Study globally for a successful career
WHEN leading UK university Heriot-Watt opened its overseas campuses in Dubai and in Malaysia, it confirmed its commitment to produce highquality, resilient graduates who can compete and excel globally.
Students today have access to more opportunities and choices of how and where to study than any preceding generations.
Those graduating from HeriotWatt University this summer include students whom have enjoyed diverse learning experiences delivered across three different continents and five campuses.
Such experiences of different cultures and countries, learning and improving language skills while enjoying the support of the same pioneering institution enables them 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 with global awareness
They also confirmed that those who studied abroad are offered higher paying jobs at more senior positions with less time spent seeking those jobs.
Director of global recruitment at KPMG Keith Dugdale said: “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.”
Director Will Archer of i-graduate, the company that undertook a survey of over 15,000 graduates, added that it is more important nowadays than ever for a 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, “Overseas graduates are highly valued by the leading Multinational and Asean companies. They find the communication, adaptability and problem-solving skills overseas bring them huge benefits 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 crosscultural 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, 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.
Head of Student Recruitment and Marketing at Heriot-Watt campus in Malaysia Sarah Tate 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,” said Tate.
“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.”
Students who study overseas are more culturally aware, as 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 highly desirable to employers and the reason 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 Malaysian 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 then get more choices 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:
1. It looks good on your CV as employers look for students who are not afraid of challenges and can adapt to change.
2. Enables you to develop language skills, either studying alongside native speakers or meeting other international students.
3. Meet and study with a diverse range of people and cultures and prepares you for the 21st century workplace.
4. Helps students build resilience, independence and self-sufficiency by allowing them to make their own choices.
5. Develop a global mindset and understanding of different cultures.
6. Enjoy life-changing experiences and opportunities to travel – studying in the UK and explore Europe, while studying in Dubai and go visit countries in the Middle East.
7. Make friends globally and increase opportunities for future travel and work overseas.
8. Take advantage of lower tuition fees enjoying a discount of 20% when you progress overseas.
9. Increase your international job prospects by showing employers you can live and thrive overseas.
10. New experiences are what make life worth living.
■ For details on the foundation and undergraduate programmes scholarships on offer, and more, visit the campus in Putrajaya during Open Days, July 14 and 15, or during consultation hours from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, log on to http://www.hw.edu.my/ or call 03-8894 3888, e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk