More Graduates Are Leaving the UK, but How Easy Is It to Take Your Qualifications Abroad?

The Times recently shared that 1 in 10 graduates are planning on leaving the UK to pursue careers and qualifications abroad. Graduate opportunities in the UK are lower than they have been in many years, with graduates struggling to secure roles amidst the current landscape of companies scaling back on graduate recruitment schemes.

In addition to the concern around the lack of graduate opportunities in the UK, moving abroad provides a new lifestyle experience, the opportunity to travel and develop a stronger understanding of languages and cultures. For graduates who are looking to obtain qualifications such as Master’s degrees, healthcare specialisations, teaching qualifications and other professional qualifications, they may also be able to save money on tuition fees by taking qualifications abroad.

If you are wondering whether taking qualifications abroad after graduating in the UK is a realistic option, here are some of the key considerations:

Availability of Graduate Schemes and Scholarships

There is a range of overseas schemes and scholarships that graduates may be able to apply for, such as British Council programmes and the government funded Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme provides opportunities for graduates to take overseas work placements but the university selects graduates and it can be difficult to gain placements.

Some countries offer scholarships for UK graduates but the eligibility varies for different countries. Examples of these include France’s Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and Germany’s DAAD. These are mostly available to Bachelor’s degree graduates who are regarded as top international students and they provide opportunities to complete PhDs in the country’s priority fields.

These schemes and scholarships offer excellent opportunities to gain qualifications abroad but places are limited and competition is strong.

Another route to explore is through companies that have multinational operations who offer graduate opportunities to complete qualifications at one of their international locations.

Applying for an international post graduate degree without receiving funding is more straightforward for UK graduates but how difficult it is to get accepted will depend on your degree classification, the amount of competition for the course and institution you apply through, and whether you are eligible for a study or work visa in the specific country you apply to.

Language Considerations

In addition to meeting eligibility criteria for taking qualifications abroad, UK graduates will also need to consider the impact of moving to a country with a different language. While some countries offer qualifications with English speaking courses, the majority of overseas courses and work placements will require a good level of local language skills.

For this reason, many UK graduates choose English speaking countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand so that there are no issues with language barriers. Graduates who are fluent in other languages will have an advantage of being able to apply for postgraduate courses in the country or countries where they have proficient language skills.

Visa Requirements

Whether you are eligible for a visa will also determine how difficult it is to take qualifications overseas as a UK graduate. Many countries require you to pay an application fee, provide proof of tuition fee funds, an acceptance letter from the institution or company providing a work placement and evidence of medical insurance. The visa requirements vary significantly across different countries, so this is one of the first areas to research before you start applying for overseas qualification courses or graduate schemes.

What Else Do UK Graduates Need for Gaining Qualifications Abroad?

Applying to take qualifications abroad and making arrangements to move to another country takes careful planning. These are some of the additional preparations you are likely to need to make:

Obtain Proof of Qualifications

You will need to provide proof of your degree and may be required to obtain an apostille to show that the degree is authentic. You can use UK degree apostille services to certify your documents through an FCDO-registered solicitor. An apostilled degree can be used for both applying for overseas postgraduate courses, work placements and international employment.

Gather References

Employers and education institutions may also request references from the college or university that you completed your degree at.

Forecast All Costs and Calculate Your Budget

While visa requirements may ask you to provide proof that you can cover tuition fees, you should still spend time working out your budget to ensure that you will be able to afford to live abroad. You will need to research accommodation options and the costs of everyday living expenses, including bills, travel, groceries. The cost of living in the country that you are moving to could be an important factor in choosing the destination for taking qualifications.

Lots of UK graduates are able to successfully pursue opportunities abroad and how difficult it is will depend on the competitiveness of the course or graduate scheme that you apply to, but this information should give you an idea of where to start.