Skip to main content

Recruiting our international students

Boasting 5,040 international students from more than 139 countries, we have proudly created a diverse and inspiring academic community within Cardiff.

This provides a unique opportunity for organisations to access an even wider talent pool, skillset, and network that is unique to our international cohort; something you might not have considered previously.

Our international students are:

  • studying both undergraduate and higher-level qualifications, such as master’s and PhDs
  • spread across all our colleges, with high numbers in the schools of Business, Computer Science, Law and Politics, Engineering, Journalism, Media and Culture, Medicine and Architecture
  • keen to add value to your organisation
International students throwing hats into the air

The Graduate route allows international graduates to stay in the UK for:

  • 3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification
  • 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
  • 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027

There is no need to sponsor, and no employer fees to pay. At any point during your employee’s stay under the Graduate route, they can apply to switch to the Skilled Worker route, if the job meets the necessary requirements. For more information, UKCISA has a guide for employers on recruiting international graduates.

Hire international graduate longer term on the Skilled Worker route. Any job must meet a minimum salary requirement, either the ‘going rate’ for the specific occupation, or the minimum salary threshold (please see Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations for rates).

If you don’t yet have a sponsor licence, please read Government guidance on becoming a sponsor. For more information, UKCISA has a guide for employers on recruiting international graduates.

Ensure your recruitment practices are fair and avoid discrimination by:

  • accepting and considering applications from any candidates with suitable skills and experience, irrespective of their nationality
  • using statements such as: “the successful candidate must by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK”
  • seeking evidence that someone has the right to work in the final stages of the recruitment process, rather than at the initial application stage.

Contact us

For more information about recruiting our international students, get in touch:

Employer Engagement Team