Help shape the future for international students

Why does it count? Because universities, the UK government, and we at Universities UK International (UUKi) use your feedback to help ensure international students and graduates continue to get a first-rate student experience in the UK. Your story fuels the evidence used to defend post-study work rights, protect visas, and improve support for future students.

Right now, international students are at the centre of public and political debate in the UK. While polling has consistently shown strong and continued support for international students, the government remains under pressure to reduce immigration.

In these discussions, evidence from international graduates is crucial. Policymakers need to understand what happens after you graduate: where you go, what you do, how you reflect on your UK experience and how valuable your qualification has been. The best way to share this is through the Graduate Outcomes survey, run by Jisc on behalf of all UK universities.

At UUKi, we represent UK universities on all things international. We work with government and the higher education sector to ensure international students are supported, heard and valued, during your studies and long after you graduate.

Graduate Outcomes data is essential to our work. We use your survey responses to make the case directly to the government to advocate for international student recruitment and post-study work rights. For instance, findings from our International graduate outcomes report from 2019 showed that 77% of international graduates were satisfied with their UK experience and that the majority were in graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of completing their studies. These insights helped strengthen the case for reintroducing a post-study work route in the UK.

Alongside evidence from the sector, this data contributed to the government’s decision later that year to launch the Graduate visa. This is just one example of how graduate voices can and have helped to shape more welcoming and globally competitive immigration policies.

More recently, our Gone international: a new generation report used data from the survey to show that students who studied abroad as part of their degree were more likely to achieve a first-class degree, secure high-skilled employment 15 months after graduating, and gain higher average earnings than their non-mobile peers.

This evidence helps protect and develop mobility programmes, making sure that all students – including international students – can access mobility opportunities to study and work abroad, and take advantage of the graduate benefits.

As well as engaging with policymakers, we publicly promote the value that international students bring to the UK. International students make enormous contributions – through your talent, ideas and cultural exchange, as well as financially. However, public understanding of this impact isn’t always widely understood.

To protect and improve opportunities for international students, we need stronger evidence, and your feedback is key to this.

Right now, response rates from international students could be higher, especially among postgraduate taught students who make up the majority of the UK’s international student population. Your story matters: every response helps build a more accurate picture of the international graduate experience.

If you’ve been invited to complete the survey, please do take the time to respond. It only takes 10 minutes. By sharing your experience, you’re helping universities, government, and employers understand the value of international students, and why it’s worth investing in your success. Together, we can make sure international graduates are heard and that future policies reflect your contribution.