Amplifying the voices of international graduates
How the Graduate Outcomes survey helps UKCISA to advocate for a positive student experience in the UK
2 December 2024
Anne Marie Graham, chief executive of UKCISA
The UK Council for International Student Affairs, or UKCISA as we are commonly known, has been supporting international students studying in the UK since 1968. We are accredited by the UK Government to give independent, confidential advice on immigration and fee status to current and prospective international students, but our work goes far beyond immigration rules and guidance. Uniquely, we look at the whole international student journey, and advocate for positive policy change to ensure that those that choose to study in the UK have the best possible experience.
To achieve this, we advocate for progressive policy change from pre-arrival to post-graduation, and we raise awareness of the positive contributions that international students make to our communities by amplifying their voices through our #WeAreInternational programme. We rely on the data from the Graduate Outcomes survey to achieve our mission.
Enhancing careers and employability
One key element of the international student experience is, of course, careers and employability. International students consistently tell us how important it is for them to enhance their career prospects and their employability skills through investing in a UK degree. To support this, UKCISA has advocated for many years for flexible and progressive post-study work opportunities for international students, including the introduction of the UK-based Graduate route in July 2021. We also conduct research with other organisations into the careers support and resources available to students during their studies - whether that is support and advice on working during studies, or working with those who support careers advice in UK universities.
In 2020, we established an International Student Employability Group, bringing together representatives of the UK education sector and student employers, to discuss the opportunities for the UK’s international students and graduates, and highlight any challenges to developing employability skills. The work of this group, and its effectiveness in influencing policy, relies on a strong evidence base. International Graduate Outcomes data is key to this evidence base. It ensures that we have the best data available to inform our recommendations to universities and government, to help enhance careers and employability support, and to understand what our international graduates go on to do.
Telling your unique story
To ensure that we are able to advocate for positive change, and help current and prospective international students in the UK, we need to be able to tell a story about our international graduates and what they go on to do after their education in the UK. For this, your survey responses are absolutely essential.
We understand that international students in the UK have their individual career ambitions and follow many different paths to success after their degree and the Graduate Outcomes survey celebrates this. Our #WeAreInternational Student ambassadors share their own journeys to influence change. We need survey responses from as many graduates as possible to inform our work with policymakers in government, universities and employers, and make the case for investment where it is needed in support for careers and employability.
The data from the survey also helps us understand the impact of new policies. For example, we’d like to understand how people are taking up the Graduate Route visa and what roles they go on to afterwards. As the first cohort of graduates on this route will have now moved onto other visas or onto other roles, it’s an important timepoint to understand progression and how this route has benefitted your career.
For UKCISA and other organisations working to support international students, data on the postgraduate outcomes of international graduates is critical to inform our work to positively influence change. Whether you are working in the UK or in your home country (or even a third, different, country), whether your career aligned to your course of study or an opportunity that arose in a different area or sector – all this helps us to tell a compelling story about international graduates and their achievements.
As Chief Executive of UKCISA, I ask you to please complete the Graduate Outcomes survey when you receive it and provide as much information as you can. The survey is a chance to share your experience and an opportunity to reflect on your career to date. But it is more than that - you can also help shape the future. Not just your own future, as an alumnus of your institution, but for students that follow behind you.
For more information on UKCISA, our work to advocate for and support international students, visit ukcisa.org.uk. Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter for regular updates straight to your inbox and follow us on Instagram.
The Graduate Outcomes survey is currently surveying graduates who completed their higher education course between 1 August and 31 October 2023. You’ll receive an email and / or SMS with your secure survey link.
