Working in the UK after your studies

Many international students hope to work in the UK after they complete their studies. Although remaining in the UK to work is not easy, opportunities are available to qualified international graduates.

How do I find a job?

Finding a job after graduation is always difficult but particularly so for international graduates who will need immigration permission. You should start researching job options early, and have a firm grasp of the different immigration options before you start applying.

For advice on developing your CV and finding a job, you should contact the Careers and Employment Service early on in your course. Their website is full of helpful information, including a section specifically for international students. Careers Advisers can give you one to one advice including help with your CV, where and how to look for a job and interview techniques.

For advice on the immigration options detailed below, contact the International Student Support Office at sid@exeter.ac.uk.  Staff here are the only people at the University of Exeter authorised to give immigration advice.

How do I get a working visa?

There are two main types of working visa, and you may qualify for both.

If you have been offered a highly-specialised job and/or one in a large company, your new employer may be willing to sponsor you for a Tier 2 General visa. They will have to advertise the job externally and be able to prove (using the Resident Labour Market Test) that there is not a UK or EEA citizen as qualified as yourself available for the job. Recent graduates who have leave under Tier 4 General student, or under the Post Study Work scheme and have been working in a specific job for at least 6 months will not need to meet the Resident Labour Market Test if their employer wishes to sponsor them under Tier 2. The employer will also be able to offer you a graduate level job with a minimum annual salary of £20,000. This visa require paperwork and expense on the part of the employer, and many will not want to take the risk on an untried employee. If they do, your visa will be linked to a specific employer and you will not be able to change jobs unless your new employer is also willing to sponsor you under Tier 2. 

Some highly qualified graduates (usually those who have completed a PhD and/or were earning substantial salaries before beginning their studies) may be able to apply for Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) or Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent). You should check the UK Borders Agency Points Calculator to see if you qualify.

What next?

UK immigration is complicated, and the areas of work and study are currently under transition as the new Points-Based System is introduced. You need to do your research early and make sure you have the most up to date guidance when you prepare to make an application.

The UKCISA information sheet Working in the UK after your studies has detailed information about the various options and is kept up to date.

Application forms and official Home Office guidelines are available on the UK Border Agency website.

If you are a current Exeter student or have graduated in the last 6 months, you are welcome to contact the International Student Support Office at sid@exeter.ac.uk with any queries.