INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE OUTCOMES 2019 - WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? Medium term destinations and career outcomes of EU and Non-EU graduates ...
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INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE
OUTCOMES 2019
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
Medium term destinations and career outcomes
of EU and Non-EU graduates from UK UniversitiesCONTENTS 1 FOREWORD PAGE 5-7 2 INTRODUCTION & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE 9-13 3 WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY? PAGE 15-19 4 HOW SATISFIED ARE INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES? PAGE 21-23 5 WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW? PAGE 25-35 6 HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES? PAGE 37-53 7 HOW DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES ENGAGE WITH THE UK? PAGE 55-63 8 ANNEXES PAGE 65-71
FOREWORD
1 FOREWORD
“ THE UK BENEFITS FROM INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES JUST AS MUCH AS GRADUATES “
THEMSELVES BENEFIT FROM THEIR UK DEGREES.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 5FOREWORD
FOREWORD – CHRIS SKIDMORE MP, FOREWORD – VIVIENNE STERN,
MINISTER OF STATE FOR UNIVERSITIES, DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITIES UK INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
The UK government fully recognises the benefits We know that careers and employability are often at
that international students bring to the UK’s higher the forefront of potential students’ minds when they
education sector, both economically and culturally. are making decisions about where to study. In fact,
They bring greater diversity to university and as this study shows, it is one of the top reasons why
college campuses, an international dimension to many of our international graduates chose to study
the experience of all students, stimulate demand for in the UK. For this reason, the UK government’s
courses and add to the UK’s impressive research newly published International Education Strategy
capacity. They can be a great asset for the United focuses on international student employability as
Kingdom for a lifetime after graduation and help to a key theme.
enhance the UK’s soft power, creating links around
the world.
This is why, in the International Education The results in this report are very encouraging, As a sector, we know that employability is help fill this data gap, receiving responses from
Strategy, published in March of this year, showing that a majority of international important. UK universities work hard to 16,000 graduates from 58 UK institutions and
Government set an ambition to increase the students enjoy their time in the UK and credit prepare students for the global jobs market. 189 countries around the world.
numbers of international higher education a UK degree with helping them get to where The style of education offered by UK
students studying in the UK to 600,000 by they are today. This is something that we universities, with its emphasis on self-direction, The results are overwhelmingly positive.
2030, an increase of over 30%. To help achieve should congratulate ourselves for. This report critical thinking, collaboration and problem- Graduates report significant salary and career
this, we have committed in the strategy to will also help to provide valuable insight for based learning, encourages the development progression benefits, and a strong desire to
work with the sector to ensure that students universities, the government and the wider of skills that we know employers demand. The retain professional, personal and business links
have the best possible experience studying in sector to help us all ensure we are continuing case studies in this report illustrate how these with the UK. 82% of respondents say their UK
the UK, from the point they apply for a visa to deliver the best possible experience for features of a UK degree help our graduates degree was worth the financial investment;
through to graduation, whilst working with the international students in the UK. forge successful careers. and 69% said that having a UK degree helped
sector to improve their employment prospects them progress more quickly in their career.
after their degree. Together we can build on this research to Despite all this, though, we have surprisingly Graduates also report an earnings premium
help ensure that international students little in the way of hard data regarding the attached to a UK degree with over half saying
I am therefore delighted to introduce the who graduate from the UK’s world leading career and other outcomes of our international that they believe they earn above average
International Graduate Outcomes report from universities are in the best possible position to alumni. Our two main sources of graduate compared to peers educated elsewhere.
Universities UK international. This report is a go on to further employment, be it in the UK, employability data, the LEO and the DLHE
great example of the Higher Education sector, or their home nation. don’t tell us much about international For the UK to build on this strong record,
and UUK working on its behalf, taking the graduates, especially those who work outside and achieve the Government target to attract
lead and delivering positive action in order to the UK after they graduate. 600,000 international students by 2030, our
support the delivery of the strategy and our universities will continue to work hard to
shared ambitions. Universities UK International (UUKi), improve the support they offer international
supported by the British Universities’ Liaison students to ensure we make good on our
Association (BUILA), commissioned a major promise of a world-class education.
International Graduate Outcomes survey to
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 6 PAGE 7FOREWORD
2 INTRODUCTION
& EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
“ THE UK CONSISTENTLY EMERGES AS ONE
“
OF THE TOP COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SATISFACTION.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 9FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
The value of international students is reflected in the This study is a starting point in enhancing
this evidence base. International Graduate
There are additional contributing factors to
the outcomes of international graduates that
UK government’s International Education strategy, Outcomes 2019 (i-GO), conducted by iGraduate, this data cannot wholly capture, including:
released in March 2019. The strategy sets out the is the first study which specifically explores
the career outcomes of a large sample of
the financial, academic and English language
requirements that students must meet to study
government’s ambition to increase the total number international graduates who studied in the UK. in the UK. Some of the graduates surveyed
would have come from an already advantaged
of international students choosing to study in the UK To gather responses from a significant sample of background – although, while we do not
to 600,000 by 2030. Action 5 of the strategy says 16,199 international graduates, 58 participating know the socioeconomic backgrounds of i-GO
institutions surveyed their international alumni respondents, we do know that only 12% of
that the government will: using iGraduate’s survey tool. them entirely self-funded their studies.
The results presented in this report provide The UK benefits from international graduates
a snapshot of the employability benefits of just as much as graduates themselves benefit
Work with Universities UK International (UUKi) and a UK degree. from their UK degrees and this evidence base
is a starting point to inform how government
the sector to identify and share good practice in how The survey results show that international policy and university strategies can maximize
universities effectively support international students into graduates from UK universities go on to the mutual benefits of international students
employment and further study, both here in the UK and when successful and satisfying careers, and that and graduates.
the majority of them recognise that their
they return to their home nation. We will also work with UK degree is a vehicle for their success.
the sector to enhance the evidence base on international The results also show just how valuable our
graduate outcomes and to monitor the UK’s comparative international graduates are as ambassadors
for the UK.
position with respect to international student recruitment
and the international student experience.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 10 PAGE 11EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
THE INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE OUTCOMES
SURVEY OF 16,199 INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
FROM UK UNIVERSITIES SHOWED THAT:
90% 82%
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES ARE SATISFIED WITH
ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES AND CAREERS.
Over 90% of graduates who studied in the UK
report being satisfied or very satisfied with all
STUDYING IN THE UK IS WORTH
THE INVESTMENT.
