- When can I work full-time after my studies?
- What if I finish my course early?
- Working at the University of Hertfordshire
- What work visa options are available?
- Graduate visa
- Can I start a business after my studies?
When can I work full-time after my studies?
For work purposes, your course end date is normally the end date shown on your CAS, unless you still have studies to complete.
You can usually work full-time after:
- You have completed all course requirements, including any reassessments, deferred work, projects or exams.
- You have reached the official end date of your programme.
- You still have valid permission to remain in the UK under your Student visa.
This applies to all students, including PhD students.
Important
If you start working full-time and later find out you still need to complete studies, you must return to the Student visa work limit of 20 hours per week.
You remain subject to Student visa work conditions until you apply for, and in some cases receive, a new work visa.
Right to work checks
The University cannot provide a letter confirming your right to work in the UK.
It is your employer's responsibility to carry out a right-to-work check and confirm whether you can work full-time.
If an employer has concerns about your eligibility to work, they can use the UK Government's employer checking service.
What if I finish my course early?
If you complete your course before the end date shown on your CAS:
- Wait until the programme board has confirmed your completion.
- Wait until you are notified that the University has reported your early completion to UKVI.
- You can then work full-time until your revised visa expiry date.
If you finish more than two weeks early
If you complete your course more than two weeks before your CAS end date:
- The University will stop sponsoring your Student visa.
- The Home Office may shorten your visa.
- The Home Office will normally contact you by email to confirm your new visa end date.
- Your revised visa should still include the standard wrap-up period after your studies.
You can remain in the UK until your new visa end date.
Travelling outside the UK
If your visa is being shortened following early completion, you should avoid travelling outside the UK if you plan to switch to another visa, such as the Graduate visa.
Border Force may refuse re-entry or cancel your visa when you return.
Wait until you have received your new visa before travelling outside the UK.
Working at the University of Hertfordshire
If you work for the University, Human Resources (HR) must confirm that you are allowed to increase your working hours before you do so.
Please note that approval to work additional hours does not guarantee that extra work will be available.
What work visa options are available?
There are several visa routes that may allow you to stay and work in the UK after your studies.
For details of the available options, visit the UKCISA guidance on working after studies.
Graduate visa
The Graduate visa allows eligible Student visa holders to remain in the UK after completing their studies.
Current permissions allow graduates to stay:
- Up to 2 years after completing an undergraduate or master's degree.
- Up to 3 years after completing a PhD.
For graduates applying from 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa duration will be 18 months.
See the Graduate visa page for eligibility requirements and application guidance.
Can I start a business after my studies?
The Start-up and Innovator routes closed to new applicants on 13 April 2023.
However, you may still be able to:
- Set up a business under the Graduate visa route.
- Apply for endorsement for an Innovator Founder visa through an approved endorsing body.