International students may be able to work in the UK during their studies, subject to the conditions on their Student visa. After successfully completing an eligible course, they may apply for a Graduate visa from inside the UK. The Graduate visa lasts two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Doctoral graduates can receive three years. The Graduate route is unsponsored, but it does not lead directly to settlement. Check your visa conditions and plan finances without relying on uncertain part-time earnings.
Working in the UK after study usually involves applying for the Graduate visa after completing an eligible UK course. This is separate from the restricted work permission some students have during their studies on a Student visa. The Graduate route allows eligible graduates to work or look for work without an employer sponsoring the visa, but it cannot be extended. Graduates who want to remain longer may be able to switch to another immigration route, such as Skilled Worker, if they meet its requirements.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → Work in UK after study
For Indian students and families planning a UK degree, understanding work permissions is an important part of budgeting and course selection. There are three separate stages to consider: permitted work during the course, the Graduate visa after successful completion, and the possibility of switching to a different visa later. Global Edge, counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, can help students assess course options and plan their next steps through a SPEC9 profile evaluation. Start with the Study in UK hub.
Can you work while you study, and still work in the UK after study?
Can international students work while studying in the UK?
Some international students can work during their studies, but the permitted hours depend on their course, study level and sponsor. A full-time degree-level student sponsored by an eligible higher education provider with a track record of compliance can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time. The usual term-time limit for eligible full-time below-degree study is 10 hours per week. Other study, including part-time study, generally does not permit employment. Student visa holders are generally prohibited from self-employment and business activity, subject to a limited rule-based exception.
| Situation | Usual work condition | Official basis |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time degree-level or above course with an eligible higher education provider | Up to 20 hours a week during term-time; full-time outside term-time | Appendix Student ST 26.1 |
| Eligible full-time below-degree course with a qualifying higher education provider | Up to 10 hours a week during term-time; full-time outside term-time | Appendix Student ST 26.1 |
| Part-time study or other study not covered by the permitted-work categories | No employment permitted under the usual Student work conditions | Appendix Student ST 26.1 |
| Assessed work placement forming an integral part of an eligible course | May be permitted if the placement meets the Immigration Rules | Appendix Student ST 17 and ST 26.2 |
| Self-employment or business activity | Generally prohibited, subject to the specific exception in ST 26.8 | Appendix Student ST 26.5 and ST 26.8 |
Appendix Student ST 26 sets out the employment conditions for Student visa holders. The permitted hours depend on the type and level of study and the sponsor. The rules also restrict self-employment, business activity, professional sports work and certain permanent full-time roles. Students should check the conditions attached to their own permission and confirm term dates and sponsor status with their education provider.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Student, ST 26 | GOV.UK — Appendix Student
“You may be able to work — how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.”
Source: UKVI — Student visa | GOV.UK — Student visa
For the broader application process, read UK Student Visa for Indian Students. Do not assume that potential part-time earnings replace the funds required for a Student visa application. Review the official Student visa money requirements and budget for living costs independently of any job you may find.
What happens to your hours once the course ends?
What happens to work rights after graduation?
Completing your course does not automatically grant unrestricted work permission. Eligible students can apply for a Graduate visa from within the UK after their education provider has reported successful course completion to the Home Office, and before their Student permission expires. The Graduate visa application must be made while the applicant is in the UK. Until a new permission is granted, follow the conditions of your current visa and the applicable rules for a pending application.
The Graduate visa is available to eligible applicants who are in the UK, hold Student or Tier 4 (General) permission, have completed an eligible course for the required period, and have had their successful completion reported to the Home Office by their education provider. It lasts two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applicants with a PhD or other doctoral qualification can receive three years. The visa cannot be extended, although an eligible person may be able to switch to another route.