82% of international non-EU and EU
graduates say their UK degree was worth
83% 77%
A UK DEGREE HELPS INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES FIND EMPLOYMENT.
83% of i-GO respondents reported that their
qualification helped them get their job.
UK HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPS
GLOBAL LINKS FOR THE UK.
77% of international graduates say they
are more likely to do business with the UK.
aspects of their lives, and 82% of graduates the financial investment. 81% will develop professional links with
who studied in the UK report being satisfied UK organisations. 88% of respondents plan to
or very satisfied with their careers so far. visit the UK for holiday or leisure.
69% 90%
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES FROM THE UK
PROGRESS MORE QUICKLY THAN PEERS
EDUCATED ELSEWHERE.
69% of respondents feel having a UK degree
OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UK
ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR LEARNING
EXPERIENCE AND THE SUPPORT THEY
RECEIVE FROM THEIR UNIVERSITIES.
53% 80%
OF UK GRADUATES EARN ABOVE AVERAGE
COMPARED TO PEERS EDUCATED ELSEWHERE.
Over half (53%) of respondents working in
their home countries believe that they earn
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES BUILD
GLOBAL LINKS FOR UK UNIVERSITIES.
36% of graduates plan on doing further
study in the UK and more than 80% of
meant they could progress more quickly in UK graduates’ satisfaction was on average above average or well above average compared international alumni would recommend
their chosen career. 7% higher than their peers’ satisfaction1 to peers that studied in their home country. studying in the UK. 77% of research
across nine unique career support elements. 86% of EU graduates and 84% of non-EU postgraduates want to collaborate with
graduates felt that they earned average or UK institutions for research purposes
above. Available figures show that the wage after graduating.
premium associated with a UK qualification
was 202% for Chinese graduates, 129%
for Malaysian graduates, 83% for Indian
graduates, and 50% for USA graduates.2
1
I nternational Student Barometer, 2019. The average satisfaction score across the 9 elements was 74% for the UK compared to 67% Local graduate salary data sources: Stutern; China Daily (China); Jobstreet (Malaysia); Payscale (India);
2
globally, with differences in the areas of employment (60% vs 55%), training (80% vs 73%), advice (78% vs 71%), placement (69% The Balance (USA).
vs 62%), and opportunities through employers (79% vs 73%) and alumni (70% vs 64%)
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 12 PAGE 13WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY
3
WHO COMPLETED
THE SURVEY?
OVERALL RESPONDENTS: 16,199
EU RESPONDENTS: 5,547
NON-EU RESPONDENTS: 10,652
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 15WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY
WHO COMPLETED STUDY LEVEL OF NATIONALITY OF
THE SURVEY? i-GO RESPONDENTS RESPONDENTS
The i-GO survey includes 58 universities STUDY LEVEL (EU) STUDY LEVEL (NON-EU) TOP 10 NATIONALITIES BY RESPONSE RATE The balance of respondents to the i-GO
in the UK. These institutions distributed survey by nationality was broadly similar
the survey to EU and non-EU international to that of international students studying
graduates who had completed their studies in the UK. Though the sample included
between January 2011 and July 2016. a wide range of nationalities, the largest
Responses were collected from 16,199 non-EU nationality represented was the
international and EU graduates in total. USA, followed by China4 , India, Nigeria
and Malaysia. According to 2017/18 HESA
The majority of the responses (64%) were data, the aforementioned nationalities were
medium-term graduates, between two and five of the top six non-EU nationalities of
five years post-graduation, and a sizeable students in that academic year.5
proportion (36%) were longer-term graduates
Higher degree, mainly by research
who had completed their studies five to seven Likewise, the list of top EU nationalities
(PhD, DPhil, MPhil, etc.)
years ago. represented in the i-GO survey is
Higher degree, mainly by comparable with actual enrolments in the
The largest respondent group among both taught course (MA, MSc, etc.) UK, with Italy, France, Germany and Greece
non-EU and EU graduates had studied Other diploma or certificate being the top four EU nationalities in terms
at the taught postgraduate (PGT) level. Other qualification of UK enrolment.6
Approximately a quarter of the non-EU
respondents and 37% of EU respondents Postgraduate diploma or certificate
had completed an undergraduate degree (including PGCE)
in the UK. Postgraduate research (PGR) Professional qualification, USA 7% Nigeria 5% France 3%
graduates made up 18% of the EU group and e.g. Accountancy China 6% Greece 4% Romania 1%
16% of the non-EU group. Higher Education Undergraduate degree India 6% Malaysia 4% Other 55%
Statistics Agency (HESA) data from 2016/17 (BA, BSc, etc.)
shows that 33% of non-EU nationalities and Germany 6% Italy 3%
48% of EU nationalities that completed a
qualification in the UK in 2016-17 had studied
at undergraduate level, whereas postgraduate
research graduates made up 8% of the EU
group and 6% of the non-EU group.3
3
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students
4
ote that in the year 17-18, Chinese students made up 33% of the total non-EU student population and that the i-GO sample size is
N
significantly smaller than total numbers of Chinese students studying in the UK in the relevant years.
5
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-from
6
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-from
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 16 PAGE 17WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY
DESTINATIONS OF
RESPONDENTS
RESIDING IN HOME RESIDING IN OTHER
NATIONALITY RESIDING IN UK
COUNTRY COUNTRY
CHINA 73% 14% 13%
FRANCE 33% 39% 28%
GERMANY 55% 26% 20%
GREECE 49% 38% 13%
INDIA 63% 16% 21%
MALAYSIA 81% 10% 9%
NETHERLANDS 45% 31% 25%
NIGERIA 78% 13% 9%
87%
ROMANIA 22% 58% 21%
USA 73% 16% 11%
ALL 59% 24% 17%
Table 1: Destinations of respondents
The relatively high number of graduates who
move to work in a third country highlights OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE
the global opportunities that a UK degree
can unlock. This is supported by the finding
MORE LIKELY TO DO BUSINESS
that 87% of respondents said they were more
likely to do business internationally as a
INTERNATIONALLY AS A RESULT OF
result of their UK degree. THEIR UK DEGREE.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 18 PAGE 19HOW SATISFIED ARE INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
4 HOW SATISFIED
ARE INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES?
