Go Global with Your Studies and Watch Your Career Take Off
When Heriot-Watt, the leading UK University, opened its overseas campuses in Dubai and then here in Malaysia, it confirmed its commitment to produce high quality, resilient graduates who can compete and excel in a competitive global workplace.
Today’s students have access to more opportunities and choices as to how and where they study than any preceding generation. Those graduating from Heriot-Watt University this summer include students who have enjoyed a diverse learning experience delivered across three different continents, and five campuses. This opportunity to experience different cultures and countries, learn and improve language skills whilst enjoying the support of the same pioneering institution, enables these graduates to find employment faster and progress quicker in their careers.
A survey of international graduates conducted by the UK Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) concluded that international businesses are increasingly seeking graduates who have a global awareness and have confirmed that those who have studied overseas are offered higher paying jobs at more senior positions with less time spent seeking those jobs. Keith Dugdale, director of global recruitment at KPMG, contributed to the report. “KPMG like many other UK firms recruit globally. We want the best wherever they may be. They will have to work with global clients and mix with a range of people from different cultures. They have to be at home with cultural differences.”
Will Archer, director of i-graduate, which undertook a survey of over 15,000 graduates, supports this position, “This research is a wake-up call for students and parents. You’ll get further in life if you travel overseas to study or gain work experience. In today’s turbulent times it is more important than ever for every graduate to demonstrate an international dimension to their thinking, and there is no better way to demonstrate this than to study or work overseas for a period.”
Asia Careers Group recently released its Employability Report on Returning Malaysian Graduates from the UK. Director Louise Nicol commented that, “Overseas graduates are highly valued by the leading Multinational & ASEAN companies. They find the communication, adaptability & problem solving skills gained whilst overseas bring huge benefit to an employer.”
In an era of increasing global competition for jobs, graduates who study at home miss out on international experience, improved language capabilities and cross-cultural communication skills necessary to succeed in leading global business. Learning how to work with people from other countries and cultures equips future leaders in all sectors to address urgent issues shared across borders, and work with others to find solutions to challenges the world will face in the 21st century.
The rise of Transnational Education (TNE), which has seen Malaysia become a global leader, now enables more students to access a UK qualification without actually having to go overseas. This continues to provide an incredible opportunity for lots of students who cannot afford to travel. However, globalisation is here to stay and so students who wish to work in this interconnected global world still need to study abroad.
TNE is growing significantly in popularity and British students are also enjoying opportunities to travel overseas to increase their employability skills, cultural experiences and language development. Sarah Tate, Head of Student Recruitment and Marketing at Heriot-Watt Campus in Malaysia believes the increased opportunity to study abroad is one of the most exciting developments in Higher Education. “Malaysian students studying at our Heriot-Watt campus in Putrajaya study alongside students from over 50 nationalities, and our largest number of international students are now British students coming out to Asia. Our GO GLOBAL programme within the University encourages and supports students from our five campuses to travel and study overseas. Our students understand that this experience gives them a competitive advantage over other graduates who stay and only study in the UK.”
Subsequently students who study overseas are more culturally aware, meaning they are able to work with and manage multicultural teams. They also prove to employers that they are flexible and prepared to move across the world to support their professional development. These attributes are very desirable to employers and this is why graduates can gain higher level positions with improved salaries and access more opportunities in their careers.
The unexpected benefit to students taking the TNE route is that it can also significantly reduce the cost of an overseas education. Students who complete the first two years of undergraduate study at the Malaysia campus can then progress to the UK to complete a final year of study with reduced fees. This means they can often afford to stay and complete a postgraduate year of study as well. Taking this route costs the same as travelling straight to the UK to complete just three years of undergraduate study. TNE students therefore get more choice and lower fees, and they appreciate difference and diversity first hand. This increases their employability, enabling them to become resilient pioneers in industry and global leaders of the future.
10 reasons to consider studying overseas:
- It looks good on your CV as employers look for students who are not afraid of challenges and can adapt to change.
- Enables you to develop your language skills either studying alongside native speakers or meeting other international students.
- You get to meet and study alongside a diverse range of people and culture and prepares you for the workplace of the 21st century.
- Helps students build resilience and become independent and self-sufficient by allowing them to make their own choices.
- Develop a global mindset and understanding of different cultures.
- Enjoy life-changing experiences and opportunities to travel – studying in the UK and explore Europe, and study in Dubai and explore the Middle East.
- Make friends globally and increase opportunities for future travel and to work overseas.
- Take advantage of lower tuition fees enjoying a discount of 20% when you progress overseas.
- Increase your international job prospects by showing employers you can live and thrive overseas.
- New experiences are what make life worth living!
What are you waiting for?
To find out more on the university’s foundation and undergraduate programmes, its Go Global inter-campus transfer programme, as well as other programmes or scholarships on offer, visit its campus in Putrajaya during its Open Days or during consultation hours which are from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, log on to www.hw.edu.my or call +603 8894 3888/e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk.