Source: UKVI — Graduate visa | GOV.UK — Graduate visa
On a Graduate visa, eligible graduates can generally work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and undertake voluntary work. Restrictions still apply, including a prohibition on working as a professional sportsperson. These conditions differ from the Student visa, so students should not assume that an activity permitted after graduation is also permitted during their course.
| Stage | Work permission | Employer sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| During the course on a Student visa | Only the work allowed by the visa conditions, including any applicable weekly-hour limits | Not generally required for permitted Student employment |
| After successful completion, once Graduate permission is granted | Most jobs, job-seeking and self-employment are generally permitted, subject to route conditions | No — the Graduate route is unsponsored |
| After the Graduate visa ends | Depends on the next immigration permission granted | A Skilled Worker application generally requires an eligible job offer from a licensed sponsor |
Graduate job listings do not themselves provide immigration permission. A job offer is not required to apply for a Graduate visa, but a graduate who wants to remain in the UK after that visa expires will need to qualify for another route. For example, the Skilled Worker route has its own job, sponsorship, occupation and salary requirements. Review the relevant rules before relying on a prospective job as a long-term immigration plan.
Myth: Part-time work during a UK master’s degree will cover living costs and reduce the amount of money needed for the visa application.
Reality: Student visa financial requirements apply independently of whether a student expects to find work. Part-time employment is not guaranteed, and permitted hours are capped. Students and families should make a realistic budget for tuition, accommodation, living costs and other expenses without depending on uncertain earnings.
How the Graduate Route works if you want to work in the UK after study
How does the Graduate Route work in practice?
Eligible graduates apply online from inside the UK after their education provider has reported successful course completion. They must apply before their Student permission expires. The published Graduate visa application fee is £937, plus the immigration health surcharge, which is calculated according to the length of permission. GOV.UK states that applicants usually receive a decision within eight weeks after completing the required application steps. Check the official fee and processing information before applying, as these details can change.
Eligibility, course requirements and the conditions for switching to another visa are explained in UK Graduate Visa: What Indian Students Need to Know Before Choosing a Course. The announced duration change is covered in UK Graduate Visa Changes: 2 Years vs 18 Months Explained. For broader country-level planning, see Study in UK Visa Changes.
- Choose an eligible course and check that the education provider and course meet the current Graduate route requirements.
- Check the course-specific study and eligibility conditions, including any required period of study in the UK.
- Complete the course successfully and confirm with the university when it will report completion to the Home Office.
- Apply online for the Graduate visa from inside the UK before your Student permission expires.
- Pay the application fee and applicable healthcare surcharge, and complete the identity and document requirements.
- Follow the conditions of your existing permission while the application is pending. Check the rules that apply to your circumstances rather than assuming all work restrictions have ended.
- Use the Graduate period to gain experience, seek suitable employment or explore another immigration route if you intend to remain in the UK longer.
The Graduate route is unsponsored and is not a route to settlement. It cannot be extended. Eligible graduates may, however, be able to switch to another immigration route, such as Skilled Worker, if they satisfy that route’s requirements. A Graduate visa is generally a one-time grant, so students should plan their next steps before it expires.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate | GOV.UK — Appendix Graduate
If you want to compare UK course options with your academic profile, budget and career plans, Global Edge can help you review those factors through a SPEC9 profile evaluation. Immigration eligibility and visa decisions remain subject to the official rules and UKVI assessment.
What Indian students should plan if they want to work in the UK after study
A UK master’s degree can be an important academic and career step, but students should understand the timing of their course, visa and job search. For courses beginning in 2026, the date on which a Graduate visa application is made determines whether the two-year or 18-month duration applies. A student whose course ends close to the changeover should check the expected completion-reporting date and Student visa expiry date with their university.
Build career preparation into the study plan: update your CV, develop relevant skills, use university careers services and research employers in your field. A part-time job may provide income and experience where permitted, but it should not be treated as guaranteed employment or a substitute for meeting visa financial requirements. Review Cost of Studying in UK and Education Loans for UK Studies when preparing a budget, and confirm current figures before making financial commitments.