“ I LOVED THE [UNIVERSITY] COMMUNITY, MY
FELLOW STUDENTS, THE TRADITIONS, THE HISTORY,
THE CULTURE, AND THE PROXIMITY
TO THE REST OF THE EUROPE. IT WAS ONE “
OF THE HAPPIEST YEARS OF MY LIFE.
MSC, PSYCHOLOGY, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 21HOW SATISFIED ARE INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
HOW SATISFIED ARE
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES?
The UK consistently emerges as one of the top CURRENT INTERNATIONAL i-GO data supports these findings and goes very satisfied with all aspects of their lives.
countries in the world in terms of international STUDENT SATISFACTION7 further, indicating that international graduates Satisfaction was slightly lower for those who
student satisfaction and wellbeing: data from from the UK go on to have high career and had graduated recently – perhaps owing to
90%
the 2018 International Student Barometer life satisfaction. Over 90% of graduates who the uncertainties some face immediately after
indicates that 90% of international students studied in the UK report being satisfied or graduation – but rises over time.
studying in the UK were satisfied or very
satisfied with their overall experience.
Additionally, UK-based international students’
satisfaction with their arrival, learning, living
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
and support experiences at UK universities is
89%
higher than satisfaction among international
students globally. Overall, 93% of international
students studying in the UK responded that 90% 82% 82% 69%
they were happy or very happy with their lives LIFE SATISFACTION CAREER SATISFACTION FEEL THEIR DEGREE FEEL HAVING A UK DEGREE
WAS WORTH THE MEANT THEY COULD
at the time of the survey and 88% said they felt FINANCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRESS MORE QUICKLY
welcome in the UK. IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREER
LIVING EXPERIENCE
90%
WHAT WAS MOST VALUABLE IN YOUR
EXPERIENCE STUDYING IN THE UK?
“ The openness and friendliness 87% OF NON-EU GRADUATES AND 90% OF EU GRADUATES SAY THEY ARE MORE
LIKELY TO DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY BECAUSE OF THEIR UK DEGREE
of the people both at the SUPPORT
88%
university as well as in general, EU STUDENTS 87%
the humour and how welcomed NON-EU STUDENTS 90%
I felt when moving to a new
country. Also, the opportunity FEELING WELCOME
to meet so many interesting
individuals from all around the 85% OF NON-EU GRADUATES AND 84% OF EU GRADUATES FEEL THEY ARE HAPPIER
world. The university is a cocktail THAN PEERS THAT STUDIED IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY
of multicultural ingredients, “ EU STUDENTS 84%
which I grew on personally as NON-EU STUDENTS 85%
well as academically.
BSC, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ANGOLA
7
2018 International Student Barometer (ISB)
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 22 PAGE 23WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
5
WHAT ARE
GRADUATES
DOING NOW?
78% OF NON-EU GRADUATES
AND 83% OF EU GRADUATES ARE
CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN PAID
WORK OR FURTHER STUDY.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 25WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
MAIN ACTIVITIES
MAIN ACTIVITIES OF i-GO RESPONDENTS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY YEAR OF GRADUATION
PAID WORK FOR AN EMPLOYER 67% 5.6%
71%
ENGAGED IN A COURSE OF STUDY 11%
12%
RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS
7%
SELF-EMPLOYMENT/FREELANCE 4%
4%
% UNEMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED & LOOKING FOR WORK 5% 3.4% 3.4%
4% 3.2%
DOING SOMETHING ELSE
3%
2.6% 2.5%
DEVELOPING A CREATIVE, ARTISTIC OR 3%
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO 2%
TAKING TIME OUT TO TRAVEL (NOT 1%
INCLUDE SHORT-TERM HOLIDAYS) 1%
1%
CARING FOR SOMEONE (UNPAID) 1%
VOLUNTARY/UNPAID WORK 2 3 4 5 6 7
1%
FOR AN EMPLOYER 1% YEARS SINCE GRADUATION
Of the non-EU respondents who were The share of respondents that reported they Among i-GO respondents currently domiciled
currently working, 58% were employed were unemployed and looking for work was in the UK, 90% were engaged in paid work or
by a company, organization, or other entity; very low, at under 4%. The rate decreases as further study.
7% were self-employed or freelancing; and the number of years since graduation increases,
8% were running their own business. suggesting that more and more graduates find
A further 11% were engaged in a course jobs with the passage of time.
of study, training or research.
4% of Indian respondents and 2% of Chinese
A similar trend is observable among EU respondents who graduated from 2011 to 2014
graduates: 62% of those who were working reported being unemployed, compared to
were employed by a company, organisation national unemployment rates of around 6%8
or entity; 8% were self-employed or and 5% respectively in those countries.9 8% of
freelancing; and 4% were running their Nigerian respondents were unemployed four
own business. A further 14% were engaged to seven years after graduating, compared to a
in a course of study, training or research. national graduate unemployment rate of 32%.10
8
Indian National Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO) labour force survey (PLFS) via https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy- 10
National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria: https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/856
politics/nsso-report-citing-unemployment-rate-at-45-year-high-not-final-says-niti-aayog/story/315753.html
9
Urban unemployment rate from China National Bureau of Statistics: http://www.chinabankingnews.com/2018/07/04/8-2-
million-graduates-set-enter-jobs-market-unemployment-hits-lowest-level-since-2012/
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 26 PAGE 27WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
INDUSTRIES OF COUNTRY FOCUS:
EMPLOYMENT GERMANY
90% 58% 2.5x
Graduates working outside the UK indicated they were
employed in a variety of industries, from marketing
to mining. However differences are evident according OF GERMAN GRADUATES OF UK SAY THEY EARN ABOVE AVERAGE GERMAN GRADUATES OF UK
INSTITUTIONS EARN NEARLY 2.5
to the level of study the graduate completed. INSTITUTIONS ARE SATISFIED
WITH THEIR CAREERS
COMPARED TO PEERS
TIMES MORE THAN THE GERMAN
AVERAGE GRADUATE SALARY12
TOP 5 INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT
EDUCATION FINANCE COMPUTING/IT HEALTHCARE/ SCIENTIFIC
83% 93% SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY
TO DO BUSINESS/FORM
PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH THE
UK BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCE
SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO
DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY
BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCE
SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Germany is the EU’s largest economy. Its strong Comments from graduates from Germany
OVERALL 18% 8% 7% 6% 5% labour market benefits from a highly skilled highlight the ways in which their UK
EMPLOYMENT workforce that is trained both domestically—at qualification aided them in the labour
the vocational and tertiary levels—and abroad, market: “The study was very practical and
UNDERGRADUATE
EMPLOYMENT
10% 10% 7% 7% N/A including in the UK. Germany is one of the UK's with real world business logic,” says one
top trading partners, highlighting the important MBA graduate now working in Operations
TAUGHT role that German graduates educated in the UK and Finance in Hamburg. As a graduate with
POSTGRADUATE 15% 9% 6% 5% N/A may play in maintaining and growing these links. an MA in librarianship reflected, “Studying
EMPLOYMENT
in the UK made me view things differently,
RESEARCH Germany’s trade in goods and services accounts especially in my career. I now have a strong
POSTGRADUATE 38% N/A N/A N/A 15% for nearly 50% of GDP. UK degrees support ideology that you can achieve whatever
EMPLOYMENT German graduates to contribute to this, both you want to achieve.” “Global insight, self-
through the subjects they study and through the awareness and self-study, and motivation”
N/A indicates that the share of respondents at this level of study working in this area is negligible
soft skills they gain during their UK university were cited as the most valuable aspects of
experience. 93% of German graduates said that the UK education experience by another
Most international graduates return to from India and 5% of graduates from the USA.
