Employment after study

There are three main visas which allow employment in the UK after studies.  You must check that you meet the requirements for these visas before applying.

Tier 1 (Post Study Work)

The Tier 1 (Post Study Work ) visa is the most common visa for students to apply for.  In June 2008 it replaced the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme and the International Graduate Scheme.  Post Study Work gives a 2 year visa to work in the UK and is open to those who graduate with an HND (from a Scottish institution), a Bachelor's degree, a postgraduate Masters or PhD.  You can make an application for the Post Study Work visa when you have all of the results from your course, inlcluding the results of any dissertation and when you are sure that you can meet the points requirements.

Please note Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas (with the exception of the PGDE) are no longer eligible for Post Study Work. 

There are several documents you MUST show in order to apply for Post Study Work which are:

• a letter from the University which must state all the information required by the Home Office (given on page 15 of the PSW guidance notes).  The letter must be on original University headed paper, an original signature and the stamp of the Department/ University.  The letter must state:
  - the start date of your course
  - the end date of your course
  - the date of award (as defined on page 15 of the Post Study Work guidance notes) this should be the date you were first notified by the University that you had  passed all parts of your course and would  be awarded with the qualification)
  - the expected date of graduation (if you have not already graduated at that point) or the actual date of graduation if  graduation has already taken place.
  a statement that the University holds a Tier 4 licence.
• your original graduation certificate if you have graduated at the time of making the application.
  If you have not yet graduated by the time you apply you must ensure that the letter from the University also includes confirmation of the details of the body awarding the qualification and that the certificate of the award will be issued at the graduation ceremony 
• evidence that you have the required maintenance funds for the appropriate time period, i.e. a minimum of £800 for the three month period prior to making the application.  The account should be in your name and the balance should never fall below £800 for each day of that 3 month period.  You can show statements from two accounts which combine to show a minimum balance of £800 as long as both accounts are in your name.  If you are applying with dependents you will need to show additional funds.
• if you have had full sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency you must get a letter giving their consent for you to remain in the UK for the full two years of the Post Study Work visa. 

If you do not provide these in exactly the format the UK Border Agency ask for then your application will be refused.

Full information including the application form and guidance notes can be found on the UK Border Agency website

If you would like to speak to an Adviser about your application please email internationalstudentsupport@admin.gla.ac.uk

Tier 1 (General)

The Tier 1 (General) category allows highly skilled people to come to, or remain in, the UK to look for work or self-employment opportunities.

Tier 1 visas do not require you to have a sponsor, therefore, you do not need a job offer before you can apply as a highly skilled worker. You must ensure that you meet the points requirements for Tier 1 (General) - points are awarded based on your qualifications, your previous earnings, your UK experience, age, your English language skills and your maintenance funds.

There is a very useful points calculator on the UKBA website which you should use to find out if you meet the requirements for Tier 1 (General).

Further information on Tier 1 (General) can be found on the UKBA webiste.

Tier 2 (Sponsored Skilled Workers)

Tier 2 (General) is for those with a skilled job offer that fills a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.  In order to be able to apply under Tier 2 (General), you must have and employer who can sponsor you under Tier 2 and who can provide you with a valid certificate of sponsorship.  You must then meet the points requirement for Tier 2 (General).

Full information is available on the UKBA website.