Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 37) www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK Advice and Information 37 Working in the UK International students studying in the UK contribute a staggering £3billion to the economy every year. No wonder then that there is a system in place to retain some of these students after they have graduated. It is now possible to stay and work in the UK once you have completed your study. The UK Government is currently carrying out the biggest shake-up of the immigration system for a generation. Previous immigration schemes will soon be replaced by the new two tier pointsbased system which is being introduced throughout 2008. Tier 1 of the new system has already been fully implemented and consists of a number of different categories, one of which is specifically designed for international students who wish to work in the UK after they graduate. The Tier 1 (Post study work) sub-category provides a bridge for international graduates from their studies to work in the UK. This category replaces both the International Graduates Scheme and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme. Eligible migrants may stay on after graduation to seek work for up to two years, after which they have to switch into either a skilled or highly skilled immigration category. Time spent under the Post-study work sub-category does not count towards permanent residence. ‘We believe this to be one of the most attractive staying on schemes in the world,’ explains a Home Office spokesperson. ‘It will boost our economy both by enabling these graduates to remain in the UK and by making studying in the UK a more attractive prospect.’ The UK is welcoming postgraduate students who gain from the recognised high standard of education because – whether they stay in the UK or go overseas – they develop an affinity for the country which can only benefit the British people. The opportunity to work in the UK for a two-year period following graduation offers students a vital opportunity to develop useful skills and experience for their future careers. This two-year period also offers more time for those wishing to secure a more permanent role and transfer to one of the other immigration categories with a view to remaining in the UK long term. AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY workers and families living in Aberdeen. I’m more than impressed with the way the locals have accepted the changes taking place in their city and I see a bright future for Aberdeen.’ Having spent over three years in the city, Sebastine is clear in which direction he would like his career to take him. ‘My long-term goal is to solidify my engineering career here, build an adorable family, and make a meaningful contribution to the growth of Scotland.’ This is exactly what the UK government now wants to achieve for the whole of the UK by rolling out the new Tier 1 (Post-study work) subcategory. Welcome aboard. Please note details of the new points-based system may change before it is implemented. For the most up-to-date information visit the Home Office UK Border Agency or The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). FURTHER INFORMATION One student who hopes to do just that is Sebastine Chibueze Osita who benefited from employment in the UK on one of the previous immigration schemes, Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland. Sebastine came from Nigeria to take an MSc in Oil and Gas Engineering at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. He now works as a junior engineer and is full of praise for Aberdeen, where he and his family live. ‘As the oil capital of Europe, there are growing numbers of foreign Home Office UK Border Agency www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy/ The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) Useful advice line and information resources www.ukcisa.org.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy/ http://www.ukcisa.org.uk
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