their UK degree made them more likely to do graduate with an undergraduate qualification
their home country to work, and there is Likewise, graduates from India were more
business internationally. in banking and international finance.
clear evidence that UK graduates play an likely than graduates from China or the USA
essential role in filling skills shortages in their to work in IT and computing: 15%, 7% and
home countries. For example, international 4%, respectively. This highlights graduates’ UNDERGRADUATE:
BUSINESS STUDIES, ECONOMICS, AND POLITICS
recruitment firm Hays indicates the top role in growing the economies of their home
hard skills sought in China are financial and countries: India’s IT sector is one of the MOST COMMON AREAS OF TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE:
ECONOMICS, BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT STUDIES,
budgetary11, which is reflected in our findings: world’s largest, constituting 7.7% of its GDP
21% of respondents from China indicated they in 2017” and footnote “NASSCOM, the trade
STUDY FOR GERMAN STUDENTS SOCIAL STUDIES, LAW AND FINANCE
were employed in the finance, pensions and association for the IT BPM industry in India. RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE:
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND POLITICS
insurance sector, compared to 6% of graduates
11
https://www.hays.cn/en/press-releases/HAYS_014336 12
https://www.stepstone.de/Ueber-StepStone/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/StepStone_Gehaltsreport_2019_WEB.pdf
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 28 PAGE 29WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
COUNTRY FOCUS: CASE STUDY:
CHINA ELLEN, CHINA
93% 79% 3x
SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO
DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY
BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCES
ARE SATISFIED WITH
THEIR CAREERS
CHINESE RESPONDENTS REPORT
SALARIES THREE TIMES HIGHER
THAT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
GRADUATE SALARY FOR CHINA19
Ellen graduated with an MA in investment management
at Cass Business School. Her first experience with
UK higher education came while a senior at Renmin
University in Beijing, where she did a semester
exchange in Edinburgh. She says she chose the UK
78% 2% SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY
TO DO BUSINESS/FORM
PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH THE
UK BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCES
OF CHINESE RESPONDENTS
WERE UNEMPLOYED 4-7 YEARS
AFTER GRADUATING, COMPARED
TO A NATIONAL URBAN
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 5%.16
for postgraduate study “to broaden my horizons”,
particularly in her chosen field of finance and
investment. For postgraduate study, she decided to
exchange one capital city for another and move to
London. The UK was “the perfect place to study,” she
China’s economy is the world’s second largest, of Chinese parents would consider sending says, because of the practical component to education
having grown its GDP by an average of 10% their children abroad for their education, and that would be harder to get as a domestic student in
annually from 1978 to 2005. It continues to the backgrounds of these potential students
expand: GDP is forecast to grow 6% from March are becoming more diverse. The proportion
China. It was also attractive to be able to complete a
2019 to March 202013. The Chinese Ministry of of Chinese graduates returning home after Master’s level qualification in one year.
Human Resources and Social Security noted
studying abroad has risen from 55% in 2011
that skilled workers account for less than one-
fifth of the entire workforce, and the demand
to close to 80% in 2014—a 132%17 increase. Ellen now works for a security company in Ellen emphasizes that many top financial
for highly skilled labour increasingly exceeds i-GO data supports this finding, showing China, in sales trading. It is her third job in institutions in China are competing for the
supply.14 As China moves up the value chain that graduates are drawn by employment this field, and each new role has been a level most qualified students, whether international
from a manufacturing economy to a provider of opportunities in China. higher than the last. She feels her experience or from the top Chinese universities.
high-tech, information, and knowledge services, in the UK has helped her career significantly
it needs to expand its human capital. Tertiary The most common study area for Chinese in a number of ways, particularly because
education is one of the key levers to do so. graduates of UK institutions is business and the variety of courses allowed her to choose SOME SECTORS IN CHINA, SHE SAYS,
administrative studies, according to HESA data. WOULD FAVOUR AN INTERNATIONAL
which specialisation to pursue, and being GRADUATE FOR BEING ‘EQUIPPED WITH
Outbound student mobility in China is at an This is similar to the main study areas of Chinese near the financial centre in the City gave her MORE INTERNATIONAL SKILLS’.
all-time high, both worldwide and in the UK. respondents to the i-GO survey: 13% studied “access to professional insights.”
There were more than 90,000 students from
finance, 11% studied management studies and
China studying at tertiary level in the UK in 2016,
8% studied marketing. These study areas address SHE NOTED THAT SOME PROFESSORS AND
making it the top sender of international students
the skills shortages in China: a JP Morgan report TEACHERS WERE INDUSTRY EXPERTS WHO
in the UK.15 Chinese student numbers in the UK
notes that service industries dealing with IT, PROVIDED “INSIGHT INTO THE REALITY
have increased more than 14% since 2012-13.
software, accounting, finance, marketing and OF THESE CAREERS.”
