London is one of the UK‘s leading destinations for international higher education, attracting thousands of students from around the world each year. However, with rising living costs, visa uncertainty and increasing challenges in securing graduate employment, many international graduates are questioning whether staying in the UK after graduation is still a realistic option (House of Commons Library, 2026; Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), 2025).
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), cited by the Migration Observatory, indicate that around 80% of international students leave the UK within five years of arrival, highlighting that many do not remain in the UK long term. At the same time, recent research suggests that increasing numbers of graduates are transitioning from the Graduate Route to Skilled Worker visas, while recent immigration policy changes have made that process more challenging (Migration Observatory, 2025; House of Commons Library, 2026).
For one international graduate, who asked to remain anonymous, these wider challenges quickly became a personal reality. After graduating from the University of Westminster in 2025 with a BSc in Architecture and Environmental Design, they hoped to begin their career in the UK.
“I have submitted almost 240 job applications in the UK so far and it has not been successful. I would rarely get to the interview phase.”
Although they secured a Graduate Visa to continue searching for work, the financial pressure of living in London eventually forced them to return home.
“I stayed in London for three months job hunting and had to go back to my home country because the cost of living in London is too expensive, especially without a stable income.”
The graduate says they are still applying for UK roles and would relocate immediately if offered a position.
Although not every graduate’s experience is the same, many still describe the transition into the UK job market as challenging. Elisa Mirelli, a Sri Lankan graduate who completed a BA (Hons) in Business Management at the University of Westminster in 2024, eventually secured a role as a Sales Coordinator in the hospitality industry after months of networking and persistence.
“It was quite challenging to find a job during the first few months after graduating. Networking and building professional relationships helped me secure a role.”
Although Elisa found employment, she says her long-term plans have changed.
“Before coming to the UK, I planned to settle and build my career here. However, changes in the economy, immigration rules and the rising cost of living made me reassess my plans.”
Looking back, both graduates emphasised the importance of resilience. While one encouraged students to build professional networks and gain internship experience before graduating, Elisa offered simple advice:
“Be prepared for a roller-coaster journey.”
As London continues to attract students from around the world, the stories of these two graduates offer an insight into the realities of life after university. Their journeys took different paths, but both described the months after graduation as a period of uncertainty. While one continues applying for opportunities in the UK and the other secured employment after months of persistence, both found that earning a degree was only the beginning of building a career.
