UK varsities offer skills sought by global employers

Aspiring for a UK degree can be a worthwhile experience despite the strict visa regulations aimed at reducing abuse of the student route, says Dr Prashant RajpalSecuring that sought-after graduate job is a worthwhile aspiration, as a study abroad experience gives you precisely the skills that employers are looking for in a global business environment. These skills include openness to new challenges, curiosity and tolerance towards different values and behaviours. Despite its relatively small geographic size, the UK is a big player on the international stage, in terms of its economy and higher education. Second only to the US in popularity as a study abroad destination, the country has a strong presence with as many as 76 universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2019.However to the dismay of universities, there have been recent reports that the government is considering cutting international student numbers by nearly half in an effort to meet the immigration targets. Foreign students from within the European Union (EU) are concerned that the UK's Brexit decision will leave them stranded. But students from outside the EU have already begun to turn away from the UK and are considering more welcoming countries such as Australia and Canada.VISA RULESIn order to be eligible for short-term study of upto six months according to Home Office Guidance, the student must be accepted on a course with an education provider that holds a Tier IV sponsor license. Students must prove that they have enough money to support themselves without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and pay for their return. Students can enrol full-time leading to a qualification that is at least level VI on the Ofqual register (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England), or part-time leading to a qualification that is at least level VII on the register.To qualify for Tier IV student visa which is based on point system and obtaining CAS (Central Authentication Service which is a single sign-on protocol for the web) from a university approved by UK visa and immigration, students must check universities on Tier IV sponsor list prior to applying. If the student enrols in a course which is shorter than six months, he/she does not need to pay the 'Immigration Health Surcharge' regardless of whether he/she applies for a short-term student visa or Tier IV.However, the student will have limited access to healthcare provision in the UK and may consider arranging private medical insurance before coming to the UK.There has been significant drop in student migration from India which is thought to be related to the new student visa system introduced by the Home Office from 2010 onwards. These changes included new requirements for international students and the institutions hosting them, such as English language competence, restriction to bring dependents for below degree level students, or a highly trusted status license for sponsoring institutions. The number of institutions licensed to sponsor students has continued to decrease over time. As of April 2018, there were 1,236 education providers with licenses to sponsor students from outside the EU. This is roughly half the number (2,370) of institutions on the sponsor register in October 2011.(The author is a consultant neuropsychiatrist working in one of the national health trusts in Cambridge, England).