Student mobility is likely to grow: data from customer management are expected to grow and
the China Family Panel Survey indicates 20% absorb a substantial number of professionals.18
13
https://tradingeconomics.com/china/gdp-growth-annual 17
http://monitor.icef.com/2018/02/increasing-numbers-chinese-graduates-returning-home-overseas/
14
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20170801064540606 18
https://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/Corporate-Responsibility/document/skillsgap-in-chineselabor-market-exec-
15
http://uis.unesco.org/en/uis-student-flow summary.pdf
China National Bureau of Statistics: http://www.chinabankingnews.com/2018/07/04/8-2-million-graduates-set-enter-jobs-
16 19
Local graduate salary data source: China Daily. Methodology in Annexe 5
market-unemployment-hits-lowest-level-since-2012/
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 30 PAGE 31WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The more time that had passed since This trend is especially evident among THE UK HAS TAKEN SIGNIFICANT STEPS TO
graduation, the more likely respondents respondents currently residing in their ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND CONTENT OF
were to indicate they were self-employed or home countries: almost one-fifth of ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EDUCATION, AND
had set up their own business: 7% of 2016 respondents who graduated in 2011 were EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS ARE EMBEDDED
graduates were self-employed compared to self-employed or running their own WITHIN CURRICULA.
10% of 2011 graduates. This indicates that business in their home countries.
respondents may be more likely to launch Organisations such as the sector-led
their own enterprise after gaining some years National Centre for Entrepreneurship
of experience after graduation. in Education (NCEE) exist to support the
UK higher education sector.
FROM SUMMER 2019, GRADUATES WILL BE
ABLE TO APPLY FOR A TIER 1 START-UP VISA
IF THEY WISH TO START A BUSINESS IN THE
SELF-EMPLOYMENT BY YEAR OF GRADUATION UK AFTER GRADUATING.
% SELF EMPLOYED/RUNNING OWN BUSINESS
19% This will provide further opportunities for
graduates to develop their entrepreneurial skills
16% in the UK and open up a career in business.
15%
14%
14% 14% It may be of significant value to undertake
further research on the role and impact
that coordinated approaches to developing
entrepreneurship skills of international
students could play in securing enhanced
longer-term outcomes – both in terms of
economic outcomes for the individual,
but also the wider contribution to addressing
(for example) UN Sustainable Development
2 3 4 5 6 7 Goals and economic development.
YEARS SINCE GRADUATION
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 32 PAGE 33WHAT ARE GRADUATES DOING NOW
COUNTRY FOCUS: CASE STUDY:
INDIA SOHAM GEHANI, INDIA
80% 2x 20%
SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO
DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY
BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCE
INDIAN GRADUATES OF UK
INSTITUTIONS EARN ALMOST
TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
GRADUATE SALARY
ONE-FIFTH OF INDIAN
RESPONDENTS AND 23% OF
RESPONDENTS WORKING IN
INDIA WERE SELF-EMPLOYED
Soham graduated from the University of Nottingham
in 2013 with a BA and an ACA (Association of
65% 4%
ENTREPRENEURS COMPARED
TO AN AVERAGE OF 8%
OF ALL RESPONDENTS
Chartered Accountants) qualification in finance,
accounting and management. One of his dreams
is to grow the trade company he started while at
SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY
TO DO BUSINESS/FORM
OF INDIAN RESPONDENTS WERE
UNEMPLOYED 4-7 YEARS AFTER Nottingham. Soham is currently gaining valuable
PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH THE GRADUATING, COMPARED TO A
UK BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCE
NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
IN INDIA OF MORE THAN 6%
career experience as a corporate finance manager
at a company in the UK; however, he hopes to
51% 82%
SAY THEY EARN ABOVE AVERAGE
COMPARED TO PEERS
ARE SATISFIED WITH
THEIR CAREERS
return to his business in the future and pursue
it full-time. His inspiration for starting his own
company came from his family, who are supportive
of entrepreneurship.
One-fifth of Indian respondents and 23% International students from India wishing to Soham’s main reasons for choosing the
of respondents working in India were self- run their own business may be particularly UK for studying abroad were the country’s
employed entrepreneurs. Self-employment in drawn to the UK as a place of study. Soham high-quality educational institutions, relative
India is present to an even greater degree in Gehani, an Indian national who completed proximity to his home country and English
the general population. International Labour his undergraduate degree in finance at the language provision. Studying in the UK
Organisation (ILO) data shows 79% of workers University of Nottingham in 2013, notes that
helped him develop skills useful in his career,
in India report being self-employed. This the UK education system appealed to him
includes workers of all levels of education because of its strong emphasis on independent
such as taking ownership of tasks.
completion and so includes the great number study and time management—skills which
of agricultural workers who are self-employed. sharpened his ability to run the trade company Soham notes that this compares favourably to
In India, 49% of the workforce was employed he founded. Other Indian respondents noted education in India, where he feels students are
in the agricultural sector in 2011/12. that the UK provided an ideal atmosphere to sometimes “spoon-fed” in school.
gain the skills and networks required to pursue
i-GO data reveals that UK graduates running their career goals. An MBA graduate currently
their own businesses in India often focus on considering setting up a business in India
growing industries including IT, marketing, reflected that “The teaching was empirically-
trade and services. The subject areas most based, the lectures were very interactive and,
studied by Indian students in the UK— most of all, the MBA program facilitated the
business studies and STEM—foster skills opportunity to interact with a diverse cohort
both in entrepreneurship and in rapidly of students from all parts of the world.”
expanding industries.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 34 PAGE 35HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
6
HOW HAS A
UK DEGREE
BENEFITTED
INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES?
RESPONDENTS REPORT HIGH SATISFACTION
WITH THEIR SUPPORT EXPERIENCE: 80% WERE
SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED WITH SUPPORT
PROVIDED DURING THEIR TIME IN THE UK.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 37HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
UNIVERSITY BUILDING
SUPPORT NETWORKS:
Respondents report high satisfaction with their
support experience: 80% were satisfied or very HOW INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES FROM UK UNIVERSITIES FOUND JOBS
satisfied with support provided during their
time in the UK. PERSONAL CONTACTS 37%
A closer look at the data reveals that university EMPLOYER’S WEBSITE 12%
support often leads to career opportunities for
international graduates, particularly by helping
RECRUITMENT WEBSITE 10%
students to develop personal networks.
RECRUITMENT AGENCY 5%
SPECULATIVE APPLICATION 5%
UNIVERSITY CAREERS SERVICE 2%
ADVERTISEMENT 2%
RETURNING TO/CONTINUING IN JOBS 13%
THEY HAD PRIOR TO THEIR STUDIES
80%
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT 37% of respondents indicated they had found
YOUR CURRENT JOB? their job though personal contacts, including
networking. For graduates from Nigeria, 49% of
“
“
I MET ONE OF THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENT AT
[MY UNIVERSITY] AND KEPT IN CONTACT WITH
employed graduates had found work this way,
compared to 44% of graduates from China, 42%
HER DURING MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT. of graduates from India, and 37% of graduates
MSC OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, VIETNAM from both the USA and Malaysia.
“
WHEN I DID THE RESEARCH FOR MY A look at comments from respondents reveals
DISSERTATION I MET MY CURRENT BOSS AND that ‘personal contacts’ are often made while
CATCH UP. THIS HAS ENDED UP WITH ME
“
ON A TRIP TO LONDON HE CONTACTED [ME] TO at university. In fact, comments show that
universities play an integral role in helping
students to develop the networks that lead to
COMING BACK HOME AND GETTING THE JOB.
WERE SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED MSC INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
career opportunities.
WITH SUPPORT PROVIDED DURING AND FINANCE, INDIA
THEIR TIME IN THE UK.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 38 PAGE 39HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
BUILDING CASE STUDY:
NETWORKS: ANAÏS, FRANCE
WHAT WAS MOST VALUABLE IN YOUR Anaïs studied in Scotland, graduating in 2012
EXPERIENCE STUDYING IN THE UK? with a higher degree in Economics. The decision
to study in the United Kingdom stemmed from
“
her interest in the English culture and her desire
“
Firstly, the people I met—friends for life. The people I met and the
“ to practice the local language in situ, as well as
“
Secondly, all the parallel events around the
university that make it very easy to network with
access to a lot of wonderful
art and design companies
the reputation of UK universities and the quality
of the courses provided.
other students and potential employers. and institutions.
MA GRAPHIC DESIGN, CHINA Anaïs had previously studied in Taiwan and her
MSC OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, VIETNAM
international background helped her to settle
down more quickly in Scotland. She is confident
that she made the right decision in enrolling at
the University of Strathclyde.
“
WHILE A STUDENT, THE UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDED
The connection with graduate employers SHE APPLY FOR A UK GOVERNMENT TRAINING
“
and related events/ facilities available,
e.g. recruitment days, career centre.
PROGRAM CALLED “FAST STREAM”.
Very, very useful. She successfully took part in this project, and
MA INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS & MANAGING was subsequently recruited by the Department
HUMAN RESOURCES, THAILAND of Health as an economic adviser, where she led
and delivered an analysis of the capital budget.
Since graduating, Anaïs’s career has progressed
rapidly. She is now Head of Management
Information Policy, keeping management
“
“
The education is world class and the focus
on research and independent learning
information and data analytics at the heart of
government decision-making.
proved invaluable in the workplace.
LOOKING BACK, THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING AN
BENG CIVIL ENGINEERING, GERMANY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, IN AN INTERNATIONAL
ENVIRONMENT, HELPED ANAÏS ESTABLISH A
RICH NETWORK WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT. SHE
NOTES THAT HER CAREER HAS BEEN PERFECTLY
SUPPORTED BY HER STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY.
“
I liked my course in particular because it was very well linked
“
to the industry and the professors did everything in their power
to help us find jobs in the industry. My education was actually
relevant to the jobs I have had since graduating.
MSC COMPUTER GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT, POLAND
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 40 PAGE 41HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
THE IMPORTANCE OF A
UK DEGREE TO EMPLOYERS
81%
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF UK GRADUATES’ EDUCATION TO THEIR EMPLOYERS
MALAYSIA (209) 25% 6% 31% 38%
CHINA (133) 24% 12% 30% 34%
NIGERIA (70) 26% 4% 34% 36%
OF GRADUATES SAID THEY WOULDN’T HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO GET THEIR JOB WITHOUT THEIR INDIA (70) 29% 9% 30% 33%
DEGREE. ALMOST 1 IN 4 INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES IN WORK SAID THAT HAVING A USA (68) 7% 7% 62% 24%
QUALIFICATION FROM THE UK WAS THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING TO THEIR EMPLOYER. ALL (2,343) 24% 7% 32% 37%
A qualification from a university/college in the UK The level of study (e.g. Undergraduate, Postgraduate, etc)
A qualification from this university/college The subject(s) studied
Figure 7: Importance to employer (UG employed only)
WHAT WAS MOST VALUABLE ASPECT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE UK?
“ “
A UK QUALIFICATION IS RECOGNISED LIVING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AFFORDS ONE
Many i-GO respondents believe that having a The figure on the next page shows data for GLOBALLY. I CAN GO ANYWHERE IN THE A MORE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. MY FIELD OF
degree from the UK was the most important
thing to their employers: more important than
undergraduate respondents only. This is
because the level of study is much more
WORLD AND PRESENT MY QUALIFICATION
AND TO AN EXTENT OPEN THE DOOR OF
“ WORK IS VERY DIVERSE, AND I’VE FOUND THAT
I CAN CONNECT WELL WITH INTERNATIONAL “
the particular university, the level of study or important for postgraduate students: 33% of OPPORTUNITY FOR MYSELF. COLLEAGUES BECAUSE OF MY TIME SPENT
the subject(s) studied. For Indian respondents, taught postgraduate respondents and 41% of LIVING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
having studied in the UK was considered to be postgraduate research students said that the BA, LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE,
the most important aspect of their education to level of study was the most important thing NIGERIA PHD, MUSIC STUDIES, USA
their employer by almost a third of graduates. to their employer.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 42 PAGE 43HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
FINANCIAL GAINS:
THE SALARY BENEFITS OF A UK DEGREE
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES’ SALARY BY YEARS SINCE GRADUATION
ANNUAL SALARY BY QUALIFICATION LEVEL:
50,000
43,419
45,000 42,001
38,203 38,855
40,000 37,301
Graduates enjoy steady career
AVERAGE IN GBP
35,000 31,716
30,000 34,587
36,091 progression. Pay increased
32,238
25,000 27,843
30,670 continually with the number
20,000
25,592 of years since graduation, with
15,000 2016 graduates earning an
10,000 average of £27,835 per annum
5,000 and 2011 graduates earning an
0 average of £38,692 per annum.
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE
£30,094 (TAUGHT) (RESEARCH) GRADUATION YEAR EU NON-EU ALL
£31,619 £43,430 Figure 8: Annual pay by graduation year
There are clear salary benefits for graduates from
UK universities. The average salary of all survey 50
% OF EMPLOYED RESPONDENTS
respondents working full-time is £43,430 for research 45
40%
44% Not only does salary increase
postgraduates, £31,619 for taught postgraduates, 40 over time: so, too, does the
34%
35 32% number of graduates that
and £30,094 for undergraduates. 30 believe they earn above
25 average, indicating a faster-
20 than-average salary progression
15 15% for international students who
13%
10 10% 7% studied in the UK. This points
5 3% 2% to an advantage in the labour
0 market that increases over time
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
for UK graduates.
