Graduates around the world are disadvantaging themselves by not studying abroad, says new research from the Council for Industry and Higher Education in the UK.

The Council found that many businesses are looking to recruit graduates who have world experience and a true global awareness. Increasingly, study abroad programmes have become a popular barometer of such traits.

The report found that graduates who had lived, studied and work in another country overseas tended to be more culturally aware and better suited to working within multi-cultural business units. Further, it gives graduate recruits significant opportunity for moving across the globe through their career.

Sadly, the report – titled Global Horizons and the Role of Employers – concludes that students from the UK are simply lacking these skills and at a disadvantage in the international job market. The CIHA has called for better support from funding bodies and the Universities themselves in providing UK students with better study abroad opportunities.

Businesses are also being encouraged to offer more work placements and internships to international students. Government is being lobbied in order to create suitable visa and work permit legislation that would allow the UK to become the world’s choice for international students and international graduate recruits – thus drawing much talent into the UK.

A survey of international graduates as part of the report, showed they think they are more likely to have higher paid jobs at more senior positions and spend less time seeking those jobs either than UK graduates or those in their home country who did not travel to the UK.

Richard Brown, chief executive of the CIHE, said: “The UK can be the preferred worldwide location for mobile students and global recruiters.

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