Graduation from a UK university marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for international students. Graduation comes with countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. The post-graduation journey in the UK is filled with promise and potential. However, navigating life after graduation requires a student to properly understand some essential aspects such as visa processing, job hunting, financial management, cultural adaptation, etc.
Securing the correct visa is one of the most important factors regarding your stay in the UK after graduation. These visas will help students stay in the country, get employed, and develop their skills. Simultaneously, graduates must create a strong network to stand out in a competitive job market.
Here, we will explore the various aspects of life after graduation in the UK for international students, including different visas, job market strategies, networking opportunities, career prospects, financial management, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Finally, we will address the everyday challenges of the graduates and provide practical solutions to help them succeed in their post-graduation journey.
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Finding a Job After Graduation
For international students, finding a job after graduation is essential if they wish to stay in the UK. The Graduate Route Visa is the perfect option for students who want to stay in the UK to work or are looking for work after graduation. Students can also apply for the Skilled Worker Route Visa to find a job in the UK. Both of these visas provide students an opportunity to pursue a career after completing their studies in the UK.
Graduate Route Visa
The UK’s Graduate Route Visa is for international students who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree in the UK. Students who have finished undergraduate or master’s degrees can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years, and PhD graduates can apply to stay up to three years.
This visa is unsponsored, meaning you can look for work after graduation. This visa applies to any skill level and has no minimum salary requirements. Additionally, the UK does not limit the number of students who can get the Graduate Route Visa each year. Moreover, you do not need to get any specific job or stay at one job during the course of the visa.
Eligibility Requirements for Graduate Route Visa
There are some eligibility requirements that a graduate must fulfill before applying for the Graduate Route Visa. These are detailed below.
- You are already in the UK.
- Your current visa is a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General)Student Visa.
- You have completed a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with the student visa.
- Your educational institution has notified the Home Office about your course completion.
How to Apply for the Graduate Route
Students can apply online at the official UK government website. Make sure to apply before your Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa expires. You can apply after your education provider notifies the home office that you have completed your course. You do not have to wait until graduation or getting a certificate.
What You Can and Cannot Do
The Graduate Route Visa comes with some conditions. You can do things like working in most jobs, searching for jobs, being self-employed, living in the UK with a partner and children, doing voluntary work, and traveling abroad and returning to the UK.
Things you cannot do include applying for government benefits such as public funds or state pensions and working as a professional sportsperson.
How Much Does the Graduate Route Cost?
Application fees are £822, and you will also have to pay an additional £1,035 each year for healthcare surcharge. Check the government sites to find out the latest cost of the Visa.
Skilled Worker Route Visa
Graduates can also apply for a Skilled Worker Visa to stay in the UK if they have an approved employer and eligible job. This visa differs slightly from the Graduate Route, as there are more conditions. This visa is perfect for graduates who have already gotten a stable job in the UK and are looking to extend their visa. This visa will allow you to stay up to five years and extend or update it later.
Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Worker Route Visa
You must fulfill some eligibility requirements before applying for a Skilled Worker Route Visa. These are given below.
- You must work for a UK employer who has been approved by the Home Office.
- You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship or COS from your employer with details about your job.
- You must have a job that is listed on the eligible occupations
- You must be paid a minimum salary as specified by the authority.
- You will have to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Route
You can apply for the Skilled Worker Route Visa online at the UK government website. How you apply will depend on your condition, such as being outside or inside the UK and extending or switching from a visa. It can take up to three months before you receive your visa.
What You Can and Cannot Do
With a Skilled Worker Route Visa, you can work in any eligible job, study, bring your partner and children, do voluntary work, travel abroad, and return to the UK, or apply to settle permanently in the UK if you have lived in the UK for five years meeting all eligibility requirements.
Things you cannot do include applying for government benefits or State Pension and changing jobs or employers unless you update your visa.
How Much Does the Skill Worker Route Cost?
The usual fees range from £719 to £1,500, but they can vary based on your circumstances, such as where the graduate is applying, the type of visa they are changing, the employer’s conditions, and whether the employer has a sponsor license.
Job Market
Graduates should start looking for jobs even before graduation because it can be a tiresome and time-consuming process. Start your job search by checking out career fairs and events, UK government’s job services, job boards, local and national press, recruitment agencies, sector-specific websites, social media, and university careers and employment services.
Internship & Placements
Most jobs require some experience that you can gain from internships, volunteering, work placements, and work shadowing. Internships are the best way for graduates to gain work experience. Internships can last anywhere from a few weeks up to 12 months. Interns are classified as workers who are paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
Other options to gain experience include volunteering, which does not pay, but allows you to develop your skills and learn about the working process. Work placements are compulsory for some degrees and provide graduates with work experience. Work shadowing involves observing professionals in their roles to gain insight into jobs.
Job Portals & Networking
Numerous online job portals allow graduates to find a job. Some of these are GradSmart, LinkedIn, Indeed, Milkround, Target, Prospects, Graduate Recruitment Bureau, Tempo, DigitalGrads, and Gradcracker. You should also attend career fairs and networking events to find suitable jobs.
Cost of Living in the UK for Graduates
The cost of living in the UK for graduates will vary based on factors such as location, economy, and inflation. On average, graduates should expect to spend approximately £12,000 to £15,000 per year on living costs. This will include accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses.
Accommodation
The accommodation cost will vary based on the location of the apartment, but graduates can expect to pay from £300 to £1,000 per month or even higher for a one-bedroom apartment in the UK. Note that this can change over time.
