How to Make a Good LinkedIn Profile as a Student at Uni (UK)

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In this post we will go through 7 steps to create a good LinkedIn profile as a university student or recent graduate.

Whether you’re aiming for an industrial placement, internship, or graduate job, having a polished LinkedIn profile can massively boost your chances.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, connecting job seekers and employers since 2003. With over 44 million users in the UK (Statista), it’s no longer optional for students—it’s essential.

Nevertheless, many university students still ask:

• Is LinkedIn useful for students?
• Should I create a profile at university?
• Is LinkedIn really useful for students with little or no experience?
• What exactly should I include on my profile?

The main answer to all of these: Yes—LinkedIn is one of the best tools you can use at university. This guide will show you exactly how to make your profile stand out, step by step.

Why LinkedIn is Useful for Students in the UK 💼

LinkedIn acts as a digital CV, allowing you to showcase your education, skills, and achievements in one place. Recruiters use it daily to discover candidates for graduate schemes, placements, and internships.

Here’s why you should start building your LinkedIn profile while still at university:

• Networking power: Connect with recruiters, alumni, and industry professionals directly.
• Job access: Apply for roles (and get approached by recruiters).
• Skill-building: Use LinkedIn Learning (free at most UK universities via your student portal) to earn certifications.
• Visibility: Employers often search LinkedIn before shortlisting candidates.

💡 Tip: If you’re not sure whether your university gives free LinkedIn Learning access, ask your careers team or check your student intranet.

Should You Have a LinkedIn Profile at University?

Basically, unlike a paper CV, your LinkedIn profile is searchable, so keywords (like “Data Analysis,” “Digital Marketing,” or “Team Leadership”) can make you discoverable by employers.

According to Prospects UK, networking and building a professional presence online significantly increase your chances of securing internships and graduate jobs. LinkedIn provides the perfect platform to do both.

According to Jobvite, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates. That means even if you never apply for a role directly through the platform, opportunities may come to you simply by being visible.

In other words, creating a LinkedIn profile at university isn’t optional anymore — it’s a career advantage.

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The 7 Steps to a Strong Student LinkedIn Profile

Step 1: Choose a Strong Profile Picture 📸

Your profile photo is the first impression you give recruiters—research shows that profiles with a photo get up to 21x more profile views (LinkedIn).

✅ Do:

• Use a clear, high-quality headshot (no holiday snaps or party pictures).
• Aim for good lighting and a neutral or uncluttered background.
• Wear something neat and professional — a shirt, blouse, or smart casual look works fine.
• Smile! A friendly, approachable expression is more inviting than a serious or blank face.

❌ Avoid:

• Party shots, holiday selfies, or cropped group photos.

💡 Many UK universities (via their student unions or careers departments) offer free professional headshots—check if yours does.

Step 2: Write a Compelling Headline 🔑

Don’t just write “Student at University of X”. Instead, use your headline to highlight career interests and aspirations.

Examples:

• Computer Science Student | Interested in Software Development & AI
• Economics Graduate | Passionate about Data Analysis & Financial Policy

Basically, your headline acts like a keyword for recruiters—so think about the roles you want to appear in searches for.

Step 3: Craft a Strong About Section 📝

This is your personal pitch. Many students leave it blank—but it’s one of the first things recruiters read!

A good About section should include:

1. Who you are (student/graduate, your degree, career interests).
2. What makes you unique (skills, volunteering, societies, personal projects).
3. What you’re looking for (internship, placement, graduate role).

Keep it concise (3–4 short paragraphs) and approachable. See some examples below:

“I’m a final-year enthusiastic Computer Science student at the University of Manchester, passionate about AI and data-driven solutions. Experienced in Python and R, I’ve worked on machine learning projects and enjoy problem-solving challenges. Currently seeking an industrial placement in data analytics or software development.”

“Highly motivated Business Management student at the University of Liverpool, passionate about digital marketing and project leadership. Experienced in customer service and group projects, with strong teamwork and problem-solving skills. Aspiring to develop a career in brand strategy.”

Notice how these examples cover the key points by stating your current status (student, graduate), highlighting key skills (technical, teamwork, problem-solving), and showing your ambition (career direction).

Why does this matter? Because recruiters do read this section to get a sense of your goals and personality.