GRADUATION YEAR
WELL BELOW AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE AVERAGE
ABOVE AVERAGE WELL ABOVE AVERAGE
Figure 9: Income relative to perceived national average by graduation year
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 44 PAGE 45HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
FINANCIAL GAINS CASE STUDY:
NATHAN, USA
PERCENT OF GRADUATES REPORTING THEY Nathan studied at the University of St Andrews,
EARN ABOVE OR WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGE graduating in 2015 with a BSc in computer
OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY ARE WORKING.
science. As a student in the UK, he relished
the international atmosphere, the close-knit
community, and the academic rigor, which
stressed independence and in-depth focus on the
subject area. Nathan developed friendships with
students from Scotland and around the world.
He took advantage of the outdoor lifestyle that
St Andrews offered, becoming a regular hiker and
visiting various parts of the country. He visited
other parts of Europe, becoming well acquainted
with the EasyJet and Ryanair flight schedules.
Since graduating, Nathan’s education in the UK, where
career has progressed rapidly. students are encouraged to take
Having interned at Comcast, charge of their learning and
a US cable company, in manage their time and goals
the summer during his effectively, as a crucial element
undergraduate years, he of his career success.
accepted a full-time offer
during his senior year as a In his opinion, a UK degree
network/ systems engineer. has aided his trajectory, by
EU: 51% Differences in relative income among After several years, he moved instilling both hard knowledge
NON-EU: 51% nationalities are partly a reflection of the top to Seattle, Washington, to and cultural competencies.
GERMANY: 58% industries of employment and subjects studied: work in Amazon’s web services He works with teams from
CHINA: 56% Chinese graduates most often work in finance, department as a systems around the world, so being able
FRANCE: 52% which is more lucrative than average. Likewise, development engineer. In 2018, to communicate effectively
GREECE: 51% at postgraduate level the most common subject an offer from Netflix took his with people from a variety of
studied by Indian students is management, career to the next level. He is backgrounds is an essential
INDIA: 51%
which is also associated with higher-than- now Senior CDN reliability skill. The experience of being
average salaries. The sectors with the highest engineer at Netflix, working an international student in
average salaries were management/ consulting/ on the Open Connect CDN an international environment
public relations (£51,000), followed by finance/ Reliability/SRE team. Nathan required him to exercise this
pensions/ insurance (£41,000) and computing/ attributes the approach to skill every day.
IT (£40,000).
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 46 PAGE 47HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
COMPARISON WITH CASE STUDY:
LOCAL SALARIES YUANNY YAP, MALAYSIA
UK GRADUATES WORKING IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES Yuanny’s father studied engineering in the north
EARN SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THE AVERAGE of England and he was keen for her to follow
GRADUATE SALARIES FOR THOSE COUNTRIES:20 in his footsteps. She studied at the University
of Leeds for the last two years of her Civil
Engineering degree; the first two years were at
INTI University in Nilai, Malaysia, which has
partnership arrangements with a number of UK
universities including Reading, Southampton,
Sussex and Leeds.
NIGERIAN RESPONDENTS EARN MALAYSIAN RESPONDENTS EARN AMERICAN RESPONDENTS EARN INDIAN RESPONDENTS EARN CHINESE RESPONDENTS EARN
722% MORE 129% MORE 50% MORE 83% MORE 202% MORE ONE OF THE BEST ASPECTS OF HER EXPERIENCE
WAS THE TEACHING STYLE IN THE UK. IT WAS
Salaries reported by i-GO respondents working i-GO data indicates international graduates NOTICEABLE HOW TEACHERS IN THE UK SPENT
in their home countries were higher than the from UK universities earn more than the general MORE TIME WITH STUDENTS AND WERE PREPARED
average graduate salaries for those countries, population of graduates in their home countries TO BOOK APPOINTMENTS AND INTERACT WITH THEM.
as well as being higher than overall national at all levels of study.
average salaries, according to available data. She was also happy with the opportunity to
work part-time at a local Chinese restaurant,
UK GRADUATE SALARY % VARIANCE TO NATIONAL % VARIANCE TO NATIONAL
COUNTRY (LOCAL CURRENCY) AVERAGE SALARY AVERAGE GRADUATE SALARY which not only provided money to support her
studies, but allowed her to gain work experience
USA (515) 73,629 USD +56% +50% and learn Mandarin. Her main challenge
was becoming accustomed to the distinctive
CHINA (455) 196,463 CNY +30% +202% Yorkshire accent!
MALAYSIA (336) 60,517 MYR +53% +129%
Upon return to Kuala Lumpur in 2016, Yuanny SHE BELIEVES HER UK EDUCATION WAS VERY
NIGERIA (317) 3,453,824 NGN +4,547% +722% HELPFUL IN SECURING A JOB: IT IS A COMMONLY
quickly found an excellent job at a local
INDIA (242) 1,054,489 INR +74% +83% engineering company. HELD VIEW THAT ENGINEERING FIRMS PREFER
OVERSEAS GRADUATES, ESPECIALLY FROM THE
Table 2: Graduates' (from UK Institutions) average salaries, relative to local averages21 UK AND AUSTRALIA, THESE GRADUATES OFTEN
HAVE BETTER ENGLISH AND INTERACT WELL WITH
It must be noted that sources of local graduate Comparing i-GO respondent salary data with DIFFERENT CULTURES, AND ARE THEREFORE ABLE
salary data are sparse. The methodologies used national salary data indicates that even in the TO SERVE A WIDER RANGE OF CLIENTS.
to gather local graduate salary data varied among early stages of their careers, UK graduates enjoy
sources, making true comparison difficult. The significantly higher salaries than average for This translates to being able to command a
methodology of i-GO local salary comparisons is their home countries. By contrast, the average higher salary. Yuanny has no regrets about
in annex 5. graduate salary in India, Malaysia and China choosing the UK and has maintained close ties
appears to be lower than the average salary for to the country and her university—in 2018 she
National salary data was sourced from the general population, which could indicate revisited for a dream holiday in Scotland and
government statistical databases and can be that local graduates in those countries do not keeps in touch with her fellow Leeds alumni.
assumed to be reliable. National salaries show immediately enjoy the same graduate premium
average salaries for people at all stages of their as those who studied in the UK.
career and all levels of educational attainment.22
20
Local graduate salary data sources: Stutern (Nigeria); China Daily (China); Jobstreet (Malaysia); Payscale (India); The Balance (USA).
