The British government announced that Nigerians, and other international students have been allowed to work in England after successful completion of a UK degree, or an eligible professional qualifications.
A statement revealing this information was issued on Thursday titled, “New UK post study graduate route to open to all Nigerian students this summer,” signed by the second secretary political head of communications, British High commission Dean Hurlock.
According to the statement, the government said graduates should look for work after their studies for a maximum period of two years, and three years for PhD students.
This will ensure that UK has the outstanding students to contribute to the UK post study.
Furthermore applications for the graduate route would open on July 1, 2021, ensuring that Nigerian, students would continue to choose UK as the destination to study and build careers.
The statement reads, “Today, the UK government has confirmed the new graduate route will open for application on July 1, 2021, to international students who 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 best student to contribute to the UK post study”.
Nevertheless, the High Commission also disclosed that the Corona virus concessions for students unable to travel to UK due to the Covid-19 pandemic have also been extended, recognizing the continuing disruption many face in international travel.
In addition, it revealed that “by June 21 (updated from April 6, 2021) applicants who began their studies in autumn 2020 is expected to be in UK, and also students who began their studies in January or February 2021 should be in UK by September 27.
“The graduate route will not be sponsored, implying that applicants do not need a job offer; no minimum salary required or caps on number. Graduates are free to work at their disposal.
“To gain access international students must have completed a UK degree at bachelor’s degree level or above with a track record of compliance with the UK government immigration requirements.”
It also added that the new graduate route would help the UK government to achieve the ambition set out in international education strategy to increase the number of international students in the higher education in UK to 600,000 by 2030.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
