New opportunites for students graduating after 1 May 2007
Many students may be interested in changes to the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) which is shortly to change from 1 May 2007 onwards. Currently the scheme enables students graduating from approved Universities in subjects like maths, science, engineering and physics to obtain a visa that lasts twelve months to enable them to find work in the United Kingdom. Students who started their courses after 1 May 2006 are less restricted as to which subject they must have studied. There is no requirement for these students to have already found a position or have an employer who is prepared to sponsor their application.
From 1 May 2007 the Home Office have proposed changes to the scheme which make it available to students graduating in any subject from 1 May 2007 or later. The scheme will be now called the International Graduates Scheme (IGS). From 1 May 2007 onwards, students graduating with a BA level qualification, a postgraduate qualification or diploma in any subject, should be eligible to apply under this scheme.
Effectively, they need to show that they:
- Have successfully completed a relevant course at a recognised or listed UK institution of Higher or Further Education on or after 1 May 2007. A relevant course is:
• a Bachelor’s degree course; OR
• a Master's or PhD course; OR
• a postgraduate certificate or diploma. And must:
- Have completed their course in the last 12 months (as shown by the date of expiry of leave as a Student to complete this course)
- Intend to work during the period of leave granted under the scheme
- Be able to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds;
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of their stay (unless granted leave as a work permit holder, highly skilled migrant, business person, innovator or student).
The change in the scheme has been posted on the Working in the UK Home Office Website and enables those students who cannot obtain a work permit or recognition under the Highly Skilled Migrant Program and those who do not fit into other immigration categories to have a twelve month period in which they can find work. This also allows them to find a potential employer who might then sponsor them under the work permit scheme. Alternatively, by working for twelve months in the UK, they might also obtain valuable points under the Highly Skilled Migrant Program.
More information is posted on the Home Office website