Post study opportunities in the UK

Are you aware of the latest policy changes which have happened in the UK Higher Education Sector?

If you are one of those passionate students who is inclined towards choosing the UK as a study destination, we have some great news for you! The UK Government has announced the return of post-study work visa under which you’ll be able to stay in the UK after graduating for 2 Years to work or search for a job.

You as an international student will now be able to look for work in any sector and at any level and will be able to switch into the skilled work route if you meet the requirements. Currently, graduates with bachelor's or master’s degrees are allowed to work for only four to six months. But after the upcoming intakes, all international graduates who have successfully completed a course in any subject at undergraduate level or higher would qualify to work for two years post their studies in the UK.

The return of this policy was reintroduced by British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to boost international student enrolments and to attract the best talent from around the world to British Universities. The announcement is greeted and welcomed with enthusiasm by 130 institutions and universities in the UK.

This scheme which was scrapped in 2012 by former British prime minister, Theresa May has been reintroduced, realizing the important cultural and economic contribution international students make to the country. This policy change will not only help students to hold lifelong links with the UK, but also a wide range of employers will now benefit from access to talented graduates from around the world.

“Job hunting after university was tough,” says Frank Van Den Berg, 23, who grew up in Holland and moved to the UK to study history at University College London.” It took me almost six months to find a good graduate position here, it’s so competitive. Fortunately I was able to survive by working in bars while I looked for work.” He adds that the freedom to stay and do casual work for as long as he wished was a huge help – a privilege that students from outside the EEA don’t currently have.

Visa options:

Tier 2

Tier 2is the most common visa route for international graduates. To qualify, you’ll need to find work with an employer who is willing to pay you a minimum salary of £20,800 a year, and depending on the type of work you wish to do, this figure may rise. Further to this, the employer is usually required to demonstrate that they have advertised the job and were unable to find a suitable UK applicant to fill the post before they can offer it to an international student.

Start-up visa

The start-up visa has replaced the old Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) visa which is not available anymore.

In order to be eligible for a start-up visa, you’ll need to be endorsed by a UK higher education institution or a business organisation with a history of supporting entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. You’ll also need to be able to show that you have a valid business idea that is new, innovative and viable

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme

The third commonly used option to get a visa for the UK is the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme. To qualify, you’ll need to be aged 18-30, and be from either Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea or Taiwan. Places are limited, and you’ll need at least £1,890 in savings to apply. With the Tier 5 visa you can stay in the UK for up to two years, and it cannot be extended.