Transport
For international students, average monthly transportation costs can range from £50 to £200 depending on the traveling distance. Students should look to get cards for public transportation, such as buses and trains, to minimize this cost. The UK offers numerous public transportation options, and students receive discounted offers to use them. Utilize all these offers to reduce transportation costs in the UK.
Food & Groceries
Graduates can expect to spend £150 to £200 monthly on food and groceries, although it can vary based on factors such as supply, season, stock, inflation, etc. Graduates are sometimes not included in the discounted student programs and have to pay extra. Look for discounts and buy in bulk to save money on food and groceries during your stay in the UK.
Entertainment & Social Life
Graduates should also spend money on entertainment and improving their social lives. The UK offers many forms of entertainment, such as cable TV, online streaming services, music streaming services, and various outdoor activities such as hiking, traveling, and clubbing. Graduates should spend about £70 to £180 monthly on socializing and engaging in hobbies.
Work-Life Balance & Social Life
Life after graduation in the UK should strike a perfect balance between work life and social life. Graduates must maintain this balance to ensure that they get to experience the best quality of life during their stay in the UK.
Cultural Adaptation
International students may face cultural shock after arriving in the UK because they will experience a foreign culture. Students must maintain an open mind to assimilate with the culture of the UK. Speak to your counselors about the UK’s culture beforehand to ease this process. Graduates must also absorb the UK’s culture during their stay there.
Networking & Community
Community is critical for graduates to not only find better jobs but also to receive help when necessary. No one can survive alone in a foreign country without the support of the local community. Graduates must find the most suitable communities and attend networking events to widen their social circle. This will be highly beneficial in the long run.
Leisure Activities
International students can look forward to participating in leisure activities in the UK, such as exploring cities, attending cultural events, participating in sports, joining clubs, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife, concert halls, cafes, and music scene.
Continuing Education & Career Growth
Graduates should look for further education to achieve more degrees for their career growth. Undergrad students should start looking for postgrad programs such as master’s and PhD courses even after getting their certificates.
Further Studies
Graduates can get into postgrad programs such as master’s and PhD after completing their degrees. Look for universities and take advice from your consultants to find the best suitable courses to pursue postgraduate degrees from reputable UK universities.
Skill Development
After your graduation, you should focus on developing your skills to stand out among the other candidates. Attend seminars, networking events, workshops, and career fairs to stay up-to-date about the latest developments in your respective fields. Life after graduation in the UK should be focused on developing yourself as a viable employee to get employed.
Career Progression
Focus on your career after graduation because your career will ultimately decide how long you can stay in the UK. Getting a job under government-approved employers means they can sponsor you and even pay the Visa fee for the Skilled Worker Route Visa. Additionally, an ambitious career path will make the UK government value you more.
Challenges & How to Overcome Them
There are many challenges that graduates will face in the UK after finishing their studies. These include visa issues, financial problems, and mental health issues. All of these are described below with possible solutions.
Visa Extensions & Sponsorships
Graduates face the most problems regarding visa extensions and sponsorships. Keep in mind that you should start applying for the Graduate Route Visa even before you get your undergrad or postgrad certificate. Do not wait until the last minutes to extend your Visa. Keep all of your documents ready and up-to-date to apply for visa extensions and sponsorships.
Financial Management
Obtaining an undergrad or postgrad certificate in the UK is considerably costly, including tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, food, and so on. This can become difficult for the students to bear. Better financial management can help a lot in this regard. Keep track of your daily expenses and create monthly budget plans to ensure you do not run into hardship.
Mental Health & Well-Being
Studying in the UK can be quite tasking on a graduate’s mental health as they have to stay in a foreign land away from their loved ones. This can result in various mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Make sure to maintain a good work-life balance by taking a break occasionally and going on vacations. Moreover, take advice from your consultants to overcome mental health issues.
FAQs
Is It Easy to Stay In the UK After Graduation?
Yes, it is relatively easier to stay in the UK after graduation than most other countries because international students can apply for the Graduate Route Visa after completing their honors or masters degree.
Is Student Life Hard in the UK?
Yes, student life in the UK can be challenging for international students as they have to pay extra tuition fees, live in a foreign land, assimilate with the culture, and compete with many talented individuals vying for a career. However, students can overcome all of these with hard work and perseverance.
Can I Get PR in the UK After Graduation?
Yes, you can get PR or Permanent Residency after graduating from a UK university but you have to meet several eligibility requirements. These include getting a Graduate Route Visa, securing a job, applying for the Skilled Worker Route Visa, living according to all laws and regulations, and then applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous residency and employment.
How Much Can a Graduate Earn in the UK?
How much a graduate will earn in the UK will vary based on numerous factors such as industry, location, and field of study. However, a graduate can expect to earn around £25,000 to £30,000 per year in the UK, starting his job after graduation.
Is It Difficult to Get a Job in the UK After Graduation?
Yes, it can be difficult for international students to get a job in the UK after graduation due to high levels of competition, economic downturn, and evolving immigration policies. However, with a proactive approach and strategic planning, graduates can find a job in their respective fields.
Conclusion
Life after graduation in the UK offers students opportunities for personal and professional growth, but it also comes with challenges. Navigating visa options, securing employment, managing finances, adapting to a new culture, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are all essential parts of this journey. Graduates can overcome all of these obstacles to build a fulfilling life in the UK with the right preparation, determination, and support networks.