New UK visa scheme launched for graduates from top 50 worldwide universities

The ‘high potential individual’ route aims to bring the ‘brightest and best’ to the UK

File photo dated 16/07/08 of university graduates. PA

The UK government has launched a new visa route for graduates from the top 50 non-UK universities.

It is hoped that the “high potential individual” scheme, which launches on Monday May 30, will attract the “brightest and best”, at the beginning of their careers, to come and work in the UK.

Successful applicants with a bachelor’s or masters will be given a two-year work visa, while PhD-holders can apply for a three-year visa.

Government guidance states that beneficiaries can then “switch to other long-term employment visas, if you meet the eligibility requirements”.

The route is open to graduates from the top 50 non-UK universities, who hold a degree, equivalent to a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, awarded no more than five years before the date of application.

Eligible universities must appear in the top 50 rankings of at least two of either: Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings or The Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The most recent list of eligible universities from 2021, published online by the government, comprises 20 US institutions, plus universities from Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, France, Sweden and Switzerland.

The government also stipulates that candidates must pass a security and criminality check, and be able to speak, read, listen and write English to at least the B1 intermediate level.

The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, defines B1 intermediate level as “those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers”.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has retained its global number one position for graduate employability for the third year in a row. Bloomberg

Stanford University came second in the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds, a global education research consultancy. AFP

The University of California, Los Angeles took the third spot. EPA

The University of Sydney came fourth, in a list that was mostly dominated by American universities. Reuters

Harvard University was placed fifth worldwide. Getty Images

Tsinghua University in Beijing, China came sixth. Shutterstock

University of Oxford came seventh. Getty Images

The University of Melbourne in Australia came eighth. Bloomberg

Cornell University in New York state came ninth. Getty Images

The University of Hong Kong came 10th. EPA

The visa will allow eligible individuals to come to the UK without a prior job offer, and dependants will be allowed to accompany them.

The visa will cost £715 ($902) and is subject to the immigration health surcharge, a sum successful visa or immigration applicants pay which allows use of the NHS.

Anyone applying for the visa must have maintenance funds of at least £1,270 ($1,604).

“This new visa offer means that the UK can continue to attract the best and brightest from across the globe,” said Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

“The route means that the UK will grow as a leading international hub for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

“We want the businesses of tomorrow to be built here today, which is why I call on students to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to forge their careers here.”

“I am proud to be launching this new and exciting route as part of our points-based immigration system which puts ability and talent first, not where someone comes from,” said Home Secretary Priti Patel.

The government’s points-based immigration system means people coming to the UK for work must now meet specific requirements for which they will score points, with visas awarded to those with enough points.