While PSW-visa holders are "in a variety of graduate-level roles and with an impressive range of organisations", the UK has not yet benefitted from the full potential of the route.

Raising awareness among UK employers of the graduate route remains key if the initiative will succeed, but other challenges exist.

Over a quarter of employers are not actually aware of the UK’s Graduate Route Visa allowing international students to work sponsor free for up to two years, according to a new policy note from HEPI. 

The ability for UK masters and PhD students to bring dependants is key in allowing UK universities to recruit students from a wider range of countries and compete against other study destinations, the UK government has emphasised.

Of the world leaders who were educated overseas, more studied in the US than in any other country, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute’s Soft-Power Index. 

The Home Office has conducted a snapshot insight survey to better understand graduates’ decision-making and their experience of the graduate route.

An AGCAS survey has revealed high satisfaction and employment rates among the first cohort of international students who were able to apply for the UK’s new post-study work visa.

UK employers need to better understand the graduate visa route as a valid right to work in the country, stakeholders have urged.