You may be aware that international students studying in the UK can apply for the Post Study Work Visa to stay and work in the UK under the Graduate Immigration Route for two years (three years for PhD students). With this visa, Indian students can stay in the UK for much longer and can gain international work experience without needing to be sponsored by someone from the UK.
It is no secret that the new Graduate Route is meant for the retention of global talent in the UK and to boost the country’s economy. But the graduate route does not count towards settlement. Hence one may wonder, what are the job prospects in the UK at the end of the two-year visa?
The good news is that graduates can apply to other routes once their PSW visa comes to an end such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Innovator routes.
The UK job market is fiercely competitive and choosing the right course to study is a crucial first step in getting hired and being able to migrate to the country. Focusing on certain courses such as STEM courses and the professions listed in the Shortage Occupation List, will give you an edge in getting settled in the UK.
Read below to learn about what you should study in the UK for better job prospects, or directly contact our in-house visa experts by booking a free consultation today.
What is the Shortage Occupation List?
The UK Shortage Occupation List is the official list of jobs for which there are not enough resident workers to fill in the vacancies. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) regularly reviews and updates the list.
Jobs that appear on the Shortage Occupation List are awarded additional 20 points under the new point-based immigration system benefiting professionals applying for a residence permit in the UK.
Jobs under the Shortage Occupation List are easier to find and much in demand due to skill shortages in the UK. Further STEM professionals enjoy great job prospects in the UK and across the world.
Best Subjects to Study in the UK based on the Shortage Occupation List
It is no longer enough to choose from popular subjects to study in the UK when planning your future in the country. It’s extremely important to pick the right subject area and course to increase your employability in the UK as post Covid-19 the job market will be highly competitive in the UK.
1. Engineering
Highly skilled engineers are in demand in the UK in almost all branches of engineering. The categories under skill shortage are:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Design and Development Engineering
- Production and Process Engineering
- Programme and Software Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
See our Engineering Subject Guide for more details.
2. Life Sciences (Health and Medicine related fields)
Medicine was and continues to be one of the most popular subject areas in the UK. All medical practitioners and medicine graduates have high employability prospects in the UK. Other science subjects under skill shortage include:
- Psychology
- Radiography
- Paramedical Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Nursing
See our Medicine Guide for more details.
3. Computer Science
Though it was believed that jobs in the IT sector have saturated, highly specialised graduates in this field are still very much in demand in the UK. The most lucrative specialisations include:
- Data Science
- IT Business Analytics
- Web Designing and Development
- Cybersecurity
See our Computer Science Subject Guide for more details.
4. Mathematics and Actuarial Science
These subjects have been under skill shortage in the UK for a long time now and employment prospects are booming. Courses that can be studied include:
- Actuarial Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
5. Performing Arts
This field is highly competitive and subjects that can be studied as per the skill shortage list include:
- Dance and Choreography
- Music
6. Creative Arts
This is a new and challenging field of study as only the most talented get hired to work in the UK. The subjects that can be pursued in the creative arts include:
- Art and Design
- Graphic Design
- Animation
7. Geology and Earth Sciences
A wide variety of employment opportunities are available in the UK for graduates in these subject areas such as jobs in the oil, gas and petroleum industry, construction, energy and mining, government supported scientific establishments, geology consultancies and research and teaching.
8. Life Sciences and Biosciences
This includes Biological and Biomedical sciences. Other subcategories which are highly in demand in the UK and come under skill shortage include Pharmacology, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics.
See our Life Sciences Guide for more details.
9. Education/Teaching
Employment is available for secondary school teachers in various STEM subjects and specialist trainers and educators dealing with Gaelic and speech and language impairment.
See our Education Studies Guide for more details.
10. Culinary Arts
This is an interesting field to pursue if you have a deep passion and a knack for it. Jobs are available for Hospitality Management graduates and highly experienced and skilled chefs- executive, head and sous and specialist chefs.
Other Subjects
According to the list, other subjects which can provide good employment prospects in the UK include Human Resource Management, Archaeology, Economics and Social Work.
Study Top Courses in the UK
Studying these popular and in-demand subjects in the UK can help you have a long-term future in the country. Book your free consultation with SI-UK India today if you want to apply to the above courses at UK universities.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
