Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

Wider experiences including work 
Some of the richest stories of personal development and impact came from those who had 
widened their activities off-campus while in the UK, in the form of volunteering, 
employment (including post-study) or other social or cultural activity. This enabled greater 
integration with a wider range of UK society than they met on campus. That integration 
developed deeper and better informed – positive – perceptions of the UK as a society, 
engendering trust. A few alumni reported rather narrow experiences during their stay in the 
UK, remaining largely within their nationality group or simply through shyness or reticence.
Alumni perceived that employment, during placements or part-time for subsistence during 
study but also post-study where allowed, had added greatly to the career enhancement 
benefit they had gained from HE study in the UK. There are perceptions that recent 
amendments to UK visa restrictions reduce such employment opportunities, limiting the 
potential for career enhancement impact and thus making the UK a less favourable HE 
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK 
destination. These have been prominent in the press and were high in the minds of a few 
alumni. Given that career-related motivations are uppermost for the vast majority of 
potential applicants, such perceptions could have negative effects, and can be amplified 
through the use of social media by negatively-minded alumni or commentators. 
What was clear from the alumni interviewed was that the overwhelming majority studied in 
the UK with the long-term goal of making a success of their life in their own country. 
However, many felt the option to work in the UK for a period post-graduation would 
consolidate and maximise the impact of their HE study in terms of career enhancement.