After your study
You may stay in the UK after finishing a course up to the expiry date of their visa (unless the course has finished early, in which case the revised visa expiry date). You may also apply for another visa if they meet the requirements. Below are some of the most popular visas that students can apply for:
Doctorate Extension Scheme (Tier 4)
This route allows PhD graduates to stay and either work or look for work inside the UK for up to a maximum of 12 months after graduation. Graduates are still sponsored by the University but can live and work anywhere in the UK, whilst attending a minimum of two sessions a year arranged by the Immigration & Compliance team. Graduates can also
In order to apply you must:
- Hold a valid Tier 4 (General) student visa to study a PhD course at University of Huddersfield
- Have not yet completed your PhD course and are currently within 60 days before the course completion date (i.e. yet to submit final corrections).
- Have a valid CAS – issued by the University
- Apply for the visa from within the UK
For further information, download the Doctorate Extension Scheme leaflet or attend one of the immigration drop-in sessions (term-time only) on Mon & Wed 1200-1300 and Fri 1100-1200. Ideally you should get in touch with us when your viva date has been agreed.
Related links
Doctorate Extension Scheme leaflet
Factsheet Doctorate Extension Scheme
Start-up Visa
From 5 July 2019 the Start-Up Visa will replace the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur (GE) visa scheme. In addition to a new name, some changes have been made to the entry requirements for the scheme. The scheme remains open to international students with an innovative and viable business idea that they want to put into practice in the UK.
The visa will be granted for 2 years. The visa is not extendable, however you can later switch to the Innovator Visa, which is another brand new scheme (Note: the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route is no longer running).
Please note the University of Huddersfield will provide endorsements under the Start-up Visa scheme to its graduates only.
The University currently has permission to sponsor up to 20 candidates per year under this scheme. The scheme is administered by the International Office (via Immigration & Compliance team) while the assessment of any business idea is conducted by the Enterprise Team (based in the Enterprise Hub). Students who are interested in applying are advised to attend one of the regular information sessions organised by the Careers & Employability Service, in collaboration with the Immigration & Compliance and Enterprise Teams. You can also obtain information about the scheme by attending the Immigration Drop-in Sessions on either Mondays or Fridays. These sessions are organised by the Immigration & Compliance team.
Students interested in the scheme must initially submit an Expression of Interest via the Immigration & Compliance team to be considered for approval by the Enterprise Team. Following an initial assessment by the Enterprise Team, you may be invited to submit a more detailed business plan with cash flow projections. The later part of the process also involves an interview. Email the completed Expression of Interest form (MS Word document) to immigration@hud.ac.uk.
Expression of Interest form could be obtained by emailing the Immigration & Compliance team.
Related links
Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa website
Tier 2 (General)
The Tier 2 (General) visa is for skilled workers to undertake a job in the UK. International students can apply for a Tier 2 visa through a future employer (who must be licensed to employ Tier 2 immigrants) once they have secured a “graduate level” job meeting the Home Office Tier 2 requirements. Students on Tier 2 visa can also undertake study in addition to their job in the UK.
To obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa, the employer must:
- hold a Tier 2 sponsor licence (Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors)
- be able to offer a 'graduate level' job
- issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- offer the minimum applicable salary (currently minimum £20,800 per year)
Please see Tier 2 visa website for more information on this category.
Please note the Immigration & Compliance team is unable to assist students with making visa applications in this category. We can only provide general advice. We also suggest you contact the Careers & Employability Service for more information about graduate career opportunities.
Related links
Tier 2 (General) Visa website
UKVISA website
Tier 5
This Tier 5 route allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to come to the UK through approved schemes to undertake specific types of work for a period of up to a maximum of 2 years.
There are a number of different Tier 5 routes; however, the most common for students will be the Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange (GAE), which is for people coming to the UK to share knowledge, experience and best practice. These could be academics coming to the University of Huddersfield to collaborate with University staff on University-hosted research projects. It also applies to sponsored researchers, who are being paid from a research council or overseas institution to carry out research that will mutually benefit both the individual and their sponsor.
The scheme also benefits students who are looking for short term work experience (up to 12 months) in the UK.
This category must not be used to fill job vacancies or bring unskilled labour to the UK.
See the GOV.UK page for further information on the Tier 5 Scheme.