Please note wherever this guidance refers to a ‘Student route’ visa, this also includes anyone who currently holds a valid Tier 4 General visa.
Students who complete their course on a Student Route visa must leave the UK before their visa expires, or if eligible, switch to another type of visa before the expiry date. This section of the website provides information on visa options currently available once you’ve completed your course.
Graduate route
Students who successfully complete a degree in the UK may be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route visa so they can work or look for work in the UK for up to 2 years. Those who complete a PhD can apply to spend 3 years in the UK on the Graduate Route.
To qualify for a Graduate Route visa, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- You can only apply for a Graduate Route visa from within the UK;
- You must have a valid Tier 4 or Student Route visa;
- You must have successfully completed a UK bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree during the validity of your most recent Tier 4 or Student visa;
- Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are not eligible courses.
- You must meet the ‘Study in the UK’ requirement;
- Your partner or children can apply to stay as your dependent if they're already in the UK as your dependent under the Tier 4 or Student route. If they remained outside the UK during your course, they cannot come to the UK to join you under the Graduate route as your dependent.
- You cannot extend this visa but may be able to switch to other visa types such as Skilled Worker, if you meet the requirements.
- There will be an application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge to pay when submitting an application.
You can find further information on the UKCISA website.
Graduation ceremonies
If your Student Route visa has expired or you have left the country once your course is finished, you must apply for a suitable visa (e.g. Standard Visitor visa) to return to the UK and attend your graduation ceremony.
Learn more in our factsheet: Graduation ceremonies and visas (PDF 1.06MB)
Start-up visa (the scheme is closed for new applicants)
The Start-Up visa has been replaced with the Innovator Founder visa; UAL is not a sponsor for applicants to this scheme.
If you currently hold a UAL-endorsed Start-up visa or Innovator visa, you should liaise with UAL Careers and Enterprise to discuss whether you meet the criteria for extending your visa and/or switching to the Innovator Founder visa.
Learn more on the UK Government websites.
Skilled Worker visa (previously known as Tier 2 General)
For students and graduates who have a job offer. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
Conditions
You must have been offered a skilled job by an employer holding a skilled worker sponsor licence and a salary at least £30,960 per year (conditions apply) unless the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than this.
How to apply
You can switch to this type of visa before your Student visa expires, or you can apply from outside the UK (providing you meet the relevant criteria).
Learn more on the UK Government and UKCISA websites.
Student visa for Sabbatical officers
Current students and recent graduates with a Student Route visa that permits them to work can undertake a full-time sabbatical officer position.
Conditions
Initially up to 1 year, with the possibility of extending it for 1 further year if you are re-elected.
How to apply
You can switch to this type of visa before your Student visa expires, or you can apply from outside the UK (provided you meet the eligibility criteria).
Learn more on the UKCISA website.
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa
For students and graduates who want to study, work, run a business or just experience life in the UK.
Conditions
- You must be aged 18-35 if you are a national from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Korea; or
- You must be aged 18-30 if you are a national in Andorra, Iceland, Hong Kong*, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Taiwan*, or Uruguay. British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) can also apply.
How to apply
From outside the UK only.
*You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot (in your country) before you can apply for the visa.
Learn more on the UK Government and UKCISA websites.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange) visa
For graduates willing to take part in work placement schemes.
Conditions
Up to 2 years. You need to take part in one of the UK-government-approved work placement schemes.
How to apply
You can switch to this type of visa before your Student visa expires, or you can apply from outside the UK.
Learn more on the UK Government and UKCISA websites.
UK Ancestry visa
For Commonwealth citizens planning to work in the UK.
Conditions
You need to prove that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or one of the circumstances listed on the UK Government website.
It can be granted for 5 years initially, with the possibility of extending it for another 5 years.
How to apply
From outside the UK only.
Learn more on the UK Government and UKCISA websites.
Partner of someone settled in the UK
For people who wish to join or remain with their partner in the UK.
Conditions
Your partner must have specific immigration permission (as detailed on the UK Government website) to be in the UK.
Learn more on the UK Government website.
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