Working After Your Studies
After you have completed your studies you can work full time in the UK if you have time left on your student visa.
Once your course has officialy ended and you are simply waiting for your results, you can work full time on a temporary contract until the expiry date of your student visa (up to a maximum of 4 months after your course ended). You cannot engage in business or self employment, take up employment as a professional sportsperson or entertainer or pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy.
Tier 1 Post-Study Work Scheme (PSW)
The Tier 1 Post Study Work scheme (PSW) closed to all new applications on 6th April 2012.
Tier 2 (General) visas
Due to the closure of the Tier 1 PSW Scheme, UKBA have introduced new provisions allowing graduates to apply under Tier 2 (General).
Tier 2 (General ) is open to graduates with a UK Bachelor's or Master's Degree (or completed at least 12 months of a PhD) from a registered UK institution. The normal Tier 2 (General) requirments have been relaxed to allow graduates greater opportunity to apply.
- Applicants must have an offer of a position from an employer who is a registered sponsor, with a salary of at least £20,000 (in most cases).
- Employers must provide applicants with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Employers do not have to complete a Residence Labour Market Test (RLMT) when employing graduates (final confirmation of award from Univeristy required) or if position appears on the 'Shortage Occupation List'.
- Applicants must fulfil the maintenance requirement for the application. See UKBA Tier 2 Policy Guidance.
For further information about the Tier 2 (General) scheme and how to apply, visit the UKBA webpages and the Tier 2 Policy Guidance.
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme allows graduates who have been identified by the University as having innovative ideas, to stay in the UK after their studies to establish a business of their own.
- The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) requirements have been relax to allow graduates greater opportunity under the scheme
- Open to graduates who have been identified by the University and having innovitave business ideas
- Graduates applying will be sponsored by the University
- Applicants must also meet the maintenance requirement. See the UKBA Policy Guidance for details.
Durham University will participate in the scheme, however, details are not yet available. Details will appear on this web page as soon as they become available.
Further information
Information about working in the UK after your studies is also available from UKCISA