Post-Study Work Visa: UK’s latest scheme is attracting low-wage workers

As per the latest UK visa news, the post-study work visa scheme is attracting a large number of low-wage workers. The scheme has become popular among students who are willing to work for low wages. 

In one of its latest reports, the Independent Migratory Advisory Committee revealed that with the introduction of the graduate route, the UK had become a popular destination amongst graduate students who are looking for ways to enter the labour market. The graduate route opens the way for international students to work in the UK market for two years after graduation, along with dependants. 

Furthermore, MAC added that even before the introduction of this scheme, many international master's students worked for low wages during the first year of their program. Additionally, this has boosted the UK student market and has seen a surge in the number of international students opting for low-cost universities. 

The committee concluded by adding, “The most likely outcome is that their performance in the labour market will be weaker than previous cohorts . . . we expect that at least a significant fraction of the graduate route will comprise low-wage workers.”

However, PM Rishi Sunak’s promise to bring down the immigration number can affect the admission of international students to UK universities. Whereas UK universities heavily rely on the income they earn from the higher-paying international students, which accounts for almost 20% of their overall income. 

James Cleverly, Home Secretary, asked the MAC to review the graduate route visa in order to protect the quality & integrity of higher education. Furthermore, he added,  “needs to work in the best interests of the UK, supporting the pathway into high-quality jobs for the global talent pool, but reducing opportunities for abuse”.

In this latest UK visa news, the chief executive of the sectoral body of the UK universities, Vivienne Stern, added that the graduate route has helped the UK universities generate £42bn a year. It attracts a great deal of international students every year which helped the UK universities in dealing with the rising funding pressures. 

The cost-benefit of enrolling on a UK masters course had “changed substantially” as a result of the new visa route, the report said, since a student with an adult partner could jointly earn about £115,000 in a minimum wage job over three years in the UK, with course fees starting at £5,000

In conclusion, a more sensible approach can be adopted towards the type of courses & universities students can attend. This also includes the jobs students can take part in and the grades required to graduate. 

We are looking forward to how this will impact the admissions of international students in UK universities. Meanwhile, if you are looking for student accommodation in UK, then don’t forget to check out the options amber offers.