Recruiting our international students
Boasting 7,530 international students from more than 138 countries, we have proudly created a diverse and inspiring academic community within Cardiff. This provides a unique opportunity for organisations to access an even wider talent pool, skillset, and network that is unique to our international cohort; something you might not have considered previously.
Our international students are:
- studying both undergraduate and higher-level qualifications, such as master’s and PhDs
- spread across all our colleges, with high numbers in the schools of Business, Computer Science, Law and Politics, Engineering, Journalism Media and Culture, Medicine and Architecture
- highly engaged in employability and keen to add value to your organisation
Hire without sponsoring
The Graduate route allows international graduates to stay in the UK for up to two years (or three if they have a PhD) to work or look for work. There is no need to sponsor and no employer fees to pay. Even if the job you are offering is a permanent one, you can still start hiring under this route.
At any point during your employee’s stay under the Graduate route, they can apply to switch to the Skilled Worker route, if the job meets the necessary requirements. For more information, UKCISA has a guide for employers on recruiting international graduates.
Sponsor to hire longer
There is no limit on the length of time which can be spent under the Skilled Worker route. For new entrants to the labour market, salaries must be at least £30,960, and meet 70% of the “going rate” for the job (please see Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations for rates).
If you don’t yet have a sponsor licence, please read Government guidance on becoming a sponsor. For more information, UKCISA has a guide for employers on recruiting international graduates.
Inclusive recruitment
Ensure your recruitment practices are fair and avoid discrimination by:
- accepting and considering applications from any candidates with suitable skills and experience, irrespective of their nationality
- using statements such as: “the successful candidate must by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK”
- seeking evidence that someone has the right to work in the final stages of the recruitment process, rather than at the initial application stage.
Contact us
For more information about recruiting our international students please get in touch: