Once you have completed your course you are able to work up to your visa expiry date. You must ensure that you leave the UK by your visa expiry date to ensure you do not become an overstayer.
There may be opportunities available for you to gain work experience in the UK. Below are some types of visas that you may be eligible for that will allow you to work in the UK after you graduate:
Start-up visa
The Start-up visa scheme is aimed at people who wish to establish a business in the UK. The University of Sunderland is one of the UK higher education institutions authorised to endorse a limited number of Start-up visas per year. To be considered for the Start-up visa you must first contact the University of Sunderland’s Enterprise Place team. There is a formal application process, and your business plan will be assessed to decide if your proposal can be endorsed. You need to contact the Enterprise Place team a minimum three months prior to your Tier 4 (General)/Student Route visa expiry date if you intend to apply. Our International Student Support (ISS) team would support your switch to Start-up visa application if your business proposal is approved and endorsed.
Innovator visa
You can apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up or run a business in the UK. The University of Sunderland is not an Innovator visa endorsing body and therefore we cannot support you with an application for this visa type. For more information, please visit the Home Office website.
Skilled Worker visa
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to do an eligible job in the UK with an employer approved by the Home Office. This visa type replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. For more information, please visit the Home Office website.
Graduate Route Visa
The Graduate Route visa is a new work route for those who have a degree or other relevant qualification from an approved UK higher education provider.
For more information, please visit the University of Sunderland’s International Student Support (ISS) website. Alternatively, you can submit a Compass enquiry and an ISS Adviser will help you.
Published: 15 July 2021