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Post-study work

Tier 2….the new route for Post Study Work (PSW)

The new work visa option for graduates is known as Tier 2. So, once you have finished your course and accepted your new job, you will need to apply for your work visa. This applies to all non EU nationals who are to work in the UK and employers will be very aware of the procedures to follow.

Tier 2 offers you more security as your employer will need to “sponsor” you, so your employment is secure for the duration of your visa. The new visa also guarantees that you will receive a “graduate” level wage and not just the legal minimum wage.

The new rules allow you four months of job searching after your course has finished, plus up to two years after this. The four months should be added to your final year of study as we expect you to begin applying for graduate level jobs at the start of your final year, or at the beginning of your course for Master’s programmes.

The Careers Service at the University is a great source of support for careers advice, and they help you with your CV and any job applications. The Careers Service also has a “Job Shop”:

If you are a student at undergraduate level, each school has a placement unit that helps students who want to get one year of industrial experience in the middle of their course to do so. Evidence shows that this makes you more employable as a graduate and often helps you to achieve a better degree classification.

So, how likely is it that as an international student you will be able to get a Tier 2 visa? The answer is very likely. In June 2010 the University surveyed recent international graduates and 87% of them were either working or studying. For those who were working, the average UK salary was £20,625, which was above the required amount to obtain a Tier 2 visa.