Student Visas - Home Affairs Committee Contents


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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