Experiencing the UK Graduate route: Tanzania, master’s degree

Date:Feb 2023

Topic(s): Graduate route, Recruitment, Student employability, Transition

Type(s): AGCAS Case study

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), a member of UKCISA’s International Student Employability Group (ISEG), has captured the experiences of international graduates seeking employment in the UK after graduation in a series of case studies.

Who are you?

Name	Anonymous
Nationality / country of origin	Tanzania
Current visa	Graduate route
Are your expectations of your Graduate route visa being met?	Strongly agree
University, level of study and programme of study	University in the East Midlands Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA) Architecture, building and planning
How many roles have you applied for since leaving university?	1-10
Current activity	Employed - full time (more than 35 hours a week) (permanent contract)

Where do you work?

Job title	Part 2 Architectural Assistant
Employer / organisation	Architecture
Region of your contracted place of work	London
Briefly describe your role and your main responsibilities	I work on production of designs and drawings for clients under a qualified architect. I also take part in site visits and attend design team meetings
Time between the end of your course and start date for your current role	Less than 3 months
How did you find your current job?	Through a contact (e.g. tutor, friend, previous employer)

“I get to work full time in my field of expertise with no limitations apart from it being only for 2 years.”

Thoughts on your visa

I get to work full time in my field of expertise with no limitations apart from it being only for 2 years.

Honestly, being an international student meant that getting a job was a long process since many companies would opt for a home student without visa complications. It took me longer than my fellow graduates to get a job. Even so, moving from one company to another becomes challenging as my right to work is questionable. I got a job 3 months later than any of my friends from architecture school.

“It took me longer than my fellow graduates to get a job.”

Support and development

Through the university careers service, I attended an employer event and a careers fair and I gained access to job vacancy listings. After university, I undertook a short course on Mental Health First Aid in the workplace.

“We are always at a disadvantage compared to home applicants with similar skills and qualifications.”

Employer knowledge and attitudes

My employers had no clue how the post-study work visa worked, especially the graduate visa. It is always considered an extra cost as they have to pay to sponsor the employee, and due to that, we are always at a disadvantage compared to home applicants who do not need one and have similar skills and qualifications.