Can you help me understand the post-study work permit (PSW) options in the UK for a Master's degree?
UK Master's graduates receive the Graduate Route visa - 2 years of open work rights with no job offer or sponsor needed. Applications submitted from January 2027 will receive only 18 months. After the Graduate Route, you can switch to the Skilled Worker visa with an employer sponsor. The transition to Skilled Worker is the most common path to long-term UK residency.
The UK Graduate Route visa is the main post-study work route for international Master's graduates. It has a critical rule change coming in January 2027 that all students currently planning UK study must factor into their timeline decision.
UK Graduate Route Visa - Full Details
Factor | Details |
|---|---|
Eligibility | Must have completed a degree at a UK UKVI-approved sponsor university |
Duration (Masters/Bachelors) - current | 2 years for applications submitted by 31 December 2026 |
Duration (Masters/Bachelors) - from 2027 | 18 months for applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027 |
Duration (PhD graduates) | 3 years - unchanged by new rules |
Job offer required? | No |
Salary requirement? | No minimum salary during Graduate Route |
Work restrictions? | None - any role, any hours, any employer |
Where to apply | Online via UKVI; must apply from within the UK |
Application fee | £822 (as of 2025-26) |
What Comes After the Graduate Route - Visa Pathways
Next Visa Option | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skilled Worker Visa | Job offer from UK sponsor; salary meets threshold | Most common transition; leads to ILR after 5 years |
Global Talent Visa | Endorsement in STEM, arts, digital, or finance | Highly prestigious; no employer sponsorship needed |
High Potential Individual Visa | Graduate of a top global university (from approved list) | 2-year visa; no job offer needed; leads to Skilled Worker |
Innovator Founder Visa | Endorsed business idea | For those starting their own business in the UK |
My Advice
The 2027 rule change is important for students deciding between applying now versus in 2026 for September 2027 entry. If you complete your Master's in September 2028, your Graduate Route application will be submitted in late 2028 - well after January 2027 - meaning you will get 18 months rather than 2 years. Use the Graduate Route period strategically: get UK work experience in your first year, then actively pursue Skilled Worker sponsorship before your visa expires. The Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from an approved sponsor at a salary meeting the going rate for your role - in most cases this is £38,700 as the general threshold in 2025-26. Use the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors to identify employers who can sponsor you, and prioritise applications to those companies during your Graduate Route period.
More expert answers
You can stay and work in the UK after your Master's with these main post-study options:
- Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work Visa): Stay and work for up to 2 years after your degree if you apply by 31 Dec 2026. No employer sponsorship needed; you can work in most jobs at any skill level.
- Skilled Worker Visa: Stay up to 5 years if you have a job offer from a licensed UK employer in a qualifying role. Employer sponsorship is required.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: Also up to 5 years, for eligible roles in the UK healthcare sector with sponsorship.
- Innovator Founder Visa: Typically 3 years, for those starting an innovative business in the UK with approved endorsement.
Visa durations and policies are subject to change. For specific next steps, please connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.
Yes, the UK offers a post-study work visa (PSW) called the Graduate Visa. This allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after completing a master's degree. For PhD graduates, the duration is 3 years.
Starting 1 Jan 2027, the duration for master's graduates will reduce to 18 months (subject to change).
The Graduate Visa cannot be extended. To stay longer, you must switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, which requires a qualifying job offer from a UK employer.
If you need guidance on your next steps, please contact your LeapScholar counsellor.
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