Foreign students to get graduate work permits
International students who graduate from UK universities will be permitted to stay on for an extra year to work, the government has announced.
From May 1, students who pass a bachelors degree or earn a postgraduate qualification in any subject can apply to extend their visas in a move that the Department for Education and Skills hopes will "cement the UK's status as a top study destination for international students".
The International Graduates Scheme replaces one that had previously only been open to science and engineering graduates in England.
The higher education minister, Bill Rammell, said the year-long visas will "allow UK employers to benefit from skilled people who have gained UK qualifications and have experience of living in the UK."
The offer comes as overseas fees for the price of student visas rose from £85 to £99 yesterday. Work permits applied for overseas also went up, from £85 to £200.
The National Union of Students welcomed the move, saying it could cushion the blow of the visa charges.
"Visa cost rises are being widely criticised as a disincentive for international students applying to the UK," said NUS officer Issahaku Kotomah. "The policy of allowing international students an extra year's stay to attract more applicants is probably aimed at keeping up numbers to meet ambitions for attracting a lucrative market."
Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, has often been critical of the government's decision to raise visa costs, fearing it will force students to study elsewhere. But a spokesman said this scheme was "good news for the UK higher education sector".
"UUK has been calling for some time for a more coordinated and consistent approach to international student employment opportunities in the UK post graduation," he said.
However, the UUK spokesman warned against complacency, saying other countries were taking similar steps to attract top international students.
The immigration minister, Liam Byrne, said international students in higher education contribute more than £3bn a year to the economy and should have the opportunity to be a factor in Britain's prosperity.
However, he warned: "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."
In 2005, seven percent of a total of nearly 150,000 foreign students who applied for visa extensions were rejected, according to the Home Office.
From May 1, students who pass a bachelors degree or earn a postgraduate qualification in any subject can apply to extend their visas in a move that the Department for Education and Skills hopes will "cement the UK's status as a top study destination for international students".
The International Graduates Scheme replaces one that had previously only been open to science and engineering graduates in England.
The higher education minister, Bill Rammell, said the year-long visas will "allow UK employers to benefit from skilled people who have gained UK qualifications and have experience of living in the UK."
The offer comes as overseas fees for the price of student visas rose from £85 to £99 yesterday. Work permits applied for overseas also went up, from £85 to £200.
The National Union of Students welcomed the move, saying it could cushion the blow of the visa charges.
"Visa cost rises are being widely criticised as a disincentive for international students applying to the UK," said NUS officer Issahaku Kotomah. "The policy of allowing international students an extra year's stay to attract more applicants is probably aimed at keeping up numbers to meet ambitions for attracting a lucrative market."
Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, has often been critical of the government's decision to raise visa costs, fearing it will force students to study elsewhere. But a spokesman said this scheme was "good news for the UK higher education sector".
"UUK has been calling for some time for a more coordinated and consistent approach to international student employment opportunities in the UK post graduation," he said.
However, the UUK spokesman warned against complacency, saying other countries were taking similar steps to attract top international students.
The immigration minister, Liam Byrne, said international students in higher education contribute more than £3bn a year to the economy and should have the opportunity to be a factor in Britain's prosperity.
However, he warned: "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."
In 2005, seven percent of a total of nearly 150,000 foreign students who applied for visa extensions were rejected, according to the Home Office.
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