fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
17th Jul 2019

UK survey maps career outcomes of foreign graduates

A newly released survey provides a unique snapshot of the employment outcomes for foreign alumni of British universities. International Graduate Outcomes 2019 was commissioned by Universities UK International (UUKi) and produced by iGraduate. It gathers survey responses from more than 16,000 international graduates from 58 British institutions.

“The survey results show that international graduates from UK universities go on to successful and satisfying careers, and that the majority of them recognise that their UK degree is a vehicle for their success,” highlights the report. “The results also show just how valuable our international graduates are as ambassadors for the UK.”

The survey findings reveal a high level of student satisfaction, with 90% of graduates reporting that they are satisfied with their learning experience and the support they received from their universities in the UK. Meanwhile, 82% say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their careers so far.

In other headline findings:

  • 82% of international graduates say that their UK degree was worth the financial investment;
  • Nearly the same proportion (83%) felt that their UK degree helped them to get a job;
  • More than half (53%) said that they earn “above average or well above average” compared to peers that earned degrees in their home country;
  • Roughly eight in ten (77%) said that they are now more likely to do business with the UK – slightly more (81%) expected to build professional links with UK partners and nine in ten said they would return to the UK for holiday travel.

They survey findings have been published even as the UK is working toward a new international strategy that aims to increase the country’s foreign enrolment to 600,000 students by 2030. To get there, it will have to make substantial gains over the current base of roughly 460,000 foreign students in British higher education, and it will have to shake off several years of very marginal growth in foreign student numbers.

The relatively flat growth in foreign enrolment over the last five years can be traced back to more restrictive post-study work policies introduced by the British government in the early part of this decade. The new international strategy, many observers feel, hinges on a proposal to expand work rights for international graduates. Even if successful, however, the proposed UK offer will still lag considerably behind that of other major study destinations.

Speaking to Times Higher Education, UUKi Director Vivienne Stern argues that the new alumni survey is an important additional piece of evidence for the government’s policy deliberations.

“I would point to [foreign graduates’] desire to maintain professional and business links, their desire to maintain research links and to come for tourism [after graduation]. We benefit, they benefit, the country benefits. It’s a kind of win, win, win…“If [the work rights amendment] isn’t accepted when the immigration bill returns to Parliament, I will eat my hat.”

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • United States: Government enforcement action on schools, universities, and international students intensifies Read More
  • UK commission calls for a more strategic and sustainable approach to international student recruitment Read More
  • Study shows that international educators and students want to lessen carbon footprint but that barriers remain Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

United States: Government enforcement action on schools, universities, and international students intensifies The Trump administration is intensifying its scrutiny of US higher education institutions and international students. As of April...
Read more
UK commission calls for a more strategic and sustainable approach to international student recruitment The United Kingdom’s most recent international education strategy was released in 2019. It set a target of attracting...
Read more
Ireland: Non-EU international students will be most affected by a new, increased threshold for available funds The Irish government has announced increases in the minimum funds requirements for foreign students. The changes will come...
Read more
SEVIS data reveals decline in international enrolments in the US in 2024/25 The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Fall 2024 Snapshot reported a 3% increase in foreign enrolments in US...
Read more
International student policy in the spotlight during Australian election Australia will hold its next federal election on 3 May 2025. The vote looks to be hotly contested,...
Read more
US tariffs trigger global economic disruption and new concerns for international educators If in 2024, we looked back over the past 25 years, most of us would have identified three...
Read more
US signals new scrutiny of student visas amid reports of softening demand from foreign students Student surveys conducted earlier this quarter highlight an overall positive disposition among international students towards studying in the...
Read more
Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment Taiwan is steadily increasing the number of international students it hosts in its colleges and universities. In 2024,...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links