The is the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme and it is totally dependant from the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

A proposal to introduce a new Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS) was announced in the Chancellor's Budget Report on 9 April 2003. The scheme will be launched by the end of October.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage non-European Economic Area (EEA) national science and engineering graduates of UK universities to pursue careers in the United Kingdom. Graduates of UK educational institutions with good degrees in an approved subject will be able to remain in the United Kingdom and work for 1 year after completing their studies. There are no restrictions on the type of paid work you can do as a SEGS participant.

The scheme will be fully introduced by late October and to be granted leave under the scheme, applicants must:

* Have successfully completed, with second class honours (2.2) or higher, a recognised science or engineering degree course, Masters course or PhD (see 'How do I know if my course is eligible?') at an UK institution of Higher or Further Education.

* Intend to work during the period of leave granted under the scheme

* Be able to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds;

* Intend to leave the UK at the end of their stay (unless granted leave as a work permit holder, highly skilled migrant, business person or innovator)

You can stay in the United Kingdom for one year as a SEGS participant. We will count any time you spend outside the United Kingdom during that period as part of the year.

The application form for SEGS will be available on the IND website, www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk when the scheme is launched. Applications will cost £155 for a postal application, £250 for the premium service.

Applicants may either switch in-country from student status or return to the UK from abroad no later than one year after they completed their course. Entry clearance is mandatory for those returning to the UK under the scheme. SEGS participants will be eligible to switch in-country into employment and self-employment categories (work permit employment, Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, business persons or Innovators), providing they meet the requirements of the category. Spouses, unmarried partners and children of students will be eligible to switch in line with the SEGS applicant. If they are applying from abroad, entry clearance is mandatory.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has created a list of eligible Science and Engineering courses. The list focuses on the subjects and skills that the Roberts Review identified as being in short supply. Only those who have studied approved courses are eligible to apply for leave under the scheme. Approved courses are identified by their Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Code, so you will need to check that your course has the right code. This list is available on our website www.workingintheuk.gov.uk under the Schemes and Programmes section.

Applicants should provide their degree certificate to show that they have successfully completed their course. However applicants who have their result confirmed, but are awaiting graduation, may instead provide a letter from their personal tutor confirming that they have completed the course at the required level, providing the HESA code for the course. Your personal tutor or another member of your university's staff will be able to provide you with your course's HESA code.