This is where you stand out beyond your degree title! On the other hand, a blank “About” can make you seem disengaged.

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Step 4: Add Work & Volunteering Experience 💼

Students often think they have “no experience” worth adding, but that’s rarely true. Even if you don’t have professional experience yet, part-time jobs and volunteering count for more than you think!

In fact, research from UCAS shows that employers increasingly value transferable skills developed through university projects, volunteering, and part-time work.

• Retail, hospitality, or tutoring → show teamwork, customer service, time management etc.
• Volunteering → demonstrates initiative and social commitment.
• University societies → leadership and organisational skills.

Use action verbs to highlight what you did and what you achieved:

• “Delivered high-quality service in a fast-paced retail environment”
• “Organised weekly society events for 100+ attendees”
• “Managed social media content for a university society, increasing engagement by 40% in one semester”

This shows recruiters that you’re actively developing skills, even if the job wasn’t directly related to your degree. Remember, recruiters care less about job titles and more about transferable skills.

Step 5: Expand Your Education Section 🎓

Don’t just list your degree and uni name, that’s not enough. Add detail and give your education the depth it deserves.

Include:

• Key modules (e.g., Marketing Strategy, Data Analytics, Organisational Behaviour).
• Projects or dissertations (e.g., “Final-year research project on sustainable business practices in retail”).
• Academic achievements (scholarships, prizes, group projects).
• Accreditations (e.g., Chartered Management Institute recognition).

Example:

BA (Hons) Psychology, University of Leeds (2022–2025)

• Key Modules: Cognitive Psychology, Social Behaviour, Statistics
• Dissertation: “Impact of Sleep Patterns on Student Academic Performance”

This shows depth and makes your education more discoverable in searches. Moreover, it gives recruiters a real sense of your knowledge, they don’t just want to know your degree title — they want to understand your expertise.

Step 6: Showcase Licenses & Certifications 🏅

Adding certifications shows you’re proactive, recruiters love them because they demonstrate you’ve gone beyond your degree.

Use LinkedIn Learning (free via most UK unis) for quick wins that get automatically added and displayed on your profile! Examples of valuable student certifications:

• Courses in Excel, Project Management, and Digital Marketing are particularly valued.
• Google Certificates (Analytics, Digital Garage).
• Microsoft Office Specialist (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

These can be completed in hours but make your profile stand out to recruiters. You could also go for less technical certifications such as leadership training, diversity & inclusion, time-management and so on.

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Step 7: Build Your Skills & Get Endorsements 🚀

Think of this as SEO for your career. Recruiters search by skills, so include both technical and soft skills.

Add both soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving) and technical skills (coding languages, software, data analysis).

Why should you seek for endorsements? According to LinkedIn data, members with 5 or more skills endorsed are contacted up to 33x more by recruiters.

💡 Pro tip: Ask professors, mentors, or past managers to endorse your skills. Endorsements act as social proof that you’re not just claiming abilities.

Build Your Network: Don’t Be Shy! 🔗

Ultimately, remember that LinkedIn is not just a CV — it’s a networking tool. The bigger your network, the more visible you become.

Therefore, you’ve got to grow your profile strategically:

• Connect with classmates, lecturers, and alumni from your university.
• Follow companies you’re interested in and engage with their posts.
• Join industry groups (e.g., “UK Graduates in Finance” or “STEM Women”).
• Don’t be afraid to send a short, polite message when connecting (e.g., “Hi, I’m a student at [uni] interested in your field — I’d love to connect.”).

Recruiters often filter candidates by network size, so reaching 100+ connections can improve your profile visibility significantly.

If your profile is filled with the right keywords (recruiters use them when searching – CIPD Skills Reports), you can appear in searches for internships, graduate roles, or placements without even applying.

FAQs: Common LinkedIn Questions for Students

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How to Make A Good LinkedIn Profile – Final Thoughts

Making a good LinkedIn profile as a student can open doors to placements, internships, and graduate jobs. The earlier you start, the more connections and credibility you build.

By optimising your profile with the right keywords, showcasing your transferable skills, and taking advantage of LinkedIn Learning, you’ll stand out in a competitive graduate job market.

Don’t wait until your final year—start today. 🚀

👉 Next: Read our guide on How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Graduate Job or Internship (UK Guide)

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