Make the best use of new UK work visa norms

Pervin Malhotra

Make the best use of new UK work visa norms

Q. I could not take the GRE on time because I couldn’t prepare for it along with my job. So now I’m thinking of doing my Master’s in Public Relations in the UK so I don’t have to waste another year. The cost of study being rather high, I will have to take a study loan. Will I be able to get a job there after I graduate? — Sumeir Singh

A. Just a couple of months back, the UK government announced its decision to re-instate the two-year post-study student work visa seven years after its abolition. 

What this means is that international students pursuing full-time study programmes in the UK can now stay back in the country after completing their degree for up to two years to pursue employment opportunities. (Currently, international students have only four months to explore career options in the UK).

Students like you who are looking at enrolling in academic programmes from 2020 and after stand to benefit from the new rule which will come into effect from mid-2021. International students must however submit a fresh visa application. The new work visa offers flexibility in terms of the type or level of job in which an international student can apply for after graduation. After the stipulated two years International students on the graduate route will be able to switch on to the skilled work route if they land a job which meets the skill requirement of the route.

That said, do make sure you choose the course and college with care. Check for courses recommended by their PR Council

Check out MSc in Ayurveda Biology offered at JNU 

Q. I am a student of science (physics, chemistry and biology) in cla XII. Is there any way I can prepare myself to help my father without having to pursue a full-fledged Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda (BAMS)? — Anubhuti Acharya

A. To teach traditional medicine and ayurvedic texts in the context of modern science, JNU’s School of Sanskrit & Indic Studies (SISS) is introducing an interdisciplinary five-year integrated programme leading to an MSc degree in Ayurveda Biology.  

Starting from July 2020, this unique programme comprises modules on ancient Sanskrit and Ayurveda texts, the molecular basis of Ayurvedic sciences, as well as the clinical and industrial aspects, and pharmacological basis of Ayurveda. 

Jointly run by SSIS, and JNU’s School of Life Sciences, School of Biotechnology and Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, the integrated BSc & MSc programme will equip students with the knowledge of both modern as well as ayurvedic sciences, who in turn, would be valued by manufacturers of ayurvedic medicine. The global Ayurvedic market that’s expected to triple from $3.4 billion in 2015 to $9.7 billion by 2022, will require well-trained experts in this domain. 

Admission to this programme which is open to science students of Class XII, will be based on an entrance test in May 2020 with a compulsory and qualifying section on Sanskrit, conducted by the National Testing Agency. 

BE vs BTech

Q. Can you please tell me the difference between BE and BTech courses in Engineering. Which is better? — Amulya Tripathi

A. For all practical purposes, BE and BTech are essentially the same degree. It’s mostly a difference in nomenclature. Although typically the core engineering subjects come under BE, this too is not a hard and fast rule.

The names of the courses may also differ depending on the universities / colleges that offer them. 

There may also be a very slight difference in the course curriculum. Incidentally, there are several other ways you could pursue a career in technology including a BSc degree, or AMIE, IETE or Diploma courses in various engineering.

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