Studying a skilled trade in the UK as an international student allows you to develop in-demand technical skills. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in your field through apprenticeships and work-integrated learning. Read on to learn more about what the UK’s skilled trades sector looks like, and learn about some in-demand skilled trades courses for international students.

What Are the Skilled Trades?

In the UK, the skilled trades are careers that require hands-on training, technical expertise, and vocational qualifications. Across the country, there are over 150 occupations which are part of this sector. Most skilled trades fall into one or more of the following sub-sectors:

Construction and Built Environment

This sub-sector includes some of the most well-known skilled trades. Popular construction and built environment trades include carpenters, bricklayers, painters and decorators, roofers, and plasterers.

Mechanical and Electrical Trades

These tradespeople ensure our built environments are safe and comfortable. They include air conditioning techs, electricians, heating engineers, and plumbers.

Manufacturing and Industrial

A career in this sector is ideal for detail-oriented students. Popular manufacturing and industrial trade jobs include welders, toolmakers, machine operators, CNC machinists, and mechanical fitters.

Infrastructure and Civil Trades

From drainage technicians and steel fixers to groundworkers and plant operators, these tradespeople work across a wide variety of job environments to keep communities and businesses running.

Once you’ve been accepted into a study programme and have your student visa, what’s next? Use our Pre-Arrival Checklist for International Students as a guide.

Which Trades Are in High Demand in the UK?

In 2025, the number of infrastructure and housebuilding projects across the UK climbed. This prompted higher levels of interest in these trades:

• Bricklayers and Groundworkers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Fabricators and CNC Machinists
• Multi-skilled Tradespeople
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers

After graduation, some international students choose to gain professional experience in the UK. One way to do this is through the Skilled Worker visa, which can be granted for up to five years.

To be eligible, graduates must have a confirmed job offer before applying. They must also be working for a UK employer who has been approved by the Home Office, be paid a minimum salary, and have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from their employer with information about the role they’ve been offered. Some applicants will also need to prove their knowledge of English, unless they’re from one of the exempt countries or have completed a degree-level qualification at a UK institution.

If you’re considering an application to the Skilled Worker visa stream, your future occupation must be eligible. Before you start your course, make sure it aligns with one of the approved job codes! That said, the eligible occupation list is updated periodically, so check the UK government’s website for the most recent version. 

Featured Skilled Trades Courses in the UK

In skilled trades classes, you’ll learn about current trade practices and how to work safely. You’ll also have hands-on time where you can work with tools you’ll use every day on the job. We’ve featured some UK skilled trades courses that are popular with international students below. Some of the courses on our list align with the in-demand trades above, but remember—each of these institutions offer many different options, so check out their institution pages for more information.

Electrician

Build your knowledge of how electrical installations work, electrical systems design, and how to resolve electrical faults with this foundation diploma in Electrical Installation. You’ll learn how to install and repair electric systems that provide power to a range of buildings. From testing circuits to reading architectural drawings, you’ll pick up key skills in class and through a work placement. 

This one-year national foundation diploma is offered by Gower College Swansea, which has welcomed students since 1825. With a class size that averages 15 students, you’ll have lots of opportunities to connect with other students and your instructors. Plus, build your community and thrive in your classes with access to a tutorial system, tailored social programming, and study skills support. As Wales’ second-largest city, Swansea is a beautiful and friendly destination for international students, and within range of London for a weekend trip.

Aviation Technician

The UK’s aerospace industry is the largest in Europe, and employs over 123,000 people. Consider training as an aviation technician and joining this dynamic industry. These skilled tradespeople understand aircraft systems, materials, and hardware, so that they’re able to keep civilian and military aircraft in top shape. During this two-year Aeronautical Engineering diploma course at Cardiff and Vale College – International Centre for Aerospace Training, you’ll build the skills to pursue a career either as an aircraft fitter or an unlicensed aviation technician.   

In your first year, you’ll earn a Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma, and in your second year, you’ll earn an Extended Diploma. Your first-year classes include engineering mathematics, mechanical principles, aircraft maintenance, and engineering communications, so you can apply your expertise safely. 

During your second year, you’ll take more specialized classes, with topics ranging from radio and radar tech to working with rotary-wing aircraft systems. You’ll also complete a work experience opportunity lasting a minimum of five weeks, giving you a chance to put what you’ve learned in class to practice and build your professional network.

Did you know: The International Centre for Aerospace Training isn’t just home to classrooms! It also has labs, specialist workshop spaces, and a working aircraft hangar.

Construction Manager

Construction managers ensure that building sites run smoothly, and excel at working with a wide variety of professionals, from construction workers to architects. If you excel at project management and want to build both buildings and your career, consider this three-year bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. You’ll balance your time between guest lectures, classroom sessions, and a six-month work placement. You can also complete some of your coursework in a second country if you’d like to—opportunities exist in the US, Australia, and across Europe.

For most of your degree, you’ll study at Glasgow Caledonian University, located in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Last year, GCU earned the title of “UK’s University of the Year for Graduate Jobs” by the Daily Mail, based on how well its graduates find high-skilled roles. Key indicators for the award also included student satisfaction with teaching, graduate salaries, research quality, and social mobility. And Glasgow itself is a great place to be a student: in 2024, it was rated the third-best place to live in the UK (and 53rd in the world).

Building Services Engineer

Take the next step in your career in the skilled trades with this two-year higher national diploma in Building Services Engineering. This course is designed for experienced tradespeople with backgrounds as electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, or facility managers. It helps students build their knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, energy conservation, management skills, and environmental impact.

You’ll take classes at the Southwark campus of London South Bank University (LSBU), where instructors have been providing accredited and professionally recognized courses for over 130 years. All of LSBU’s courses are professionally accredited or built in partnership with relevant professional bodies, so you can be confident that what you’re learning is in line with industry best practices, and will help you build in-demand skills. 

Looking for extra support during your studies? Connect with the dedicated School Student Office, or join a group tutorial. Ready to start planning your career? LSBU has career advisors to help you plan your path after graduation.

Ready to find a skilled trades course that matches your goals? Check out the ApplyBoard platform.