International student support

Check your visa conditions

Before starting any work, check your:

• visa decision email
• digital visa status

This will confirm your work permissions.

Working after your course ends

If your visa states:

• “Work 20 hours max in term time”

You can work full-time once:

• you have completed your course, and
• the course end date on your CAS has passed

Your Student visa work conditions continue to apply until your visa expiry date.

Important clarification

You do not need to:

• have graduated, or
• received your final award

to start working full-time.

You only need to be able to prove your course has been completed. Your end date of study can be found on your CAS. 

Work not permitted

On a Student visa, you must not:

• be self-employed or run a business
• work as a professional sportsperson or coach
• work as an entertainer
• take a permanent full-time role before your course has ended

If your visa states “No work”, you cannot work in the UK.

Proving your right to work

Your employer will carry out a right to work check. You may need to provide:

• your passport and visa - eVisa digital status
• a share code (if required)
• proof of your course completion/end date of study (e.g. Certifying Letter, CAS, letter from your School)

The University cannot confirm your right to work directly to employers.

Switching to a work visa

If you apply for a new visa (e.g. Graduate Route or Skilled Worker visa):

• you must apply before your current visa expires
• while your application is pending, you remain under Student visa work conditions

If you apply for the Graduate Route in time, you can:

• work full-time, including in permanent roles, while waiting for a decision

Further information

UKCISA information on working after studies

UKVI's Student Guidance

Immigration Rules (Appendix Student) 

Please read the Graduate Visa information on our webpages, including our online guide, which covers:

• The eligibility requirements you need to meet to apply
• When you can apply
• How to apply

The UKCISA webpage has a useful summary of work after study immigration options.