Career Advantage China

Explore bespoke career opportunities

Southampton is about more than gaining a prestigious degree from a global top 100 university. We're giving you the competitive edge to succeed in the UK and China's fast-moving job market.

One of the key features of Career Advantage for Chinese students is a conditional 8-week paid internship to kickstart your professional life in China. This will be delivered through our Careers and Employability team based in China, and partner employers.

Before you arrive

After you have accepted your offer, we will invite you to join Career Ready+ webinars delivered in Mandarin. 

These webinars focus on:

• developing professional skills
• preparing for the UK job market
• building your personal brand
• connect with Chinese alumni and industry contacts

While you study

When you're at the University, you can:

• access over 500 paid internship opportunities, and an additional 60 paid internships exclusive to students from China
• take part in skills-based volunteering, including as part of the Volunteering and Community Impact Award
• map all your activities to our award-winning Successful Futures programme
• earn University-verified digital badges and certificates to showcase your achievements
• connect with mentoring from professionals in the UK and China
• get support from our 1:1 Careers Clinics, workshops and employer events

These routes are flexible and visa-compatible alongside your studies. Your experience is officially checked, confirmed and recognised by the University, so employers have trusted evidence of your skills.

After you graduate

When you complete your course, you'll be eligible for an 8-week paid internship in China if you meet our requirements.

You'll also have access to:

• intensive job coaching from our dedicated careers consultants in China for up to 5 years after you graduate
• support in navigating the Chinese job market
• employer networking events through our China-based teams and partner organisations
• employer introductions through alumni branches in China
• support from alumni through the Career Buddy scheme

Additional support

Mentoring

You’ll have access to:

• interview practice and employer connections through our China-based teams and alumni branches
• online mentoring with professionals working in China and the UK

This gives you practical guidance and real-world connections while you study.

Enterprise and business

If you're interested in freelancing or starting a business, you can:

• access the Student Enterprise Junction co-working space
• tap into seed funding, enterprise mentors and skills development support
• develop your entrepreneurial skills alongside your degree and career activities
• harness our specialist knowledge to start up your own business when you return to China

You'll build practical skills that support both your studies and your future career.

What happens next

To access our Career Ready+ offer holder programme, you will need to accept your offer from us. We will email you all the details before the programme starts.

By choosing to come to Southampton, you’re not only joining a global top 100 university; you’re taking the first steps in shaping your future through our innovative approach to career development. 

With our new Career Advantage programme, you’ll gain skills, experience, connections and opportunities before you even arrive on campus, and long after you graduate.