Working in the UK after studies
Student visa holders: working after your studies
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. If you complete your course before the date on your CAS, you may wish to request a letter from your School confirming the date you completed all study for your employer.
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
Immigration Rules (Appendix Student)
National Insurance Number
A National Insurance (NI) number is used to record your tax and National Insurance contributions when you work in the UK.
Who can apply?
You can apply for a National Insurance number if:
- your visa allows you to work in the UK, and
- you plan to work in the UK
You must apply after you arrive in the UK.
How to apply
- Apply online via the GOV.UK website
- As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity
- this may be done online, by uploading documents, or by attending an appointment
When will I receive my NI number?
Once your identity has been confirmed:
- it usually takes up to 4 weeks to receive your National Insurance number
- in some cases, it may take longer
Can I start work before I receive it?
Yes. You can start working before you receive your NI number, as long as you can prove your right to work in the UK.
Important information
- There is no fee to apply for a National Insurance number
Further information
- Visit the GOV.UK website for full details and to apply
Graduate Visa
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
Skilled Worker
Overview
The Skilled Worker visa allows you to work in the UK after your studies if you have:
- a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
- a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from that employer
- a job that meets the required skill and salary levels
Your employer will usually support you with the visa process.
Switching from a Student visa
You can usually apply for a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK if you currently hold a valid Student visa.
To apply, you must meet one of the following:
You have completed your course
- You have finished the course linked to your Student visa
You are close to completing your course
- You are studying a full-time degree (or above), and
- your job start date is after your course end date
PhD students
- You can apply after 24 months of your PhD, and
- your job start date meets visa requirements
Important to know
- You must apply before your Student visa expires
- Your job must meet salary and skill requirements set by UKVI
- Your employer must be on the licensed sponsor list
Support and advice
International Student Support can provide general guidance, but:
- we cannot check visa applications
- your employer (as your sponsor) should support you with the process
Useful links and resources:
UKVI Skilled Worker visa information
Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker
Innovator Founder / Start-up visa
Please note: The Start-up route closed on 13 July 2023. If you hold a Start-Up visa endorsed by UoG and have queries about your visa, please contact International Student Support with these.
The Start-Up visa route was for those who wished to establish a business in the UK and had a business plan endorsed by an authorised body approved by the Home Office (such as UoG). University of Glasgow offered endorsements (until the closure of the visa route) and business development support for the Start-Up visa route to our students and graduates.
Useful links and resources:
UKVI Start-up visa information
Appendix Start-up (Immigration Rules)
Innovator Founder visa:
The Innovator Founder visa replaced the Start-Up visa route - please note that UoG is not an endorsing body for the Innovator Founder route.
The Innovator Founder visa is for migrants either seeking to start a business in the UK, or for those with existing businesses endorsed by an approved body. Existing Start-Up visa holders may consider switching to this visa route.
While ISS cannot offer advice on applying for this visa type or a visa application check, please see the information below:
Innovator Founder information:
UKVI: Innovator Founder information
UKVI: Immigration Rules - Appendix Innovator Founder
Other visa categories and useful links
UKCISA have a useful summary of other work after study immigration options. Please note that International Student Support can only offer general information and guidance about these other visa categories and cannot offer advice or a visa application check.
The Scotland.org webpage has some great information to help you if your Student Visa is ending and you want to say in Scotland after completing your studies.