Table Of Contents:
- What is a UK Student Visa
- What is a Graduate Visa
- UK Student Visa vs Graduate Visa: What are the Differences
- Summary
The UK is home to some of the world’s best universities. At the same time, the country also offers a great opportunity to build your career. There are different visa options to study in the UK and to start your career here. These are UK student visas and UK graduate visas. People often talk about the UK student visa vs graduate visa. Where the UK student visa focuses on your studies, the graduate visa helps you to start your career.
Please note that, a UK student visa is a prerequisite for a graduate visa. This means that, only after completing a course on a student visa, can you be eligible to apply for a graduate visa.
What is a UK Student Visa?
If you are 16 or over and you want to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a student visa. A
student visa allows you to study a course in the UK for which you have an unconditional offer of place
with a licenced student sponsor.
You can do a full-time course leading to a below degree level qualification, or a degree level or above qualification. You can study other full-time and part-time courses as well.
What is a Graduate Visa?
A UK Graduate visa route currently allows you to stay in the UK after completing a course in the country with a student visa. Graduate visa currently lasts for 2 years or 3 years (if you have a PHD degree or other doctoral qualification.
Please note that, as proposed in the White Paper released by the UK government in May 2025, all successful graduate visa applicants will soon be allowed to remain in the UK for 18 months only.
UK Student Visa vs Graduate Visa: What are the Differences
The UK Student Visa, formerly known as the Tier 4 Visa, is your path to studying in the UK. This visa has been specifically designed for international students who’ve been offered a place on a course by a licensed educational institution, such as universities, colleges, or even language schools.
After completing your studies with a student visa, you can consider applying for the Graduate Visa, also known as the Post-Study Work Visa.
In this article, we are going to discuss the UK student visa vs graduate – differences.
1. Purpose
Where the Student Visa is for international students wanting to study in the UK’s colleges, universities, or other institutes, the Graduate Visa, on the other hand, is for these students to work or look for work in the UK after completing their studies with a student visa.
2. Eligibility
For a UK student visa application, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be 16 or over
- A licensed student sponsor (an education provider) must offer you a place on a course
- You have enough funds to support yourself in the UK and pay for your course – the amount required will vary depending on your circumstances
- You must prove your knowledge of the English language
- If you are 16 or 17, you must have parental consent and evidence of it at the time of application
For a graduate visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be in the UK
- Your current visa must be a UK student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- You have studied, with your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time
- Your education provider (such as your college or university) must have informed the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course
3. Duration of the Visas
The length of your stay in the UK depends on what course you have completed in the UK and the length of the course itself.
For example, you can usually live in the UK for up to 5 years if you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, or for up to 2 years if your course is below degree level.
On the other hand, you can, as of date, stay in the UK for a maximum of 2 years or 3 years (if you have a PHD degree or other doctoral qualification) with a graduate visa.
Please note that all successful graduate visa applicants will soon be allowed to remain in the UK for 18 months only.
4. UK Student Visa vs Graduate Visa- Where to Apply from
A UK student visa application can be made from both inside and outside the UK. When you apply from outside the UK, you need to apply for an entry clearance, and when you apply to switch to this visa from inside the UK, you need to apply for leave to remain here.
On the other hand, you must be in the UK when you apply for leave to remain by switching from a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to a Graduate visa.
5. Visa Extension and Switching to Another Visa
You can extend your student visa or Tier 4 (General Student Visa), for example, to continue your studies in the UK, if you are eligible. You can also switch to another visa, such as a graduate visa or skilled worker visa. You cannot apply for an extension of your graduate visa. However, you may switch to another visa, if eligible, such as a UK skilled worker visa.
6. Work Opportunities
You can work with a student visa, but there are some restrictions to it. If you are a full-time student on a course at degree level or above, you can work, during term time, up to 20 hours per week, and if your course is below degree level, you can work, during term time, up to 10 hours per week.
During the vacation periods (e.g., Christmas and Easter), you can work full-time. You can also be employed for up to 2 years as a student union sabbatical officer.
However, you cannot take self-employment, do permanent full-time jobs, or certain professional roles such as a sportsperson or entertainer.
On the other hand, with a UK graduate visa, you can simply look for work or work in most jobs, be self-employed or do unpaid voluntary work.
7. UK Student Visa vs Graduate Visa – Pathway to Settlement
After completing your course with a UK student visa, you can apply for an extension or switch to a graduate visa or directly to a skilled work visa. After spending a certain number of years in the UK (the standard qualifying period will soon be increased from five to ten years for some migrants) with a skilled worker visa, you may be eligible for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
You cannot extend your graduate visa, but you may switch to a skilled worker visa before your graduate visa expires, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. After living in the UK continuously for a certain number of years (the standard qualifying period will soon be increased from five to ten years for some migrants) with a skilled worker visa, you may be eligible for settlement in the UK.
Summary
Where the UK Student Visa is a perfect visa option for international students looking to study in the UK
and gain experience of the country, the Graduate Visa is ideal to explore your career and job opportunities in the UK.
Please note that both visas are great, but they have different purposes. Anyway, both visas are here to support your journey from being a student to becoming a working professional. After all, studying or working in the UK is a huge opportunity for you.
Read Similar Blogs:
Requirements for UK Graduate Visa