complexity of the visa process, not feeling confident enough or having the in-house legal expertise to go through the process. The University of Sheffield has provided some of international students who have gone on to work in the UK after graduation utilising both the Tier 2 and Tier 5 visa. These are a fantastic example of the calibre of our international students and their positive impact on the UK economy. They also outline the tenacity these students need to be successful at securing graduate level work in the UK in light of the complexity of the visa process and the competitiveness of graduate level roles with large organisations (who are most likely to have the ability to sponsor). Following graduation, some international students start their own business via the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route. To give an example, across five higher education institutions there have been 273 students endorsed since the universities became endorsing institutions (between 2012 and 2014). Usually, successful uptake of this scheme relies on a strong enterprise service offered to students within the university, to support the development of their application through workshops and one-to-one advisory appointments. There is a significant challenge in international students obtaining this visa. Government restrictions prevent students from market testing and prototyping to develop an appropriate business plan, as they are unable to freelance or be on their student visa. This challenge is reflected in the fact that whilst one university has 20 licences per year, only two endorsements have been given. For many universities it is often difficult to give as many endorsements as licences, as students have not had sufficient opportunity to their business idea prior to submission due to the aforementioned visa restrictions.
complexity of the visa process, not feeling confident enough or having the in-house legal expertise to go through the process. The University of Sheffield has provided some of international students who have gone on to work in the UK after graduation utilising both the Tier 2 and Tier 5 visa. These are a fantastic example of the calibre of our international students and their positive impact on the UK economy. They also outline the tenacity these students need to be successful at securing graduate level work in the UK in light of the complexity of the visa process and the competitiveness of graduate level roles with large organisations (who are most likely to have the ability to sponsor). Following graduation, some international students start their own business via the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route. To give an example, across five higher education institutions there have been 273 students endorsed since the universities became endorsing institutions (between 2012 and 2014). Usually, successful uptake of this scheme relies on a strong enterprise service offered to students within the university, to support the development of their application through workshops and one-to-one advisory appointments. There is a significant challenge in international students obtaining this visa. Government restrictions prevent students from market testing and prototyping to develop an appropriate business plan, as they are unable to freelance or be on their student visa. This challenge is reflected in the fact that whilst one university has 20 licences per year, only two endorsements have been given. For many universities it is often difficult to give as many endorsements as licences, as students have not had sufficient opportunity to their business idea prior to submission due to the aforementioned visa restrictions.
AGCAS_response_to_the_MAC_call_for_evidence_on_the_impact_of_international_students_in_the_UK.docx