TWoods:


I get your point but I think its rather misplaced. The UK government makes it clear that a study visa is a temporary visa, obtained only for the purpose of studying in the UK, after which you are expected to return to your home country. No where is there any expectation that you will be allowed to stay permanently or get a job. The basic premise of a non-immigrant visa is that it is TEMPORARY and that the UK provides you no guarantees of "return on your investment". On that basis, I struggle to see why the thread is relevant at all...

Aphrodite007:


I studied IT love, and I had a powerful CV when applying, still i didn't get in because I needed sponsorship. I had two doctors as friends and they couldn't get in too, one even went back for a PhD just to buy more time in the UK to apply for a tier 2 visa, its now that he is getting a positive response from them (because EU people have left, lol). I had uncountable number of nurses as friends and only one got in. Engineering is the worst, UK citizens work as contractors in the engineering field, so if you are not an experienced top level engineering executive (probably with a PMP), you are wasting your time. So doing a degree in IT, Med and Engineering, will not guarantee a job until they realise there are no more EU people in the UK and then start smiling at us.

Those two defenders were conversant with the rules in the yester-years, we have been in the system between 2014 and 2017 and are testifying. if they don't want to upgrade their knowledge, that's fine- its completely their business.

dupyshoo:
I agree with a lot of your comments but I don't agree with the bolded. Engineering is one of profession that it is easier to get sponsorship as British citizens hardly study Engineering. I actually know 2 people that got jobs as Elect/Elect Engineers in the UK after their MSc. last September and were sponsored. They had no work experience from Nigeria as they were fresh graduates. These people even came to UK on PTDF scholarship. So, it is all win-win for them.

I am an Engineer too and I know quite a number of my friends that we came in together that have changed their sponsors while on Tier 2. I will be lying if I say it is easy to get a job as a lot of companies don't even understand the Tier 2 program, hence they don't even want to hear that you require sponsorship.

As a lot of people have advised, think twice before coming to the UK to study. If you however decide to come, don't feel too bad if you don't get a job and you have to go back. It is a risk. It was easier before post study work visa was cancelled.

For those that still have plans to come to UK to study, I will advise they start applying for jobs as soon as they get into UK. Most grad jobs open in October and they are closed by December/January. The mistake a lot of international students make is that they don't start applying early. Before they realise what is happening, all the grad programmes in big companies that sponsor are gone. Those that even start early don't understand how to answer their competency questions. I learnt in the hard way when I had my first telephone interview and I could not even answer any of the questions intelligently. I had to take my time to learn and I never failed any telephone interview after then. This the edge people on post study visa had. They would have spent a year to understand the system which will boost their chance of securing a job.

Aphrodite007:

Those two defenders were conversant with the rules in the yester-years, we have been in the system between 2014 and 2017 and are testifying. if they don't want to upgrade their knowledge, that's fine- its completely their business.

Heimdall:

That's 2 people out of how many oh? Professionals in STEM courses are actually in high demand but like you said most companies won't even want to hear that you require sponsorship. If they were to sponsor someone, wouldn't they sponsor a more experienced professional as opposed to sponsoring a fresh graduate?

BossLaifay:
Don't mind them joor! Making the people that couldn't get jobs or sponsorship think it is their fault! "If only they started applying early" "If only they were more focused" "If only the did adequate research"
But alas, all lies! People did all this and more still no hope! So let them learn from other peoples mistakes and experiences and then make an informed decision.

Heimdall:


The UK government makes it clear, no doubt, but it doesn't stop Nigerians from hoping they can get a job and stay back on completion of their studies...that's what most Nigerians travelling to the UK [b]hope[/b]for.

Now telling them "oh i know someone that knows someone that got a job" or "you can get a job if you study IT or nursing" will further mislead them. You're just giving them false hope.

What this thread is doing is reiterating the fact that it is [b]VERY HIGHLY[/b]unlikely to get a job after masters in the UK. Its good Nigerians get first hand info from other people that have experience the bitter reality in the UK.

Do you honestly think most of the people going there are going just to get a degree and return to Naija without any thing to show?

Until the UK government reviews their immigration policy, this thread is very relevant. Nigerians should stop thinking they can get a job there. Leave UK alone, don't flush your hard earned money down the drain.

dupyshoo:
I agree with a lot of your comments but I don't agree with the bolded. Engineering is one of profession that it is easier to get sponsorship as British citizens hardly study Engineering. I actually know 2 people that got jobs as Elect/Elect Engineers in the UK after their MSc. last September and were sponsored. They had no work experience from Nigeria as they were fresh graduates. These people even came to UK on PTDF scholarship. So, it is all win-win for them.

