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NEW INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES SCHEME - RAMMELL
28 March 2007
A new scheme which will enable international students to stay on in the UK for a year to work after they have completed their studies was announced by the Government today.
International students who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher level qualification in any subject from a university or college in the United Kingdom will be able to stay on for a year. To be introduced on 1 May 2007 it will help cement the UK’s status as a top study destination for international students. Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell, said:“International students bring many benefits to the UK. After the United States, the UK is the country which attracts the most international students and we need to build on this enviable position.
"Today's changes will help ensure Britain continues to attract students who contribute so much to the UK’s economic and cultural life. Allowing them to work in the UK for a year will provide them with valuable work experience to augment the knowledge and skills they have acquired at our universities and colleges. It will also allow UK employers to benefit from skilled people who have gained UK qualifications and have experience of living in the UK. “Higher Education Institutions have told us that a staying on scheme which is available to all graduates irrespective of subject of study will enhance the UK’s attraction as a study destination in what has become an intensely competitive international student market. The new scheme underlines the importance which the Government attaches to maintaining and enhancing the UK’s status as a leading exporter of higher education.” Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne added: “We welcome students from overseas who come here legally. International students in higher education contribute more than £3billion a year to the economy and it is only right that if they have been trained at a British institution they should be given an opportunity to use their skills to contribute to Britain’s cultural and economic prosperity. “However, at the end of their year working in the UK they will be expected to return home, or apply for leave to remain under an appropriate skilled workers scheme in the same way that anyone who wants to come here to take up skilled employment has to. “
Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The new International Graduates Scheme will come into effect on 1 May 2007. International students who have acquired a bachelor degree or higher qualification in any subject from a recognised UK higher education institution will be able to apply to stay on to work in the UK for up to one year. 2. The Scheme replaces the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme, established in 2004 to encourage international students who had graduated in certain scientific disciplines to stay in the UK to work. Lists of eligible courses based on trends in the numbers of UK students graduating were drawn up. Under the scheme students were only eligible to stay if their course was one of those listed.3. key features of the new scheme are:-a. The existing SEGS list of eligible courses, which expires at the end of April, will not be renewed. Instead the Immigration Rules will be amended to indicate that no restrictions apply in relation to subject of qualification for those applying after completing a qualification from 1 May 2007. Applicants will still have to apply within one year of successfully completing their qualification.b. Unlike SEGS which applied only to those with a 2:2 or above, any degree class (except fail) will be eligible.c. Those with post-graduate certificates and diplomas, such as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will be eligible to apply.d. Eligible international graduates will be offered a permit granting them to stay in the UK for 12-months to seek work.
e. The International Graduates Scheme will be a transitional route from studying in the UK into skilled work. Extensions of the leave in this category will not be permitted and it won’t itself be a route to settlement. f. To stay in the UK beyond the 12 months granted under this scheme, international graduates will be required to apply and meet the criteria of one of five suitable immigration categories: the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme; Work Permits; Innovator; Persons seeking to establish themselves in business; or Student leave.This change is one of several immigration rules changes announced by the Home Office in a written statement to Parliament today, including a change to the Scotland-only Fresh Talent: Working Scotland scheme for international students in Scotland.
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0057
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