News for International Students

January 2009

Job search and career planning seminars

A limited number of places are available for students to take part in a series of five job search and career planning workshops. The seminar series would be especially useful for international students who are unfamiliar with graduate recruitment practices in the UK . The seminars take place on the following dates:

	Series 1	Series 2
	1.00-2.30pm	3.00-4.30pm
How to job hunt effectively in Scotland/U.K	Tuesday 03 February	Tuesday 03 February
U.K style CVs and covering letters	Tuesday 10 February	Tuesday 10 February
Effective application forms	Tuesday 17 February	Tuesday 17 February
Suceeding in job interviews	Tuesday 24 February	Tuesday 24 February
Feedback and review with graduate employers	Tuesday 03 March	Tuesday 03 March

Please note that students must be able to attend all five seminars.

Places can be booked on the Careers Service website at:

http://www.glu.prospects.ac.uk/casa/servlet/casa.jobseeker.JSVacServlet?mode=menu

In-sessional English and Study Skills (ESS) Classes
Semester 2: 8 x 1½ hour sessions from Monday 26 January

Monday OR Wednesday
Speaking and Listening: practice in fluency and accuracy in everyday and academic English, and listening to English in a variety of situations and accents.

Monday OR Wednesday
Writing Style: practice in common grammar problems and vocabulary development for clear & accurate writing in an appropriate academic style.

Tuesday OR Thursday
Writing Assignments and Exams: the structure and key features of written assignments, plus using sources & presenting the bibliography; guidance in answering different types of questions, and how to plan and organise answers, plus practice in writing under time pressure.

Thursday 
Pronunciation: strategies & practice for communicating clearly, focusing on common problem sounds, pronouncing new or unfamiliar vocabulary, and stress & intonation in conversation & presentations.

WHERE & WHEN
• 17.00–18.30; Adam Smith Building, check exact location with the Language Centre or the website at http://www.glasgow.ac.uk/services/languagecentre/efl/in-sessionalcourses.
• Classes run from Monday 26 January to Thursday 19 March.

REGISTRATION
From Monday 12 January at the EFL Unit office, in the Hetherington Building (D10 on the Campus Map). Please register as soon as possible as classes may become full.

FEES
• For students paying overseas fees of over £6000: you can choose 2 classes per Block. The classes are free but there is a £5.00 administration charge.
• Other students / visiting staff / external students: £80 for one 8-week class (incl. administration).

OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT:
• Departments: Some departments arrange specific language support with us. If not, discuss this with your department to see if they will ask us to arrange it. 
• Language Centre Library (ground floor, Hetherington Building): books, DVDs, TVs and other resources. Membership is automatic for matriculated students; others may join for a small fee.
• On-line guidance at: http://www.glasgow.ac.uk/services/languagecentre/efl/usefullinks/
• Essay checking service: 2 weeks notice required. Costs £8.00 per hour. Details at: http://www.glasgow.ac.uk/services/languagecentre/efl/essaycheckingservice/
• Language Exchanges: University students and staff can arrange a language exchange via the Faculty of Education Moodle (no enrolment key is required):
http://education.moodle.gla.ac.uk/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=19326
• Student Learning Service: Effective Learning Advisers provide study guidance for all students on undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses; see their website at:
http://www.glasgow.ac.uk/sls/

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW LANGUAGE CENTRE, ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE UNIT,
Hetherington Building, Bute Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RS
Telephone: 0141-330 6521  Fax: 0141-330 4114  E-mail: efl@gla.ac.uk 
URL: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/languagecentre/efl/

Proof reading service for applications
The Careers Service has established a register of trained proof-readers who can check your applications for spelling and grammatical errors.

How does it work?
• Firstly, you e-mail us to make a request for 'proof-reading' at least two weeks ahead of an application deadline.
• We then send your application to one of our proof readers.
• The proof-reader checks your work and comments on your use of English, eg. vocabulary, verb tense, use of definite/indefinite article, spelling, and punctuation. At this stage, they may contact you by phone or suggest a meeting to clarify points of meaning.
• The proof reader returns your application by email.
The charge for this service is £4 for half an hour or £7.00 per hour. Payment is made directly to the proof-reader. The proof reader will inform you if the application requires more than one hour’s work. To request the services of one of our proof readers send an email to: careers@admin.gla.ac.uk .

Please Note: The Careers Service will do its best to find you a proof-reader, but cannot make any guarantees. Proof Readers will only check the language in your CV. For general information on producing effective applications you should refer to the online seminars mentioned on this site or call into the Careers Service in person.
 

Graduate programmes suited to Chinese students
The Careers Service at the London School of Economics has compiled a list of graduate programmes either aimed specifically at, or at least very much open to Chinese graduates. Both lists are given below: UK Graduate Schemes Aimed at Chinese Students

KPMG
This special programme is designed for Chinese nationals who have attended a UK university and are interested in developing a career in Audit. Based in London, the programme gives you the chance to study for professional qualifications while gaining three years’ work experience with KPMG in the UK. Upon your return to China you should be offered the chance to continue your career with KPMG in China.

Ernst and Young
The China In Your Future Programme is open to Mandarin and Cantonese speaking individuals with a desire to study for a professional qualification, whilst gaining three years work experience in the UK – before returning to China to continue their career with Ernst & Young in China. Vacancies for the Ernst & Young China Programme exist in London or Reading working in the UK firm’s Audit practice and Birmingham for Technology and Security Risk Services (TSRS)
PwC and Deloitte programmes - don't appear to have specific China national programmes - but websites advertise graduate vacancies based in China.

Tesco
A 12-month Fast-Track scheme with opportunities in all business areas, from Finance and Commercial to Personnel and Marketing. Programme starts in China during September, then six to nine months is spent on a structured development programme in the UK. This will include time in UK stores. Recruits then develop skills in their chosen business area, before making a permanent move to China (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenyang) to complete the programme.

ICI
Graduate recruits in ICI Paints in China spend 12 months on a structured assignment in a global Paints businesses outside China. These recruits undertake a cross-business/cross-functional project, developing broader business insights and understanding.

McKinsey
During the Asia House Program you work within teams of consultants serving clients in but Europe and Asia. The overall program lasts two to three years. You start at Asia House in Frankfurt or Paris. As an Asia House member, in general, you are expected to stay 12 to 18 months at Asia House Frankfurt and afterwards transfer back an office in Asia. Once in Asia, you have the opportunities that all consultants do in terms of mobility: Engagements are mostly in Asia also internationally, fixed-term office exchanges, as well as permanent relocation to another office, depending on your capabilities and the firm's needs.

Rolls Royce
This programme is aimed at graduates who are interested in developing their professional expertise while gaining a significant amount of work experience in the UK before returning to work for Rolls-Royce in China.
You will be employed by Rolls-Royce in China but initially, you will be seconded to the UK for a period of up to 18 months. Global Graduate Schemes

HSBC
Runs a number of different programmes. The international management programme involves moving to a different location every two years.

BSi
An independent world leader in standards, systems assessment, product testing and certification and training. The 2 year management training scheme is designed to enable BSI graduates to become well rounded business professionals. Each graduate undertakes four 6-month secondments across the divisions within the BSI group, with the possibility of working internationally for one of the secondments for example Hong Kong, U.S or China.

Other organisations that have run schemes in the past that have targeted Chinese nationals include Rexam and Fyffes.