Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) released data showing – an increased number of international students are considering London as their destination for education. The number of international students studying in universities across London has increased by 8.4% – risen by 1,35,490 since the previous year.
The period of 2019-2020 has seen a record number of international students chose London. London was thus reinstated globally as the place of choice among international students.
The unprecedented increase in the number of Indian students in London is attributed to the reinforcement of the two-year post-study visa for international students by the UK government. Indian students, by virtue of the new post-study visa, can stay back after their study in UK in search of employment for a more extended period.
The Graduate Route-
- In effect, from July 1, the Graduate Route allows Indian students to stay back and work in the country without a sponsor.
- To be eligible under the rule- you will have to complete your study with courses recognized in the UK through legitimate education providers. The rule extends to students at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
- You can now work in the UK for two years after earning a degree at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. If you are a student pursuing a doctoral degree, you can stay back for three years.
- You do not need a job offer to apply for a post-study work visa. The rule comes with no condition on the salary requirement.
- This introduction is a step towards increasing the development of a student’s career as they have the leeway to switch jobs and work flexibly.
London accented to the first position internationally, overtaking Tokyo and Melbourne as the best city in the world for education as published by the QS Quacquarelli Symonds education consultancy.
India claimed the second position in the number of students studying in the UK, only behind China with 29,940 students.
55,465 Indian students enrolled for higher education across universities of the UK. A majority were admitted to institutions across England, followed by Scotland and then Wales and Northern Ireland.