I am an Engineer too and I know quite a number of my friends that we came in together that have changed their sponsors while on Tier 2. I will be lying if I say it is easy to get a job as a lot of companies don't even understand the Tier 2 program, hence they don't even want to hear that you require sponsorship.

As a lot of people have advised, think twice before coming to the UK to study. If you however decide to come, don't feel too bad if you don't get a job and you have to go back. It is a risk. It was easier before post study work visa was cancelled.

For those that still have plans to come to UK to study, I will advise they start applying for jobs as soon as they get into UK. Most grad jobs open in October and they are closed by December/January. The mistake a lot of international students make is that they don't start applying early. Before they realise what is happening, all the grad programmes in big companies that sponsor are gone. Those that even start early don't understand how to answer their competency questions. I learnt in the hard way when I had my first telephone interview and I could not even answer any of the questions intelligently. I had to take my time to learn and I never failed any telephone interview after then. This the edge people on post study visa had. They would have spent a year to understand the system which will boost their chance of securing a job.

dupyshoo:
I don't know so many students, so I don't know the proportion. Even if you are experienced, it is still difficult to change sponsors. It is even easier to sponsor Tier 4 students as they don't require Resident labour market test.

As difficult as it seems, some people still get a job. My former employer sponsored more than 10 of us at the same time (6 were Nigerians). A year after me, out of all the grads that came for assessment centre in my business (sector), only 2 were chosen and they were Nigerians. They were also sponsored. So, there are companies out there that are still sponsoring.

It is good that people are made aware of the fact that it is difficult to get a job so they are not too expectant. However, there is still a slim chance of getting a sponsorship. It is their decision to either take the risk or not.

dupyshoo:
I don't know so many students, so I don't know the proportion. Even if you are experienced, it is still difficult to change sponsors. It is even easier to sponsor Tier 4 students as they don't require Resident labour market test.

As difficult as it seems, some people still get a job. My former employer sponsored more than 10 of us at the same time (6 were Nigerians). A year after me, out of all the grads that came for assessment centre in my business (sector), only 2 were chosen and they were Nigerians. They were also sponsored. So, there are companies out there that are still sponsoring.

It is good that people are made aware of the fact that it is difficult to get a job so they are not too expectant. However, there is still a slim chance of getting a sponsorship. It is their decision to either take the risk or not.

Aphrodite007:


Thank you Engr! I want to believe that 8 mill is too much money to spend on a slim chance

Aphrodite007:


Are you in Abuja? Let me take you out for a drink.

This is what I've been saying! If them born them well, let them include the caveat on the website that just 1% of international students work, lets see who will dash them money to cater to their citizens! I'm just tired of the senseless arguments gan!

You know the worst part for me? These defenders are people that I respect and used to follow gullibly but now that I see that I'm wiser than them on nairaland, I would start doubting everything they say! Just Imagine if I hadn't experienced this thing first hand, I would have out-rightly believed them, chai! mumu no good sha!

LaudableXX:


They usually find out on the website, and are told when applying for a visa, during the 10-20 minute interview at the high commission.

Meanwhile most of the schools they applied to, (during the very lengthy application/admission process which could span several weeks of e-mail exchanges and phone conversations), never mention it and even give the impression, that students who graduate from their institutions find it easy to get jobs, or that many of them have become gainfully employed ever since they got pricey degrees from such institutions. Are the UK schools and UK govt in the business of confusing prospective students?

That is why I said that all UK schools should include a caveat in their prospectus/brochures, that international students would NOT be allowed to work in the UK, except for a few who have studied any of the STEM courses, and have a sponsor to back their application. There should be a clear section on immigration policies, in their brochures.

Once that is done, prospective students would be able to compare the cost of such degrees with existing UK policies, and would be able to make better informed decisions, by going elsewhere other then the UK, to study! Now, is that too difficult for you to understand, or must I break it down into mono syllables before it gets into your head?

Aphrodite007:


Why did justwise tell someone that they wouldn't work in the UK with a visit visa, isn't it clear that a visit visa is obviously for a visit?! The reason is that we hope for something better, no matter the situation. Why did you spend ages on the US thread correcting people's misconceptions? Can't they read the blue print and figure it out themselves? I liked you on the thread cos i believed you were doing it out of the goodness of your heart, but now, I believe different.

You guys constantly remind Nigerians to stick to the rules, which is exactly what we are doing. It is beyond me why you should argue about this, unless you want to pretend like you don't know that Nigerians pay that ludicrous amount with hopes of living/working in the UK. I think its wickedness to know that some people invest borrowed money for a better like in the UK and you wouldn't advise them against it.

Let the Nigerians going to the UK should be the judge of this post, not you guys that were opportune to enter before the laws got difficult.

Aphrodite007:


Are you in Abuja? Let me take you out for a drink.

