What you'll receive

On top of our regular careers service, students from China also benefit from:

  • the opportunity to access an 8-week paid internship before you graduate
  • career support in Mandarin from the day you accept your offer
  • access to 60 paid internships no other student can apply for
  • continued support in China for 5 years after you graduate
  • a professional network in China and around the world, available for life
  • one of the largest career support services at a UK university

What is Career Advantage?

Watch our 3 short videos to hear how our Career Advantage programme supports students from China. 

Our support starts when you accept your offer, throughout your studies and after you graduate.

  • Career Advantage China

  • Careers support

  • Paid 8-week internship

Talk to us and plan your next steps

Career support at every stage

Southampton is about more than gaining a prestigious degree from a top 20 UK 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 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
  • support from alumni through the Career Buddy scheme

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

How to access the internship 

To access the 8-week paid internship, you'll need to complete at least 5 out of 6 activities during your time at Southampton.

You must complete:

  • your degree with a minimum of 2:1 at undergraduate level or Merit at Master's level
  • the full Successful Futures pathway for each academic year

Plus at least 3 of the following:

  • Career Ready+ webinar series while you are an offer holder
  • one volunteering opportunity per academic year, and collect the related digital badge
  • sign up to our e-mentoring scheme and contact at least one mentor
  • a minimum of 3 job simulations on our careers platform

Internships must be secured and completed before your date of graduation to comply with Chinese employment law.

What you can do now

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 the Student Enterprise Fund, 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 top 20 UK university; you’re taking the first steps in shaping your future through our innovative approach to career development.