll typically hand it in to your line manager.

Your notice should be succinct, positive and respectful, and include your date of departure. This will be in relation to the length of your notice period, which will typically be at least two weeks - however, this could be shorter if you're still on probation, or longer if you're in a senior position. Your contract should include details of how much notice you're required to give before changing jobs.

Be prepared to discuss your reasons for leaving with your manager. This could lead to various outcomes - for instance, you may be offered an incentive to stay, or be required to negotiate a longer notice period than you were expecting. If you're joining a rival company, you may be placed on gardening leave - a situation that results in an employee being suspended on full pay while serving their notice period - and asked to leave the premises immediately.

By law, your employer is required to issue you a P45 once you've handed in your notice. A P45 is a document detailing how much tax you've paid so far in the present tax year (which runs from 6 April to 5 April), made up of four parts. You'll keep one part for your own records - the others are split between His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and your new employer. For more information, see GOV.UK - PAYE forms.

After your notice has been accepted, focus on making a good lasting impression. Keep on good terms with your colleagues and managers, and compile comprehensive handov'Read the Prospects blog to stay up-to-date on news, insights and opinionser notes for your replacement - you're more likely to be given a positive reference for your next employer this way.

Find out more

Written by Daniel Higginbotham, Editor

Prospects · June 2023

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Learn how to hand in your notice, the benefits of changing career and the things to consider before taking the plunge.

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Get learners thinking about the practicalities of working in the screen industries by downloading our Step into Screen Careers activity shee

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Starting out in Fashion and Textiles - Presentation (PDF 2.5 MB)

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Starting out in Fashion and Textiles - Presentation (PDF 2.5 MB)

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Grads: Starting out in Fashion and Textiles including Mentimeter responses.

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Insights into ways to start your career in film, theatre and performance.

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Events careers sector guide (PDF 133 KB)

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Events careers sector guide (PDF 133 KB)

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Props, costume and Set design careers sector guide (PDF 183 KB)

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Props, costume and Set design careers sector guide (PDF 183 KB)

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COSTUME, SETS AND PROPS CAREER SECTOR GUIDE

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Performance careers sector guide (PDF 174 KB)

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Performance careers sector guide (PDF 174 KB)

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Training, industry support and information.

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UK Theatre Awards

Catch up on highlights from the ceremony and see the list of winners in full

Training Courses

Develop your career potential

We need...

CRM, ticketing and Marketing professionals working for member venues to help us build our new Evidence Centre

Training &
Events

Develop your career potential with training courses and come together with industry professionals at conferences and events, exploring the hottest topics in the sector.

Resources &
Toolkits

Support your work with resources and guidance on a variety of topics, including Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Sustainability.

Industry
Jobs

Find jobs across the theatre industry from lighting to directing, marketing and customer services. Plus, vacancies with us!

Join our network of theatre professionals

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Develop your career potential with training courses and come together with industry professionals at conferences and events, exploring the hottest topics in the sector. Support your work with resources and guidance on a variety of topics, including Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Sustainability.

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Training, industry support and information.

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Bectu is the UK’s media and entertainment trade union.

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Training and industry insights.

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Theatre Training & Events | Networking, Awards & more

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Find out about the annual Olivier Awards plus our year-round programme of training and events to help develop your career potential.

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Film and TV drama career map (PDF 15.0 MB)

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Film and TV drama career map (PDF 15.0 MB)

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Radio and podcasting careers sector guide(PDF 460 KB)

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Radio and podcasting careers sector guide(PDF 460 KB)

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RADIO AND PODCASTING CAREER SECTOR GUIDE

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Animation careers sector guide (PDF 147 KB)

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Animation careers sector guide (PDF 147 KB)

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Randomly generate smart design briefs to practice your design skills, get content for your portfolio and gain experience working off a real design brief.

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Intellectual Property (IP) is a term that is used to describe creations of the mind, such as:

things you make, write or produce

inventions and ideas

the design or appearance of products

symbols, names and brands.

IP exists to help you manage and protect the way your work is represented and enjoyed. It is a legal right to protect your interests as a creative and equally for society to benefit from cultural production.

When working for yourself, with and/or for others, it's essential you recognise the potential value of your IP.

When collaborating with others in all areas of professional practice, consider the ownership and the use of IP as a central part of your strategic decision-making.

It can be overwhelming to navigate complex agreements, understand when you register your brand and identify how to protect your business ideas. Read our tips and advice on how best to manage and benefit from the value of your IP.

Designed with creatives for UAL creatives, the 'From idea to industry: valuing your creative rights' module is a practical introduction to IP.

Tips for collaboration

Ask yourself the following questions:

What is the project/purpose/goal?

Who owns the IP?

