Creative opportunities is a jobs board website for students and graduates at University of the Arts London (UAL). Careers and Employability run this service.
Here you will find tips on how to use the Creative opportunities job board. This includes job application advice, information on our internship policy and how to balance your financial needs with your academic workload.
You will also find information on external support services, giving advice on your employment rights, copyright, health & safety, and international employment.
By using creative opportunities you are agreeing to the creative opportunities terms of use.
Creative opportunities policies
While we check the wording of all opportunities we advertise to ensure it meets employment law, we cannot check the details of all job vacancies or internships. This means we work on a basis of trust with employers and expect them to provide us with accurate details and genuine opportunities for students and graduates.
If you are unsure about anything in the advert, it is worth contacting the employer before applying. We do recommend reading the following before applying for jobs. For international students, please see the links below.
If you are a freelancer, it is advisable to use a written contract once the job requirements and fee have been negotiated.
Students and graduates apply to these jobs vacancies and internships at their own risk. We are not responsible for any costs or damages experienced by applicants during employment.
Top tips for applying for jobs on Creative opportunities
If you find a job or internship you want, apply for it straight away.
Employers do not always stick to the closing date that they have stated. They often remove adverts early if they receive a lot of responses in just a few days.
Do not take part in unpaid work trials
Unpaid work trials are illegal in the UK. It is unlawful for an employer to ask you to take part in one as part of a recruitment process or to assess your suitability for a role. We do not knowingly advertise vacancies that ask you to undertake an unpaid work trial. Please contact us and let us know if you are asked to take part.
We don't advertise any unpaid or expenses only opportunities
All employers who advertise with us have agreed that they will pay their staff in accordance with UK National Minimum Wage legislation. We have not advertised unpaid or expenses-only internships since April 2012. We suggest printing a copy of all opportunities you apply for so that you have a record of the salary offered on the advert.
If an employer tells you that an opportunity you have applied for through Creative Opportunities is unpaid or travel expenses only, please let us know. We will not discuss individual applicants with employers but log and track all concerns received.
Beware of recruitment scams
While we screen every opportunity before advertising it , sometimes an advert that looks genuine turns out to be a scam. It is your responsibility to research companies before applying for any vacancies we advertise. If you are suspicious of any employers please contact us to report your concerns. Do not apply for any positions that ask you to pay an application fee and contact us if a vacancy we have advertised asks you to do so.
For more information and advice about recruitment scams, visit the JobsAware website.
Print or save vacancy details
Vacancies only stay up online for two weeks. So make sure you print the details of any vacancies you apply for in case you get an interview and need to access the job spec.
Review your application before sending it
Employers tell us that the applications they receive often include poor spelling and grammar. You must proof read your application, or ask a friend to read it before sending it.
When you apply mention you saw the advert on Creative Opportunities
This will encourage employers to advertise with us again, increasing the number of vacancies we can offer you.
Balance your financial needs with your academic workload
It is recommended that full-time students work between 10 and 15 hours a week during term time to balance academic workload. International students have restrictions in the number of hours they can work, so please read the section on Employment Issues and Advice.
Services: general help, advice and support
ACAS
acas.org.uk Helpline 08457 474747
ACAS provides independent advice on rights for part-time workers, employment contracts and holiday pay.
Citizens Advice Bureau
citizensadvice.org.uk
CAB advice helps people resolve issues relating to benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment and immigration. Some offices also provide email advice. Visit the CAB website and find your local office by searching under the 'Find your local bureau' option.
Trade Unions
gov.uk/join-trade-union
One of a trade union's main aims is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace. Most trade unions are independent of any employer. Trade unions can help you to negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions. They can also provide legal and financial advice and help with resolving disputes. Visit the DirectGov website for more info on trade unions.
Pay issues
National Minimum Wage
gov.uk/national-minimum-wage
If your employer is paying you less than Minimum Wage you should contact the Pay and Work Rights helpline 0800 917 2368. Or visit the DirectGov website for more information about who can claim the Minimum Wage.
Copyright and ownership
Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS)
dacs.org.uk
DACS is the copyright society for the visual arts. Membership of DACS will help you manage your copyright in the UK and overseas. Services include help with negotiation of fees and collecting fees on your behalf.
Health and safety
Health and Safety Executive
hse.gov.uk
The HSE provides information on workplace health and safety information along with expert advice and guidance.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
suzylamplugh.org
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides practical support and personal safety guidance to help people develop skills and strategies for staying safe in the workplace.
About ArtsTemps
Students and recent graduates of University of the Arts London can register for UAL ArtsTemps. UAL's in-house recruitment service, matches students with part-time jobs at the University. You will need to register online and you will then receive an invite for a face-to-face registration interview. You will then start receiving notifications of suitable roles. Please register for these services via ArtsTemps.
Advice for international students and graduates
We recommend the following links
UK Council for International Student Affairs
ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Can-you-work
The UK’s national advisory body supporting international students and those who work with them.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights
equalityhumanrights.com
The Commission have a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights. They also protect, enforce and promote equality across age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
Prospects
prospects.ac.uk/links/discrimination
Jobseekers from different groups can face unfair discrimination. This website from Prospects, the UK’s official graduate careers website, provides information on the main issues and how can you deal with them.
HMRC - Coming to Work in the UK
gov.uk/topic/personal-tax/coming-to-uk
Here you will find information about what you need to do before you start work as an International. It also tells you about the documents you’ll need, how you pay tax and National Insurance and where you can get help.
Self employment
HM Revenue and Customs
hmrc.gov.uk
For information about registering as self-employed and completing your tax return.
National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs
nacue.com/
NACUE is a fast-paced, grassroots charity that supports and represents student-led enterprise societies and young entrepreneurs to drive the growth of entrepreneurship in Universities and Colleges across the UK.