UK Post-Study Work Visa Rules Relaxed for International Students
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Recent update: The UK Home Office has formally opened its new post-study work visa (graduate route visa) in UK for international students. This will officially allow Indian and other international students to stay in the UK for work after completing their study courses.
UK authorities have recently announced reinstating the two-year post-study work visa for international UK graduates. The new immigration rule announced by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be great news for Indian and international students planning to pursue higher studies in the UK. Previosuly, international students pursuing Bachelor's or Master's degree in the UK can stay for only four months after completing their degree. Only international students studying in 27 universities which are part of the pilot scheme can stay back for six months.
Candidates applying for courses in 2020-21 can avail the benefits of the new immigration rule. The new rule allows students to look for work opportunities or work in the UK for a period of two years after completing their degree. In order to regain its lost glory in the higher education domain, the authorities have not put any limit on the number of students who can apply for the newly announced graduate route for UK.
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The scheme was scrapped by the former British Prime Minister Theresa May in 2012 making the UK less attractive amongst the international students. This led to a sharp decline in the number of Indian students going to pursue higher studies in the UK from 51,218 in 2010 – 2011 to 22,757 in 2011-2012. However, the number gradually improves to 21,881 in the year 2017-18. The announcement further said that the UK government would also consider "how the visa process could be improved for applicants and supporting student employment."
This move will not only benefit prospective international students wish to pursue higher studies in the UK but also equally benefit the UK economically. According to the Education Minister Gavin Williamson “The important contribution international students make to our country and universities is both cultural and economic. Their presence benefits Britain, which is why we’ve increased the period of time these students can remain in the UK after their studies.”
Graduate Route Visa: What you need to know
The Graduate Route is a new UK post-study work visa that has been introduced for international students graduating in summer 2021 or later. It allows international students to live and work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree.
The Graduate Route was first announced on September 2019, then October 2019. Home Office policy staff are working on the scheme and might publish details regarding it around May or June this year. If you are making about your study in the UK based on the Graduate Route, you need to be aware that there will not be any reliable information on Graduate Route until the Immigration Rules are published. The Home Office gas clarified that this will not happen before April 2021 as currently they are designing and implementing a whole new immigration system to come into force by January 2021.
Key announcements
- The new immigration rule will be open to international students who completed a degree at the undergraduate level or above at a higher educational institution with a track record of compliance.
- Successful applicants through this route will be able to stay and work in any sector or any level in the UK for two years. Also, the visa cannot be extended but graduates will be able to switch into skilled work after finding a suitable job.
- Students entering the UK for the academic year 2020-21 will be eligible for this route. Students who have current Tier 4 leave when the new route is introduced may also benefit from it. However. Students whose Tier 4 visa expires before the introduction of the route will not be eligible for the post-study work visa.
- The route will require an in-country application. Application fee and an Immigration Health Surcharge payment will be applicable.
-
Doctoral Ph.D. students will be eligible for three years stay back.
Popular questions asked by students:
Q. What is the UK Student visa fee?
A. The application fee for a UK Student Visa (Tier 4) is INR 35,100.
Q. What is the UK student visa processing time?
A. Generally, it takes three weeks to process a UK visa.
Q. How difficult it is to get a UK student visa?
A. There are certain requirements which the aspirant needs to fulfill for getting a Student Visa. For those who wish to study a full-time degree program needs to apply for a Student Visa, as it is not issued for pursuing part-time courses. Learn everything about the UK Student Visa
Related Read:
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: How good is the University of Chester (UK)?
University of Chester is surely a good option for international students mainly beacuse of a diverse range of excellent academic programs.Below are some reasons why University of Chester is good:
Academics: The University of Chester offers over 200 undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degree programs to international students. The University of Chester University offers undergraduate major and minor courses. Students can also pursue master’s or doctoral programs at the University of Chester University.
Location of the university - The University of is in a location where arts & culture, technology industry and entertainment industry providing endless internship. International Students have access to beaches, outdoor activities, live music/performances and attractions which makes their make campus life more enjoyable. The location gives University of Chester students an additional mark to study at University of Chester.
Ranking: Many global ranking sources like THE (Times Higher Education), etc., have ranked University of Chester among the top universities in the world since 2021. These bodies consistently rank it among the top universities in UK.
Fees: : The cost of attending University of Chester for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at University of Chester are typically higher than for Uk citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending University of Chester.
Q: Is IELTS requirement for Bedfordshire University?
International students whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements. Students can submit their IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test score to meet the English language proficiency. Bedfordshire accepts overall IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element.
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: What are the English language requirements of Essex University?
Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English language requirements of Essex University. The university accepts the test score of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs. Mentioned below are the English language tests and their score for UG and PG admission:
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