21
i -GO salary data was self-reported by respondent. The top and bottom 5% were removed. Only those in full time employment included.
22
National salary data sources: The National Bureau of Statistics of China; India Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
India; Department of Statistics Malaysia; National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria; United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 48 PAGE 49HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
CONTRIBUTION TO COUNTRY FOCUS:
HOME COUNTRY NIGERIA
International students who studied in the UK
feel their university experience enabled them
to actively contribute to global challenges in
their home countries.
“
66% 65% 64%
FELT THEY WERE BETTER
EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS ISSUES
OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
AND SOCIETY
STUDYING IN THE UK WAS AN EYE-OPENING
EXPERIENCE. APART FROM THE STUDIES,
“
I LEARNED A LOT FROM THE CULTURAL
FELT THEY WERE BETTER EQUIPPED
TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF HUMAN
RIGHTS, GOOD GOVERNANCE,
AND SOCIETAL JUSTICE
“
FELT THEY WERE BETTER
EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS ISSUES
OF EQUITABLE ACCESS TO
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
STUDYING IN THE UK HAS BROADENED MY
VIEWS ABOUT EDUCATION AND SOCIAL VALUE.
I EXPERIENCED A MORE INTERNATIONAL
89%
SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO
DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY
BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY
EXPERIENCE.
Although it is the largest economy in
DIFFERENCES AND FROM THE KINDNESS ENVIRONMENT AND EXPANDED MY 13% OF GRADUATES ARE SELF-EMPLOYED
sub-Saharan Africa, the Nigerian economy
OF UK CITIZENS. NETWORKS. IT TAUGHT ME MORE ABOUT
8% OF NIGERIAN RESPONDENTS WERE relies heavily on the oil and gas sector and has
BA, BANKING AND FINANCE, CYPRUS RESPECT, INDEPENDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY struggled to diversify into other sectors. Income
AND CONFIDENCE. THIS IS THE MOST UNEMPLOYED 4-7 YEARS AFTER GRADUATING,
inequality is prevalent, and there are more
VALUABLE THING TO MOVE MY FUTURE
FORWARD, AND THOSE VALUES HAVE BEEN
“ COMPARED TO A NATIONAL GRADUATE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 32%23 people living in extreme poverty than in any
“
“
RESPECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS WHAT
I VALUE MOST FROM MY EXPERIENCES
RECOGNIZED BY MY EMPLOYER.
73% ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR CAREERS
other country in the world.24
IN THE UK. MBA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
BSC, DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, MOZAMBIQUE NIGERIAN GRADUATES OF UK INSTITUTIONS
EARN 8.2X MORE THAN LOCAL GRADUATES
78% SAY THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO
BUSINESS/FORM PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH
THE UK BECAUSE OF THEIR STUDY EXPERIENCE
23
National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria: https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/856
24
https://qz.com/africa/1313380/nigerias-has-the-highest-rate-of-extreme-poverty-globally/
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 50 PAGE 51HOW HAS A UK DEGREE BENEFITTED INTERNAL GRADUATES?
COUNTRY FOCUS:
NIGERIA
Graduates from Nigeria have helped Graduates from Nigeria educated in the UK PERCENT OF GRADUATES WHO FEEL THEIR UK
contribute to equality and development in their return home with the skills, knowledge and UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE ENABLED THEM TO
country and are crucial to Nigeria’s economic motivation to contribute both directly and ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO:
and social development. The United Nations indirectly to the nation's development goals
Sustainable Development Goal’s (SDGs) have and wider SDG targets. Four of the top five
been developed to help end poverty, protect sectors of employment of Nigerian graduates EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE
the planet and ensure equality, peace and working in Nigeria relate to addressing the DEVELOPMENT
50% 49% 44% 44%
prosperity across the globe. While Nigeria has challenges identified by the UN: Education
made progress in the past decade, the UN has (21%), Law (10%), Healthcare/Social Work
noted that one of nation's primary challenges (10%), and Computing/IT (7%).
to affecting change is technology transfer and
capacity building, particularly concerning data, CHINA NIGERIA PAKISTAN MALAYSIA
information and performance management.
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
NEARLY 50% OF GRADUATES FROM NIGERIA
50% 47% 42% 42%
FELT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE UK ENABLED
THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO NIGERIA’S
DEVELOPMENT ‘A LOT’ OR ‘QUITE A LOT’.
CHINA NIGERIA PAKISTAN MALAYSIA
50% FELT BETTER ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE
TO EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT AND 47% FELT BETTER ABLE HUMAN RIGHTS, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY SOCIAL JUSTICE
45% 47% 50% 46%
AND SOCIETY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, GOOD
GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Qualitative results indicate the UK’s open
environment helped some graduates by CHINA NIGERIA PAKISTAN MALAYSIA
broadening their worldview and supporting
personal growth. “Being able to study in an
environment that allowed me to express my
Many graduates reported their UK university
thoughts without fear or shame” was the most
experience enabled them to actively contribute
valuable aspect to the study experience, says a
to global challenges in their home countries. The
graduate from Nigeria with a UK qualification
nationalities noted in this infographic represent
in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology (MA). A
among the largest non-EU international student
graduate with an MA in Medical Technology cited
groups in the UK. This gives a sense of the
the “inclusiveness, organisation, and opportunity
magnitude of the impact of a UK education
to learn how to be open minded by living in
in empowering graduates to tackle challenges
another country” as the best part of her experience. around the world.
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO? WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
PAGE 52 PAGE 53HOW DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES ENGAGE WITH THE UK?
7 HOW DO
INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATES
ENGAGE WITH
THE UK?
The UK produces graduates with a global
outlook—87% of graduates said they were more
likely to do business internationally. Furthermore,
those graduates are more likely to engage with
the UK in the future. In other words, UK higher
education is producing global ambassadors for
the country.
“ I REALLY LIKED THE NETWORK I MANAGED
TO BUILD... IT WAS VERY INTERNATIONAL “
WHICH WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED.
INDIA, PGT, NOW WORKING IN CANADA
WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES DO?
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