To work or to study? That is the question.

The UK has long been one of the top destinations to come and study; it is also a very attractive place to work. If you’re thinking of coming to the UK, which is the best option?

The latest figures from UK BA show that between April and December 2011 just over 7,300 migrants were granted a Certificate of Sponsorship through Tier 2 (there are more than 11,000 Certificates of Sponsorship available between now and March 2012!).

Similarly, UCAS have just released figures showing that over 77,000 students from outside the UK have applied for undergraduate courses starting in 2012.  This includes a 13.7% increase in non-EU applicants compared to last year.

So, the UK is still very much seen as a place to work or study.

Working in the UK

As highlighted in our previous blog on Tier 2 and Post Study Work, the UK is a great place to work.  The main reasons are that it will look great on a CV not least because the experiences you’ll gain through working in one of the biggest and most diverse economies in the world.

The skills that employers are looking for fall into four broad areas: self-reliance skills, people skills, general employment skills and specialist skills. Obtaining these skills and using them effectively are the key to being able to get the job you want.  But how can you do this?

Well, the first thing to do is get a job!  There are all sorts of job websites out there and they all have their own particular niche or unique selling point.  We are not in a position to suggest which one is the best, but one thing for certain is that employers use qualifications to determine the skill levels of individuals.  A statement of comparability can help make sure that employers in the UK understand the level of a qualification if it has been awarded outside the UK.

Demonstrating that you have the skills that employers are looking for is difficult, but using the Europass portfolio can help.  Europass is a set of documents that are used across the EU to help individuals highlight their skills, competencies and experience; and what’s more it’s free!!

If you’re from outside the UK and you want to come to work here you’ll have to apply through the Points Based System (see our previous blog to find out more).

Whether you are from inside or outside the EU, being able to use English language is also very important if you want to work in the UK.  Again, we can help you show employers that you are skilled in English.

So, why come to the UK?  It will look great on your CV, you’ll get excellent experience, there are plenty of great employers out there, you’ll improve your English, you’ll earn a comparatively high wage and you’ll benefit from a tolerant multi-cultural society.  In short, it’s a fantastic place to improve your career!

Studying in the UK

The UK is a brilliant place to study.

Some figures:

• The latest figure available on the UKCISA website shows that there are over 400,000 international higher education students in the UK
• The UK is the second most popular destination (behind the USA) for international students
• The UK has 32 of the top 200 universities in the world

This demonstrates that the UK is a great place to study!

The UK offers a great deal for international students.  Alongside the above, the UK can also offer the following:

Worldwide recognition

Qualifications from UK higher education institutions are recognised and respected throughout the world.  The standard of excellence within the UK higher education sector is very well established meaning that the qualifications awarded are amongst the most highly regarded qualifications available.

Receive a quality education

UK higher education is synonymous with quality.  Each UK HEI is responsible for the quality of its programmes, but they are subject to independent audits carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).  The QAA ensures that UK institutions are providing awards and qualifications of an appropriate quality and academic standard.

Great career prospects

All UK Bachelor level qualifications should be awarded with a Diploma Supplement.  This is a document that outlines the details of the course studied and the institution.  It covers the course content, type of study, modules covered and skills required to complete the programme. In addition it contextualises the qualification in relation to the national education system. It is particularly useful when continuing with studies or applying for a job.

Finally, the multi-cultural society of the UK and being a gateway to Europe (for those outside of Europe!) also mean that the UK stands out as a destination to further your study.

If you are from outside the EU then you’ll need to apply through Tier 4 of the PBS.  A statement of comparability will also help admissions staff understand more about your qualifications.

Tim Buttress, February 2012

Please check the Home Office website to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.