Richmond welcomes UK Government announcement on international students
The announcement by the UK Government today that international students will be allowed to stay in the UK for two years after graduation, has been warmly welcomed by Richmond, The American International University in London.
This means that instead of the current situation where overseas students must leave the UK four months after finishing a degree, international students who start courses in the UK at undergraduate level or postgraduate level starting from the academic year 2020/21 onwards, will be able to stay in the UK for two years. Many students wish to remain after their studies to seek employment and gain further work experience.
Under the proposals, there is no restriction on the kind of jobs that students must seek and no limit on applications.
President and Vice-Chancellor of Richmond, Professor Lawrence Abeln said, “We’re absolutely delighted by this announcement which will greatly strengthen the positioning of UK universities. As a university with a base in London with a strong offering for international students, we have an excellent reputation globally and the news that international students can stay in the UK for two years after graduation from Richmond opens up a wealth of career opportunities in the world’s top student city. Not only that, but as all of our undergraduates and postgraduates are offered the opportunity to do an internship as part of their programme, they can gain invaluable practical experience in the workplace before they have graduated, providing a great step for a career in the UK.”
UK Government Universities Minister, Chris Skidmore said, “We value the important contribution that international students, including those from the EU, make to our universities and it is a testament to our world-leading higher education system that so many students from abroad choose to come and study here.”
Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, welcomed the decision, saying it would benefit the UK economy and reinstate the UK as a “first choice study destination”.
