Supplementary written evidence submitted
by Universities UK (SV28a)
Following on from the oral evidence given by myself
and Professor Edward Acton on 1 February 2011, I am writing with
the additional information requested by the Home Affairs Select
Committee during the evidence session.
The Committee requested further details on the post-study
work opportunities that are available to international students
who choose to study in some of the UK's biggest global competitors.
As you are well aware the UK's Tier 1 Post Study Work route may
be closed; a matter which is of substantial concern to the university
sector as post-study work opportunities form part of the overall
package that attracts international students to study in the UK.
A recent survey of international students, conducted by the London
School of Economics, showed that 56% of respondents cited entitlement
to post-study work as a factor in their decision to study in the
UK.
A number of the UK's biggest competitors continue
to offer post-study work opportunities to international graduates
of their universities. Some specific examples are summarised below.
Within Canada individuals are eligible to apply for
a work permit under the "Post-Graduation Work Permit Program".
A work permit under the "Post-Graduation Work Permit Program"
allows individuals to gain Canadian work experience but cannot
be valid for longer than the student's original course of study.
For example, an individual graduating from a four-year degree
will normally be eligible for a work permit that is valid for
up to but no longer than three years.
In Australia, international graduates can apply to
extend their stay to work in Australia. There are a number of
work visas including professional and skilled migrants, migrants
sponsored by employers and regional employment (encouraging people
to work outside the major cities). In the professional and skilled
migrants category there is value given to having certain Australian
qualifications.
International graduates who have studied at German
institutions can apply to stay in Germany for up to a year after
completing their course.
In New Zealand, there are several post-study work
options available to international students. The options available
depend upon whether an individual has a formal job offer, whether
they are working towards obtaining membership or registration
from a New Zealand professional association or whether they have
no job offer but simply wish to extend their time in New Zealand
to look for work. Students with a job offer of employment relevant
to their qualification may be eligible for a work visa for a maximum
period of two years; or three years if working towards membership
or registration with a professional association. Students without
a job offer may be eligible for a "Graduate Job Search Work
Visa" which allows them to stay for a maximum of 12 months.
Once they have found a job they can then apply for a further visa
for up to two or three years under the Study to Work category.
The Committee also requested further information
on the statement made that students paying a deposit prior to
taking up their studies in the UK are more likely to take their
studies seriously. I am unaware of any formal research that supports
this theory but would like to draw the Committee's attention to
the following information. A number of institutions already charge
deposits to international students. A Universities UK survey in
2010 showed that 43% of respondents required deposits from international
students and that 45% of these required a deposit prior to a Confirmation
of Acceptance of Study being issued to an international student
to enable them to apply for a visa.
Anecdotally some institutions report that the payment
of deposits can help to filter out students who are not completely
committed to taking up a place at the course to which they have
applied, as well as providing some protection to the institution
itself by reducing the risk of the student not turning up to the
course. In addition some students welcome the payment of a deposit
as additional security that they have a confirmed place on a popular
course. The payment of a deposit can be an indicator that a student
is serious about coming to the UK to study.
February 2011
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