This is what I've been saying! If them born them well, let them include the caveat on the website that just 1% of international students work, lets see who will dash them money to cater to their citizens! I'm just tired of the senseless arguments gan!

You know the worst part for me? These defenders are people that I respect and used to follow gullibly but now that I see that I'm wiser than them on nairaland, I would start doubting everything they say! Just Imagine if I hadn't experienced this thing first hand, I would have out-rightly believed them, chai! mumu no good sha!

TWoods:
So basically the problem isn’t the UK government. It is our own misplaced sense of entitlement. Anyone with half a brain would know that the government (not the school) makes immigration rules.

LaudableXX:

Try not to expose your misguided brand of clueless logic on this board. The UK govt says one thing on their website, while the UK school says another thing on their website, and fosters a different impression through several exchanges of e-mails spanning several months, with the student.

Which one will the student most likely believe, especially since they have forged stronger ties with staff and representatives of the school handling their enquiries over several weeks? The student is often left with the impression that the info on the UK govt website is a generalised one.

All you need to do, since you are so aggrieved on the UK govt's behalf, is tell them to ensure that all universities admitting foreign/international students include a disclaimer on their website in bold letters, which states loud and clear that they are not allowed to work in the UK, after their pricey degrees. So that such students can ignore the hyped testimonials, about how many students get a job after parting with huge amounts of cash, for their pricey degrees.

TWoods:
We are having a silly back and forth. The government makes the laws... it really doesn’t matter a jot what a school tells you. It is your responsibility to know what the law says. Airlines fly you to the US daily and Disney wants your money too, regardless of what they say, it is your responsibility to know that you cannot simply choose to live in Florida forever on a visiting visa.

That is just plain facts... feel free twisting yourself into a pretzel in order to blame everyone but yourself for your own poor planning.

Besides, anyone who spends millions to obtain a masters in the UK gets no sympathy from me. You could have obtained the same degree for far less in the US or Canada... again it boils down to proper planning. I’ve spent enough time on these boards to realize that this is the fundamental problem of most Nigerians. We are basically lazy and shortsighted, preferring to rely on “favor” and “prayer” rather than a clear set of facts and logic.

dupyshoo:
Hehehe!!!

I schooled in England not Scotland. If my brother/sister gets the opportunity to study for free in the UK, I will tell them to take it. Though, I won't advise them to come and spend their money here.

With regard to your other comments, first, how many of them actually go for apprenticeship? They are very few. I am a STEM ambassador and I know the struggle to get home students to study Engineering. Even British-Nigeria teenagers don't even want to study Engineering. Most of them will rather go for easier courses. I could count the number of British students studying EE while I was in Uni.

Yes, a lot of them work in construction Industry. Most of them are getting old and they need young people to fill their positions. Even those that are working just mastered what they are told to do. They sometimes struggle to make decision outside the norm as they lack understanding of the theory behind what they are doing.

I never said you will surely get a job if you apply early. I actually agree with a lot of your comments. In fact, some companies will not even allow you to go further once you state you need sponsorship. I applied for over 200 jobs myself and got rejected for over 90% of the applications I made. Did about 5-6 assessment exercise and got 2 offers. That is less than 2%. You can imagine the amount of effort I put into it as it can take you hours to even complete 1 application. Despite the effort I put in, it is not just by my effort but favour as I know a lot of people that put more effort than I did but still did not yield any results.

dupyshoo:
Hehehe!!!

I schooled in England not Scotland. If my brother/sister gets the opportunity to study for free in the UK, I will tell them to take it. Though, I won't advise them to come and spend their money here.

With regard to your other comments, first, how many of them actually go for apprenticeship? They are very few. I am a STEM ambassador and I know the struggle to get home students to study Engineering. Even British-Nigeria teenagers don't even want to study Engineering. Most of them will rather go for easier courses. I could count the number of British students studying EE while I was in Uni.

Yes, a lot of them work in construction Industry. Most of them are getting old and they need young people to fill their positions. Even those that are working just mastered what they are told to do. They sometimes struggle to make decision outside the norm as they lack understanding of the theory behind what they are doing.

I never said you will surely get a job if you apply early. I actually agree with a lot of your comments. In fact, some companies will not even allow you to go further once you state you need sponsorship. I applied for over 200 jobs myself and got rejected for over 90% of the applications I made. Did about 5-6 assessment exercise and got 2 offers. That is less than 2%. You can imagine the amount of effort I put into it as it can take you hours to even complete 1 application. Despite the effort I put in, it is not just by my effort but favour as I know a lot of people that put more effort than I did but still did not yield any results.

dupyshoo:
Hehehe!!!