What is the financial agreement, if there is one?

How long does the agreement last?

Can anyone else use the created content or is it an exclusive agreement?

How will all parties benefit?

What is the long-term benefit of the agreement? Could there be further opportunities?

Tips for contracts

If you don't understand what you are about to sign, don't sign it!

Always agree something in writing. This does not always involve a formal contract but in any agreement it should be clear on the agreed terms between all parties.

If you are unclear how to proceed, seek legal advice.

Always think about what to share, how much to share and when to share it.

Always use a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to keep your invention a secret when talking to others. You can download an NDA template for free from the gov.uk website.

Useful links:

Get advice on pricing, invoicing and selling your work as a designer, maker or artist.

Read our guidance on how to launch and maintain a successful freelance career.

Explore our tips for finding new clients and work, and establishing yourself as a freelancer.

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Careers and Employability offers legal advice for UAL students and graduates setting up businesses.

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Future Now - UK Digital Skills Gap report July 2023 (PDF 46 MB)

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Future Now - UK Digital Skills Gap report July 2023 (PDF 46 MB)

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What's the difference between a design director and a creative director? Discover the skills and responsibilities for a variety of roles across the creative industries.

Creative Lives in Progress is an inclusive creative careers resource, on a mission to transform the way emerging talent access, understand and connect with the industry.

Sign up to the Creative Lives in Progress weekly newsletter including the latest articles and news about events

Creative Lives in Progress is made possible with the support of our partners. You can find a full list of our supporters here

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Creative Lives in Progress is an inclusive creative careers resource, on a mission to transform the way emerging talent access, understand and connect with the industry.

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Want to meet old classmates and make new friends? Join one of our alumni associations or groups and you can: attend events, take part in discussions, group projects, activities and more.

These are fantastic opportunities to build your professional network and support causes important to you. Find out more and get involved.

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Get together, create and collaborate with UAL’s worldwide alumni network. Build your professional network and support causes important to you.

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A reflective tool to utilise when identifying potential areas for career development.

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Protecting your work and other legal questions creatives have

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Protecting your work and other legal questions creatives have

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Creatives' legal FAQ: lawyers answer the big questions creatives always ask them

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Two law firms, Studio Legal LLP and Harper James, give their top tips navigating everything from copying and AI to contracts and sharing work online.

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VISA options after completing your course

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VISA options after completing your course

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Visa options after completing your course

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Find out about visas for living and working in the UK after completing your course, including Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur, Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas.

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Time management - how to balance getting a job and studying and networking

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Organise your days, weeks and months with dedicated slots for work, study and off time. Use a planner, calendar or a time management app to block out specific times. It's worth including commitments such as meetups and networking events so when work is busy or study is challenging, you know when you will have a break later.

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Getting a job in the creative industries templates, trackers, CV examples, career planning resources

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Getting a job in the creative industries templates, trackers, CV examples, career planning resources

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Getting a Job – LCF Graduate Futures Leavers Pack

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The guide aims to help you target your research as industry

sectors can vary. Our useful insights and links will help you

explore the sectors that appeal to you and identify roles that fit

your skills and interests.

You do not have to read this guide cover to cover but refer to

it as and when you need to.

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Examples of UAL Fine Art Alumni career pathways

Orla - MA at CSM / Learning and Engagement / Freelance Graphic Designer

Laura - Technician

Minna George - Artist and Curator / Director

Larissa Loy - Art Teacher

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powerpoint slide showing how a career in fine art can be split in 2, one side is about creative craft and making roles and the other side is mentions roles in arts and culture spaces which may not be creative but helpful for supporting the arts or your practice 

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Find out how to use the Alumni search tool to track down UAL alumni LinkedIn profiles to inspire your own and potentially build your network.

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Networking platforms like LinkedIn and The Dots can be great tools for knowledge, self promotion and networking so check out this recording for the 101 of these two sites.

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Find your ideal entry-level role in film, TV, animation, visual effects or games. Select the thing you enjoy the most. Then select something else you really enjoy. Keep selecting until two or three roles that combine your passions are displayed. These are your ideal roles. Click on the pictures to learn more about them.

If you're a team player, you enjoy communicating with people and always want to learn and improve, you are well suited to working in film, TV, animation or games. All the roles need people with these qualities.

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Job Descriptions

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Blog Articles Archive - Get into Theatre

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Guide for new entrants

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UAL Gradcast: Real Stories from UAL grad careers

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UAL Gradcast: Real Stories from UAL grad careers

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A real story about balancing your creative practice with a stable income

A real story about creating your own opportunities as a curator and finding out what you are good at!

