Why Salary & Sponsorship Are the Big Question for International Graduates

For international students aiming to stay and work in the UK after graduation, one phrase dominates the conversation: “visa sponsorship”. The challenge? As of 2024–2025, the Skilled Worker visa minimum salary threshold has risen to £38,900 (Home Office, 2024).

That’s not just a number — it’s a filter. Employers willing to sponsor graduates must now ensure that their offers meet or exceed this figure. For marketing graduates, where starting salaries can vary widely, this creates both pressure and opportunity.

This guide breaks down:

• What the new £38,900 rule means.
• Which marketing roles and employers can realistically offer sponsorship.
• How to position your CV and salary negotiations with this in mind.
• Scripts and strategies (inspired by MiGreat, Brian Tracy, and recruiter feedback).

1. The New Sponsorship Salary Rule in 2025

The UK Home Office updated the Skilled Worker visa threshold in April 2024:

• General threshold: £38,900 (or £23,040 for shortage occupations).
• Marketing roles: Not officially on shortage lists, so graduates must target roles paying above £38,900.
• Exemptions: Some entry-level schemes may use “new entrant” rates (£30,960), but these are temporary and only apply for under-26s or certain shortage lists.

For marketing graduates: this means that entry-level internships or £24K–£28K roles won’t qualify for sponsorship. You need to strategically apply for graduate programmes, large agencies, and corporate roles where salaries are higher.

Stat: According to MiGreat (2025), 62% of UK sponsorships for marketing graduates came from large employers and multinational agencies (WPP, Omnicom, Dentsu, Accenture Interactive).

2. What This Means for Marketing Graduates

The reality:

• Small companies (start-ups, SMEs) rarely sponsor because salaries sit at £25K–£32K.
• Large agencies, consultancies, and tech companies are your best bet. These firms run graduate intakes starting at £39K–£45K.
• Client-side corporate roles (FMCG, finance, tech, pharma) are increasingly offering marketing roles at £40K+.

Action Point: When job-hunting, always check:

• “Does this employer appear on the Home Office Sponsor List?”
• “Does the job ad mention ‘visa sponsorship available’ or ‘eligible for Skilled Worker’?”

3. How to Position Your CV for Sponsorship Roles

Recruiters scan CVs in seconds. If you’re an international graduate, your CV must signal eligibility upfront.

✅ Add a CV header line: “Eligible for Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship.”
✅ Highlight metrics & ROI: Employers justify higher salaries when they see impact. E.g., “Boosted campaign ROI 3.5:1” or “Reduced CPC by 22%.”
✅ Target graduate schemes: WPP, Accenture, Unilever, Diageo, Deloitte Digital, all of whom hire at £39K+.

Pro Tip from Recruiters (HBR, 2024): Employers don’t want to guess. Spell out your sponsorship eligibility, so they can immediately shortlist you instead of worrying about compliance.

4. Salary Negotiation Scripts (for Sponsorship Roles)

Many graduates fear negotiation, but sponsorship jobs often expect you to show confidence and value. Use polite but firm phrasing:

Script Example 1 – Post-Offer:
“Thank you for the offer. I’m excited about the role. I understand the Skilled Worker threshold is £38,900, and given the campaigns I’ve managed with £120K budgets and 42% event growth, I believe this is a fair benchmark for my skills.”

Script Example 2 – Pre-Application:
“I wanted to confirm — does this role qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship? I have direct experience in SEO, PPC, and event marketing campaigns that delivered ROI above 3:1. I’d love to bring that impact here.”

Brian Tracy (Negotiation Success) notes that “those who ask, win 70% more often than those who don’t.”

5. Top Employers Sponsoring Marketing Roles (2025)

Based on MiGreat data and recruiter insights, here are the top categories:

• Marketing Agencies (Global Groups): WPP, Omnicom, Dentsu, Publicis.
• Big 4 Consultancies (Digital & Brand Divisions): Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG.
• Tech Firms: Google, Amazon, Meta, TikTok.
• FMCG/Corporate: Unilever, Diageo, L’Oréal, P&G.

Bookmark the Home Office Sponsor List  or UKTier2 updated monthly.

6. Action Plan: Securing Sponsorship in 2025

1. Filter jobs — Only apply to firms that meet the £38,900 rule.
2. Optimise CV & LinkedIn — add sponsorship eligibility + impact metrics.
3. Network smartly — reach alumni at WPP, Accenture, Unilever, etc.
4. Negotiate confidently — use scripts and cite the salary threshold.
5. Track applications — use a Job Tracker Excel (Stage 1: Applied → Stage 4: Offer).

Conclusion

The new £38,900 sponsorship rule is not a blocker — it’s a filter. The right graduates who align with high-paying roles, strong CVs, and confident negotiation skills will succeed.

Download OTINGA’s Free Sponsorship Pack now — includes:

• CV optimisation checklist
• Top 100 UK marketing sponsors (2025)
• Job tracker Excel
• Negotiation & networking scripts