How much work experience is required to get a post-study work permit or stay back option in the UK for a Master's?

You do not need any work experience to qualify for the UK's post-study work option, officially called the Graduate Route visa. Your eligibility rests entirely on completing your course and maintaining valid visa status, not on your professional background. This makes it one of the more accessible stay-back routes among major study destinations.

Graduate Route Visa Requirements

What You Can Do and How Long It Lasts

• Work in any job at any skill level, from entry-level roles to corporate positions
• Work full-time, part-time, be self-employed, or freelance, and search for jobs freely without employer constraints
• Applications made on or before December 31, 2026 receive a 2-year visa; applications made on or after January 1, 2027 receive an 18-month visa
• The visa cannot be extended, but many graduates use it to build the experience needed to switch to a sponsored route like the Skilled Worker visa

My Advice

Since your Graduate Route eligibility depends purely on timing and course completion, mark your Student visa expiry date now and confirm with your university exactly when they will notify the Home Office of your graduation, so you can apply without any gap in your legal status. Use your Graduate Route months deliberately to build the professional experience and employer relationships that will help you later qualify for the Skilled Worker visa.