Real story about makeshift studios, securing exhibitions, and slasher careers

Real story from a sound artist about industry, networking, and what they wish they'd known earlier

Real story about networking as an introvert

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What the TV industry is really like for a newbie in this current climate

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How to... introduce yourself, services and skills (PDF 1,200 KB) 

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How to... introduce yourself, services and skills (PDF 1,200 KB) 

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How to Pitch Yourself in Speculative Applications (PDF 1,165 KB)

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How to Pitch Yourself in Speculative Applications (PDF 1,165 KB)

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Speculative (in other words, applying to a company for an unadvertised job or opportunity) can achieve greater success with a considered pitch.... find out how to here

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UAL Founders and Freelancers on The Dots

Work for yourself or want to in the future? Make sure you sign up to be part of the new UAL Founders and Freelancers network on The Dots. It's the place to:

Connect and collaborate

Get advice, and mentor others

Find jobs and clients

Access private networking events.

Check out the UAL Alumni Associations and Groups

UAL events

UAL's What's On page - find events that are open to the public / alumni

Careers and Employability What's On page - we run events, workshops, and networking events

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Slides from Create Your Future sessions can be found on the Career Wellbeing Padlet.

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To access CV and interview feedback online, use your UAL login credentials to make an account.

Explore the career management tools to develop your awareness of opportunities.

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© Access UK Ltd. Privacy |
Cookies |
Terms

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Uncover the hidden jobs market (PDF 542 KB)

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Uncover the hidden jobs market (PDF 542 KB)

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Watch the hidden jobs market webinar on Panopto

Read along with this pdf slides

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Log on to explore the range of e-learning and resources to support your career journey after graduation.

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Help and support: If you are experiencing login issues, please ensure you have accepted the short term special access policy on your UAL portal. UAL Portal IT Helpdesk studentsystemshelp@arts.ac.uk

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How can UAL Graduate Employability Support help me?

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How can UAL Graduate Employability Support help me?

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You can get support for up to 5 years after graduation to help you get the skills you need for the career you want.

UAL Careers and Employability's Graduate Employability Support team can help you by discussing your career ideas and options and providing advice on applications and interviews. This confidential and impartial service will help you to identify a career path and understand the steps you need to take to get there, so you can tackle your job search with confidence.

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Contact us

Got a question about your career? Email us at gradsupport@arts.ac.uk to receive personalised support.

One-to-one careers support

Undecided about your future career path? Need help to secure the right role? You can access tailored one-to-one careers support for up to 5 years after you graduate.

Our Graduate Employability Support team can help you by discussing your career ideas and options and providing advice on applications and interviews. This confidential and impartial service will help you to identify a career path and understand the steps you need to take to get there, so you can tackle your job search with confidence.

Email gradsupport@arts.ac.uk or book a one-to-one appointment to get started.

How we can help you

UAL graduate? Whether you're just starting out, looking to progress your career or launch your own business, we can help.

As a UAL graduate you can get tailored help with:

improving your applications including CVs, letters and portfolios Identifying a career path

preparing for interviews

building networks with other graduates and employers

providing industry and graduate insights, through written resources, podcasts and events.

You can also attend many of our events, and engage with some of our awards, funding and support.

Check out Gradcast our podcast series which explores the creative career journeys of UAL graduates.

Graduate Outcomes Survey

We're committed to helping you make a living doing what you love, so it's important for us to find out how you are getting on. Graduate Outcomes is a UK-wide survey that captures feedback from recent graduates. The information you share is vital in shaping careers support for the next generation of UAL graduates. Find out more about the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Meet our Graduate Support team

Book a 20 minute appointment to discuss your next steps in your professional practice

Finished your degree and want a career in screen, theatre and performance? Join us for talks and networking with industry and UAL Alumni

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Got a question about your career? Email us at gradsupport@arts.ac.uk to receive personalised support. Undecided about your future career path? Need help to secure the right role? You can access tailored one-to-one careers support for up to 5 years after you graduate.

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This Padlet covers a range of enterprise related topics.

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LISTEN - UAL Grad sharing a real story about protecting your IP 

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LISTEN - UAL Grad sharing a real story about protecting your IP 

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On the latest episode of Gradcast: Real stories from UAL we pass the mic to host, Eleanor Rockett as she chats with Mira Maktabi about the importance of protecting your intellectual property (IP) as a new graduate.

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A real story about protecting your intellectual property (IP) as a new graduate

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Listen to this episode from Gradcast: Real stories from UAL on Spotify. On the latest episode of Gradcast: Real stories from UAL we pass the mic to host, Eleanor Rockett as she chats with Mira Maktabi about the importance of protecting your intellectual property (IP) as a new graduate.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Managing your IP within your creative practice

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Managing your IP within your creative practice

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Managing IP within your creative practice