The UK is home to over 600,000 international students. And this spells good news for employers interested in recruiting international graduates from this growing talent pool. International graduates don’t only bring a wealth of skills and cultural expertise to the table, they can play an integral role in building a diverse and inclusive company culture.
This guide covers everything you need to know about international graduate recruitment in the UK. Whether you’re a SME or a large enterprise, we walk you through how to recruit international graduate students and the pitfalls to avoid.
Benefits Of Recruiting International Graduates
International students in the UK come from all corners of the planet. However, a considerable number hail from the EU, the US, China, and India. Needless to say, these countries are key trading partners for the UK. As a result, recruiting international graduates from these places, in particular, could prove extremely beneficial for your organisation.
As well as speaking the local language, international graduates have deep knowledge and cultural insight into their home countries. This can translate into business success by helping you expand into new markets and grow your exports.
What’s more, many international graduates hold high-level postgraduate qualifications, making them pivotal in filling the growing skill gap the UK is facing. Some of the biggest skill gaps lie in the fields of STEM and IT, making international graduates from these disciplines highly sought after.
One of the biggest benefits of employing international graduates is the effect of diversity on your business. Countless studies have shown that diverse workforces enjoy a number of advantages, including enhanced innovation, better decision-making, and boosted performance. In addition, an increasing number of consumers cite diversity as a key factor when choosing which brands to support. As such, organisations that actively avoid discrimination in their hiring practices may enjoy higher brand appeal.
What Hiring Options Are Available For Recruiting International Graduates?
Based on the latest guidance from the UK government, employers have several hiring options.
We break down two of the most pertinent options available for organisations that want to employ international graduates in the UK.
Please note: These regulations also apply to EU nationals (unless they have successfully obtained settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme).
1. Hire international applicants under the Graduate route
The Graduate route permits international graduates to stay in the UK for two years (three for Ph.D. graduates) after graduating to look for employment. There are no restrictions or regulations on the salary threshold or minimum skill level. Therefore, employers can employ international graduates for two or three years without having to sponsor them.
This option also means that as an employer, you don’t have to pay any sponsorship or additional admin fees. Essentially, it’s a great way to trial an international graduate before committing to sponsoring them.
Another perk with the Graduate Route is that employers can opt to extend it by switching to the Skilled Worker route. This is possible provided the job role meets the necessary requirements, and the employer is willing to become a sponsor.
Considering the cost of recruiting and retraining new employees, many organisations choose to go down this route. It’s flexible and accessible for smaller organisations with limited budget or that don’t have a licence to sponsor Skilled Workers.
2. Hire international graduates under the Skilled Worker route
The second option for employers is to recruit international graduates under the Skilled Worker route. This is better suited for long-term hires due to the additional criteria. Previously known as the Tier 2 visa, the Skilled Worker visa is a new and more flexible version.
With this visa, employers can sponsor a much wider range of job roles, provided candidates have a minimum skill level of REQ (equivalent to A-level). What’s more, there is no time limit on how long companies can employ international recruits under the Skilled Worker visa. Nor is there a cooling-off period between visas. All of this makes it easier for employers to set out hiring contingency plans.
Another big change from the Tier 2 system is the removal of the cap on numbers and the Resident Labour Market Test. This has cut the time taken to sponsor a Skilled Worker by as much as 8 weeks.
While there is still a minimum salary commitment with this visa type, it has been lowered. Since the UK government has extended the reduced “new entrant” rate to 4 years, recruiting international graduates is much more affordable.
Recruiting International Graduates: FAQs
We break down some of the most common questions about international graduate recruitment.
How does the points system for Skilled Worker visas work?
Under the Skilled Worker visa, the international graduate must score a total of 70 points. Here’s how the point system works.
The following 50 points are untradeable:
- 20 points if the employment offer comes from an approved sponsor
- 20 points if the job is one of the eligible occupations listed in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations
- 10 points if the candidate has a B1 or higher level of English (they need to prove this to study in the UK, so additional testing isn’t required)
On top of these 50 points, candidates must score at least another 20 points from the tradable criteria. One of these criteria is that the graduate is a “new entrant” to the job market.
What salary do I need to offer new entrants?
New entrants are graduates that have switched from the Student or Graduate route to the Skilled Worker employment route. This also included international graduates under the age of 26 or those that are applying less than 2 years after their Graduate route visa expired.
According to the Skilled Worker visa, employers must offer new entrants a minimum salary commitment of £20,480 or £10.10 per hour. Additionally, the salary must be at least 70% of the going rate for the job role (the current going rates are laid out in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations).
Is it illegal to discriminate against international graduates?
Yes, UK law forbids discrimination against international candidates. Even though UK law states that employers can only hire candidates with the right to work in the UK, it’s illegal to reject a candidate based on their nationality. While there are a few exceptions to this (national security roles, for instance), rejecting an application because the candidate needs a visa is considered discrimination.
There are a couple of measures you can take to ensure your organisation practices fair and non-discriminatory recruitment:
Instead of statements like this: “all applicants must have permission to work.” Try something like “the successful candidate must obtain permission to work in the UK by the start of their employment.” This is a much more inclusive way to communicate your requirements.
This is a much more inclusive way to communicate your requirements.
Another way to avoid discriminatory behaviour is to consider when you ask candidates to prove their permission to work. We suggest moving this question to the end of the hiring process. This removes any potential bias and ensures you are making recruitment decisions based on ability and not nationality.
How do I apply for a sponsorship licence?
Following Brexit, EU citizens are included under the new points-based immigration system. This has resulted in a rise in employers obtaining a licence.
If your organisation wants to take out a licence, you can apply online, following the government guidelines on how to become a sponsor.
How much does it cost to obtain a sponsorship licence?
The cost of the licence varies depending on the size of your organisation. For example, small or charitable sponsors pay £536, and this rises to £1,476 for medium to large organisations. Employers must renew the licence needs every four years.
How long is the application process for a sponsorship licence?
According to the UK government, 80% of applications are processed in under 8 weeks. Employers can also opt to pay £500 to have a resolution to their application within 10 working days.
How We Can Help You Attract International Graduates
Our experts at Developing a Student can support you in building a diverse graduate workforce and recruiting international graduates.
Here are just some of the services we offer:
- Advice and support – Our website is packed with guides for employers, including advice on attracting graduates and building a diverse work environment. Find the latest industry insights on our weekly blog.
- Attract graduate talent – Get in touch to advertise your roles on our dedicated graduate jobs board.
- Find international graduate talent – Our job advert inclusivity screening tests your ad against our “Inclusive Language Check-List” to remove potentially discriminatory language
- Advertise your business – Our talented team of writers work with you to create a company profile that documents your efforts as a top graduate employer
Call 03458724501 or email info@developingastudent.com to learn more about our bespoke packages.
