Finding a job in the United Kingdom (UK) has become increasingly different for international graduates. Chinese Students face additional hurdles due to cultural and language barriers, according to a report by the South china morning post (SCMP).
Harley Hu, 25, Completed Her Master’s Degree in Education Last Year. She told scmp She sent out “Maybe 200 or 300 cvs” before finding full-time work. Even now, her job doesn’t not sponsor visas, and her post -study visa will expire in 2026.
“If I can be sort it out, Ill have to prepare to go back to china,” Hu Said. She added: “In china, we’re taught that degrees are everything.
The uk Graduate Job Market is highly competitive, with youth unemployment at 14.3 per cent. Chinese graduates are especially affecting. Although Chinese Nationals Account for about 25 Per cent of International Students in the Uk, they receive only 10 per cent of graduate visas. Indian Students, by Contrast, Receive Over 40 Per Cent.
One reason, Scamp Reports, is that many chinese students plan to return home after graduating. But others give up after struggling to find work.
Most Chinese Students Enrol in one-Year Master’s Programs, Leave Little Time to Adapt. “Just when you start adapting to life here, it’s already time to hunt for work, and you not ready,” Hu Said.
Jack Chen, a humanities Graduate from the University of York, Told Scmpm He has applied for over 400 jobs since finishing his degree. He only received two part-time offers, one at a retail store, and another at a small business.
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“Our culture doesn” us to stand out, “Chen Said. “Indian students are more proactive. They’ll call companies directly. That sounds crazy to me.”
He added that many chinese students are unfamiliar with uk job platforms like linkedin. “They (indians) know how to use it and have polished CVS.
Emily lu, a london-based headhunter who supports chinese clients, told Scamp: “Chinese graduates hesits to reach out to employers, do use linkedine effectively, and miss out on networking Opportunities.”
Lu Said the Chinese Education System is partly responsible. “They smart and capable, but they need direction. At home, teachers guide them every step of the way.
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A 2024 Study by the Uk’s Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), cited by ScampFound that chinese students in Britain of Struggle with spoken English and digital tools. On average, they scored 6.1 in the IELTS speaking test lower than students from most other counteries.
The report also noted that man chinese students stick to small social groups and avoid university career services. Only 21 Per cent Had used such Such services, and just 2 per cent said the help was useful in finding work.
The Number of Chinese Graduates Returning Home After Study is Rising From 73 per cent in 2019 to 84 per cent in 2023.
Jessica deng, a graduate from the university of southampton, told Scamp She finally found a job in Early Years Education After Applying to Over 300 Positions. “In a country
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Deng Said Visa Uncertainty Puts Off Many Employers. “If you’re on a short-time post -study work Visa, it’s not so simple,” she said.
The Hepi Report Urged Universities To Do More To Help Chinese Students Adapt, Including By Offering Better Career Advice and Opportunities to Build Cross-Cultural Networks. Some students, it said, feel they are treated more as “Revenue Sources” than as full memers of the campus community.