73% of all our PGT students are international, with a total population of 5,209 (2023/24). We aim to improve the support systems for International PGT students, so that they are aligned with their expectations and desires, especially during transitional periods.
Student voice and evidence based
We want to address the disparities in support systems for international PGT students, including known barriers and as voiced directly by students, encompassing visa support, alumni engagement, and career development initiatives.
Navigating transition periods
PGT students have an intensive course structures (1800-hour workload in 1 year) and complex transition timelines, necessitating targeted interventions to facilitate smoother transitions into and out of their academic programmes.
Enhancing pre-arrival communication
Early communication strategies are crucial to provide essential information about the UK job market, cultural alignment, visa regulations, and support services, enabling them to make informed decisions and future plans.
Enhancing extracurricular opportunities and support
We aim to bridge the gap between PGT and UG student experiences by ensuring inclusive extracurricular opportunities, support their access to UK employment, navigating post-study work visa options, and addressing misconceptions for long-term career prospects.
Fostering inclusivity
Ultimately, the project endeavours to cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment for international PGT students, empowering them to thrive academically, professionally, and culturally within the university community.
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Why Now?
The creation of the central Student Experience division in May 2022, and the subsequent appointment of a Deputy Director (Echo Zhou) acting as a focal point for international student experience and support, is set to advocate for the inclusion of international students in the design of services and opportunities, enabling the university to seek out insight into their views and experience and acting on it.
This project involves building a collaborative partnership to deliver enhancement and intervention using intelligence from student voice and research-informed, sector-informed good practice, with the relevant Academic Director (Lee Griffins for PGT) and many internal stakeholders, including:
Student Opportunity (Careers, Employer Connect)
Marketing, Sight & Communications (Insight, Comms, recruitment, Social Media etc.)
Student Immigration
Alumni & Supporter Engagement
Student Union
Enterprise
Doctoral College
Academic departments such as WBS
The project received endorsement by the International Committee (March 2024) and SLEEC (May 2024) and is due to conclude in November 2024.
Many PGT students express an interest in remaining in the UK for work after completing their studies (either short term or longer term). However, they encounter difficulties as hiring season deadlines often pass before their arrival, highlighting a general lack of awareness about the UK job market and application timelines. They seek targeted assistance for securing part-time job opportunities during their studies. They eagerly anticipate continued participation in career fairs and campus networking events, perceiving them as highly beneficial.
PGT students often have a desire to obtain peer-based support from recent graduates to share their experience and top tips on UK job market, as well as the strategies they used while job hunting. They want to connect with current students and alumni even before they start their course, as current students would be largely gone by the time they arrive.
The current immigration policy landscape pose both uncertainty and significant barriers to international PGT students' career plan. Many students have a desire to have more tailored visa advice towards the end of their studies, so that they know exactly when they can start working full time, when they can apply for post-study work visas, their visa options, and how to convince employers that they are eligible to work and their skills bring significant value to their businesses.
