Experiencing the UK Graduate route: China, master's degree

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), a member of UKCISA’s International Student Employability Group (ISEG), has captured the experiences of international graduates seeking employment in the UK after graduation in a series of case studies.

Who are you?

Where do you work?

Thoughts on your visa 

The graduate visa helped me gain the full right to work in the UK and thus secure a role. The application process is clear and it only took three days for me to receive the decision. It was then easy to prove my right to work in the UK to the employer. 

Support and development 

While at university, I attended skills enhancement sessions. I think the university could provide more support for graduates in the several months after they graduate, activities might include extra check-in/skills sessions or short-term work experiences.

Employer knowledge and attitudes 

Employers are aware that international students can gain the right to work by applying for this visa and therefore generally require that they already hold this visa before formally offering a job. It is more complicated for employers to employ international students than home students, so I think they are generally more cautious about that.