Working in the UK after your studies
EEA students
If you are an EEA national (or a Swiss national) and not from one of the countries listed below, there are no restrictions on taking employment in the UK. This also applies to your dependants (providing they are also EEA nationals from counties not listed below).
If you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia ('A8' countries) you must register under the Accession State 'Worker Registration Scheme'. See the UKCISA Guidance Note 'EEA and Swiss Students' for detailed information.
If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania ('A2' countries) you must obtain work authorisation. See the UKCISA Guidance Note 'EEA and Swiss Students' for detailed information.
Non-EU students
Your eligibility to work in the UK after you complete your studies will depend on whether you meet the requirements for any of the schemes that the Government operates:
- Tier 1 Post
Study Work Scheme (PSW): Tier 1 Post Study Work will close from April 2012 for new applicants.
This scheme enables non-EEA students who have successfully completed and obtained a bachelor's or postgraduate degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or a Higher National Diploma (HND) from a Scottish institution on or after 1 May 2007 to work in the UK for up to 24 months on passing their studies.
If you want to remain in the UK beyond this time, you can switch into an appropriate immigration category to pursue your career, provided you meet the
relevant requirements.
If you have completed your course and obtained the relevant qualification, we strongly advise applying for the PSW Scheme before you travel out of the UK. If you travel home before doing so, you will need to apply for entry clearance again to return to the UK, even if you have leave remaining on your student visa.
Please note that if you are applying after 31 October 2008 from within the UK, you will need to have had at least £800 in your bank account for the past three months to qualify for the Post Study Work Scheme. If you are applying from outside the UK, you need to have at least £2,800.
For more information, please visit www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk or www.ukcisa.org.uk.
- Tier 2: This route is for skilled migrant workers who have an offer of employment. Graduates of Kingston University, who are still in the UK with a current student visa, may be eligible to switch into a Tier 2 work visa. Tier 2 applicants will need to find an employer who holds a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and who has certificates of sponsorship available.
When you apply, you are awarded points based on your:
- salary and allowances;
- sponsorship;
- English language skills; and
- available maintenance (funds).
Whilst 70 points will be required for a Tier 2 visa, it seems you will not need 30 points for the Resident Labour Market test so the most important issue will be the need to be in a job with a salary of at least £20,000 per year gross or to be paid the appropriate rate for your occupation if that rate exceeds £20,000.
Find out more on the the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
- Tier 1 (General): This scheme is for those with degrees, work experience and prior earnings at a certain level. It replaces the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP).
For further information about these schemes, download the UKCISA Guidance Note 'Working in the UK After Your Studies'. You can find other useful sources of information at the Border and Immigration Agency website.
You can also contact the International Student Advisory Centre for further advice.