JOB PROSPECTS AFTER STUDYING IN UK FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

The United Kingdom (UK) has always been one of the most preferred study abroad destinations for the international students, including Indians. Recently, the UK has been going through a turmoil due to the scrapping of the post-study-work scheme and Brexit-vote. International students (and even their parents) fear that they might not get a job in the UK, after completing studies in the UK. It’s not all dark and gloomy for the international students in the UK. There is some interesting stuff for international students about study in the UK.

The UK has got a rich academic heritage and reputation for high-quality education, and it is the home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities. UK universities rank consistently among the Top 100 universities of the world. London is still one of the strongest financial and banking hubs of the world. Last but not the least; the UK has also been a pioneer in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, arts, music and so on. But, there have been some serious changes that have led to a lot of competition in the job market. More specifically, it has led to the assumption (even belief) that it is impossible to get a job in the UK for an international student. Well, it’s not true at all.

The UK attracts a large proportion of all international students (around 12%), and 18% of those in higher education in the UK in 2013-14, were international students.

Among the big draws for students is the high quality of life and good employment prospects after graduation. But unless you are a resident of a country within the European Union, or European Economic Area (EEA), in which case you are able to live in the UK with few restrictions, you will need to jump a few hurdles to remain in in your new home once your course finishes. Put simply, you’ll need to find well-paid work.

As soon as you graduate, international students need to switch their visa to a work-related one if they wish to extend their stay. However, new laws have made it tougher for international students to do so, and the post-study work visa was scrapped in 2012. This had allowed non-EU students to stay in the UK and work for up to two years after graduation while looking for work, whereas students are now able to stay for just four months after the completion of their course. What’s more, most international students who are able to find work will need to have a starting salary of at least £20,800.

The fact is you can stay in the UK after finishing your degree on a Tier 2 visa (work permit), provided you have got a job as per your qualification. You cannot stay in the UK doing an odd job with a degree in Engineering or Finance. It is indeed fiercely competitive for international students to get a job in the UK. Approximately, 50, 000 international students get graduated in the UK every year. In 2014, only 5, 639 international students were granted a Tier 2 visa . So, approximately 90% of the international students have to return back to their respective home countries.

But, it is nothing sort of impossible. In order to get a job and stay in the UK, you just need to be qualified, skillful, strategic and proactive. So, let’s have a look at the current trends in education and jobs in the UK for international students, and how to get a job in the UK as international students.

There is another reason, and could be more crucial for international students – most of those subject fields can lead to the jobs that are under the skill-shortage category. The concerned body of the UK Government carries out research to identify skill shortages in the UK job market. The skill shortage list includes skilled occupations that the UK employers find it difficult to recruit (or fill) for. So, for these kinds of jobs, it is easier for international students to get the jobs, provided they have got the relevant qualification and skill-set. Let’s have a look at the top job categories that are under the skill shortage in the UK.

·         Physical Sciences: Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geology, Hydrogeology

·         Civil Engineering

·         Petroleum Engineering

·         Oil & Gas Engineering

·         Mining Engineering

·         Electrical Engineering

·         Chemical & Process Engineering

·         Environmental Engineering & Renewable Energy

·         IT & Computer Sciences: Programming, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security, Games Design,

·         Animation & Visual Effects

·         Systems Engineering

·         Medical Diagnostics

·         Medical Physics

·         Radiology

·         Medicine (specific specializations only)

·         Bioinformatics

·         Statistics

·         Dance & Music

·         Graphic Design

Pursuing a degree in one of the above fields will increase your chances of employability in the UK. But, don’t assume that a job is guaranteed. You still need to work hard, develop a particular skill set and apply yourself.

For example, Data Science is huge demand all over the globe these days. What I have seen in the last few years is that someone from Electronics & Communication or Commerce background go abroad for pursuing a Masters in Data Science. Don’t do that. You need to have proper skill set and experience in Data Science. For example in the UK, to get employed as a Data Scientist by a qualifying company needs a minimum of five years of relevant experience, leadership skills and a minimum salary of GBP 33, 000 per year. So, do choose carefully what to study.

Tips for International Students to get Jobs in the UK

Start Early

Don’t wait until the last moment for applying to internships or jobs. If you are a Masters student in the UK, you have to get started within two months after landing in the UK. It is competitive, so don’t just sit back and relax.

Develop and Refine Your Skill Set

Whether you are pursuing a Bachelor or Master, you should have a rare skill set along with other technical and generalist skills. This will help you to get sponsored by the company. You can apply for the Tier 2 Visa yourself once you get a job and the Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer.

Network Properly

You’re in a new country, and you are about to face stiff competition for a graduate or post-graduate job. You need to network rigorously, both in-person and online (LinkedIn, beBee  etc.). Learn more about Strategic & Effective Networking.

Invest Time in your Personal Branding

This is something several folks underestimate. But, in today’s digital age, having a consistent and strong personal brand online can take you a long way. Read about the Best Tips to Build a Strong Online Brand for Yourself in order to Get Jobs.

Choose Universities Carefully

You don’t necessarily need to attend the top 5 in the country for getting a job. But, do choose the university wisely. You need to consider the subject rankings, industry tie-ups & links, employer reputation, graduate employability rate etc.

You can take help from Top Overseas Education Consultant in Mumbai who will help you in choosing the right university or college that perfectly fits your career and also assist you with the visa and scholarship processes .So, I hope I have touched on the most common dilemma factors as far as UK education is concerned, and finally, I wish to conclude that the viability of UK education largely depends upon the individual circumstances and goals.