The United Kingdom on Monday announced that Nigerians and other international students who want to work in England following successful completion of a UK degree or an eligible professional qualification, can now do so.
According to the British government, the graduates could look for work after their studies for a maximum period of 24 months and 36 months for PhD students.
This, the British High Commission said will allow the UK to retain the brightest and the best students to continue to contribute to the UK post-study.
It stated, “Today, the UK government has confirmed the new Graduate route will open for applications on 1 July 2021, to international students who successfully complete a degree at undergraduate level or above in the UK. International students on the Graduate route will be able to work or look for work after their studies for a maximum period of two years (three years for PhD students). This will allow the UK to retain the brightest and the best students to continue to contribute to the UK post-study.”
The British High Commission also stated that students affected by COVID-19 – those that were unable to travel to the UK due to the pandemic, have been given extension.
It said applicants who began their studies in autumn 2020 will have to have been in the UK by June 21 (updated from 6 April 2021) to be eligible to apply to the Graduate route, adding that students who began their studies in January or February 2021 will need to be in the UK by September 27.
“The Graduate route will be unsponsored, meaning applicants will not need a job offer to apply for the route. There will be no minimum salary requirements nor caps on numbers – Graduates on the route will be able to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required.
“To be eligible, international students must have completed a UK degree at bachelor’s degree-level or above, or an eligible professional qualification at a higher education provider, with a track record of compliance with the UK Government’s immigration requirements,” the statement noted.