PhD
Graduate Route visa allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation
The new Graduate Route visa allows UK international students to apply to live and work in the country two years after their graduation period., Post a Comment
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[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[July 8, 2021August 2, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/07/08/)
The new Graduate Route visa allows UK international students to apply to live and work in the country two years after their graduation period, the [UK government](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-graduate-route-information-for-international-students) has announced.
Applications for the said visa have officially opened last July 1. The rules apply to both bachelor’s and master’s degree holders of all nationalities in all fields, starting from students who are set to graduate in summer 2021 and onwards.
Doctoral international students, on the other hand, will be able to work in the UK for up to three years.
### **What is the Graduate Route visa?**
The Graduate Route is part of UK’s new points-based immigration system and global talent scheme. It is available to anyone who graduates from a UK degree with a valid visa (Tier 4 or Student Route) on or after 1 July 2021.
UK hopes to increase opportunities for international graduates who want to work in the UK. They also aim to welcome some 600,000 international students by 2030.
“This \[new route\] will give a competitive offer to some of the brightest minds from across the world who bring huge benefits to university campuses and local communities and can help to build the economy,” [Universities UK](https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/) Chief Executive Alistair Jarvis stated.
The Graduate Route is available to anyone who graduates from a UK degree with a valid visa (Tier 4 or Student Route) on or after 1 July 2021. \| Photo by **[Andrea Piacquadio](https://www.pexels.com/@olly?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)** from **[Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/airplane-over-world-map-on-blackboard-3769118/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)**
Through this opportunity, international students do not need an employer sponsorship to be eligible for the visa. Consequently, they do not need to secure a job position before applying.
During this time, the new graduates have the freedom to kick-start their careers by looking for positions related to their degrees or gaining relevant experience in other areas. There are restrictions on job types and minimum salary requirements.
### **COVID concessions until April 2022 for international students**
UK Minister for Immigration Kevin Foster confirmed that COVID concessions on visa rules around a requirement to be in the UK to study will be extended to April 6, 2022.
With this, arriving international students can study remotely via blended or distance learning, if mandated by health and visa protocols. However, they will still be eligible for work rights after their international student graduation.
Arriving international students can study remotely via blended or distance learning. \| Photo by **[Anna Shvets](https://www.pexels.com/@shvetsa?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)** from **[Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-wearing-protective-wear-while-holding-globe-4167541/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)**
Moreover, Foster assured that the UK government and immigration department is determined to support international students.
“\[The Graduate Route\] represents one of the most significant overhauls of this country’s approach to immigration in decades,” he said. “And we are determined to use the new system to attract global talent _.”_
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the PhD level
- Willing to study in UK
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Graduate Route visa allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to UK for the duration of the programme.
Is the Graduate Route visa allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.