I schooled in England not Scotland. If my brother/sister gets the opportunity to study for free in the UK, I will tell them to take it. Though, I won't advise them to come and spend their money here.

With regard to your other comments, first, how many of them actually go for apprenticeship? They are very few. I am a STEM ambassador and I know the struggle to get home students to study Engineering. Even British-Nigeria teenagers don't even want to study Engineering. Most of them will rather go for easier courses. I could count the number of British students studying EE while I was in Uni.

Yes, a lot of them work in construction Industry. Most of them are getting old and they need young people to fill their positions. Even those that are working just mastered what they are told to do. They sometimes struggle to make decision outside the norm as they lack understanding of the theory behind what they are doing.

I never said you will surely get a job if you apply early. I actually agree with a lot of your comments. In fact, some companies will not even allow you to go further once you state you need sponsorship. I applied for over 200 jobs myself and got rejected for over 90% of the applications I made. Did about 5-6 assessment exercise and got 2 offers. That is less than 2%. You can imagine the amount of effort I put into it as it can take you hours to even complete 1 application. Despite the effort I put in, it is not just by my effort but favour as I know a lot of people that put more effort than I did but still did not yield any results.

Aphrodite007:


whoa! 200 applications, you are the real MVP! , when I grow up, I want to be like you.

LaudableXX:

Try not to expose your misguided brand of clueless logic on this board. The UK govt says one thing on its' website, while the UK school says another thing on their website, and fosters a different impression through several exchanges of e-mails spanning several months, with the student.

Which one will the student most likely believe, especially since they have forged stronger ties with staff and representatives of the school handling their enquiries over several weeks? The student is often left with the impression that the info on the UK govt website is a generalised one.

All you need to do, since you are so aggrieved on the UK govt's behalf, is tell them to ensure that all universities admitting foreign/international students include a disclaimer on their website in bold letters, which states loud and clear that they are not allowed to work in the UK, after their pricey degrees. So that such students can ignore the hyped testimonials, about how many students get a job after parting with huge amounts of cash, for their pricey degrees.

dupyshoo:
. Despite the effort I put in, it is not just by my effort but favour as I know a lot of people that put more effort than I did but still did not yield any results.

erico2k2:

Boys dey apply for 5oo jobs oh ahhahs
Cos your CV is stored so in most cases you jst click apply

erico2k2:

Boys dey apply for 5oo jobs oh ahhahs
Cos your CV is stored so in most cases you jst click apply

TWoods:
We know the immigration rules, but we prefer to go ahead, “believing god” that “our case is different”. When it doesn’t, we put up long threads blaming the UK government and it’s schools. UK schools exist to make as much money from the clueless, if I were in their shoes, I’d do the same too. It is not their responsibility to teach you how to think.

Aphrodite007:

Aphrodite007:


whoa! 200 applications, you are the real MVP! , when I grow up, I want to be like you.

TWoods:


Besides, anyone who spends millions to obtain a masters in the UK gets no sympathy from me. You could have obtained the same degree for far less in the US or Canada... again it boils down to proper planning. I’ve spent enough time on these boards to realize that this is the fundamental problem of most Nigerians. We are basically lazy and shortsighted, preferring to rely on “favor” and “prayer” rather than a clear set of facts and logic. We know the immigration rules, but we prefer to go ahead, “believing god” that “our case is different”. When it doesn’t, we put up long threads blaming the UK government and it’s schools. UK schools exist to make as much money from the clueless, if I were in their shoes, I’d do the same too. It is not their responsibility to teach you how to think.

salford1:

LOL.
On point, but you forgot to hard that most students that go the the UK route would not even get an admisssion from US school or Canadian schools because those ones are very competitive to get in even with a first class and getting their visas are tough. Their are UK unis that are hard to get in as well. The very good ones like UCL, Kings College, Oxford, Aston, HWU etc. The grads of these unis even stand a better chance of getting jobs as they are well known in their respective industries. But Nigerian students would most likely attend LSU, Leeds metropolitan, Sheffield hallam etc due to easy admissions and claim no jobs. They would blame everyone but themselves.
It's the same way some student back in Nigeria would attend poly due to not meeting admission requirements of uni, then later come back to cry wolf that the government should also treat them equally as university grad.

LaudableXX:

Sir, you are the one turning yourself into an aggrieved contortionist in your bid to defend the UK govt policies, mindlessly. All the rest of us are doing, is to ensure that the same policy is laid bare in clear terms, to those who want to come and study in the UK. It needs to be repeated with real-life examples, so that those who are about to take this step, can realise that better alternatives exist in other countries, and vote accordingly for what suits them. So why are you still wailing? Any Nigerian student who still votes to study in the UK, after reading through this entire thread and seeing the opportunities elsewhere, needs to see a shrink.