Family plans also need individual checking. Whether a partner or child can accompany or remain with a student depends on the applicable dependant rules and the student’s course and circumstances. Graduate route dependant eligibility is also conditional; it is not an automatic entitlement for every family member. Check the current official guidance before making decisions about dependants.
Think of the post-study period as a limited planning window rather than a guaranteed job-search extension. Work backwards from your course completion date, expected university reporting timeline and visa expiry. Consider what you would do if you do not secure a suitable role during the Graduate period, and avoid basing a major loan or relocation decision on an assumed job offer or future visa switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in the UK after study on the Student visa alone?
Student visa work permission is limited by the conditions attached to that visa. After completing your course, you do not automatically receive unrestricted work permission. If you qualify for the Graduate route, you must apply from inside the UK after your education provider has reported successful completion and before your Student permission expires.
How many hours can I work during a UK master’s degree?
Many full-time degree-level students sponsored by a qualifying higher education provider can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time. Your own permission and course circumstances matter, so confirm the applicable conditions with your university and check your visa details.
Do part-time earnings count towards Student visa funds?
Do not assume that expected part-time earnings can replace the funds required for a Student visa application. The financial requirements must be met under the applicable rules, and a job or number of weekly shifts is not guaranteed. Check the current GOV.UK financial requirements before applying.
Can I freelance while studying and then work in the UK after study?
Student visa holders are generally not allowed to be self-employed or engage in business activity, except where a specific exception in the Immigration Rules applies. The Graduate route generally permits self-employment after it has been granted. Check the exact conditions before accepting freelance work, running a business or undertaking paid activity.
Is a job offer required for the Graduate visa?
No. The Graduate route is unsponsored, so a job offer is not required to apply. Applicants must still meet the route’s eligibility requirements, apply from inside the UK, and have their successful course completion reported by their education provider before their Student permission expires.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Graduate visa?
The Graduate visa lasts two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Applicants with a PhD or other doctoral qualification can receive three years. Check the current official guidance before applying.
Does the Graduate visa lead to settlement?
No. The Graduate route is not a route to settlement and cannot be extended. An eligible graduate may be able to switch to another route, such as Skilled Worker, but that is a separate application with its own requirements.
Can my spouse or children join me in the UK after graduation?
Dependant eligibility is subject to specific rules and individual circumstances. Some people who already hold dependant permission as the Student’s dependants may be eligible to apply as Graduate dependants, while other applicants may not qualify. Check the current Graduate visa guidance and the rules for your family’s situation before making plans.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: Working in the UK after study commonly involves the Graduate visa, which lasts two years for applications made by 31 December 2026, or 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. Doctoral graduates can receive three years.
- Takeaway 2: During a course, permitted work hours depend on study level, sponsor and visa conditions. Self-employment is generally prohibited on a Student visa.
- Takeaway 3: The Graduate route is unsponsored but temporary, cannot be extended and does not itself lead to settlement.
- Takeaway 4: Plan tuition, living expenses and loan repayments without relying on uncertain part-time earnings or assuming a future job offer.
Global Edge can help students review course options, academic profiles and study-abroad planning in Green Park, New Delhi. Universities report successful course completion to the Home Office, and UKVI makes immigration decisions under the applicable rules.
Interested to Study Abroad?
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Can I work in the UK during my degree and stay to work after it?
Some students can work during their course within their visa conditions. Eligible graduates may then apply for a Graduate visa from inside the UK after their education provider reports successful completion.
You are on track when:
- You have checked your course, sponsor and Student visa work conditions.
- You have a realistic budget that does not depend on finding part-time work.
- You understand the Graduate visa application deadline and the duration that applies to your application date.
- You have considered what visa options may be available after the Graduate route ends.
Stop and rethink when:
- Your plan depends on self-employment during a Student visa without a qualifying exception.
- You have not checked whether your course and provider meet the Graduate route requirements.
- Your financial plan assumes guaranteed part-time earnings or a guaranteed job after graduation.
- You are relying on a two-year Graduate visa for an application made on or after 1 January 2027, rather than checking the applicable duration.