Hiring Warwick Students & Graduates Quick Guide
Academic Year 2025/26
This leaflet provides employers with clear, current guidance on employing University of Warwick students and graduates who hold Student visas, Graduate Route visas, Skilled Worker visas, or who have submitted an in-time application to switch into these routes.
Student Visa
When?
Term time: 20 hrs/week (Mon – Sun) (Undergraduate only)
Outside term: Full time and fixed-term only
Permanent roles: Only after submitting Graduate or Skilled Worker visa applications
Why?
Access talent for internships and short-term projects
Graduate Route
When?
After course completion, and eligible award is conferred.
Duration:
2 yrs (UG/PGT) - 18 months for UG/PGT from 1 Jan 2027
3 yrs (PhD) - 3 years for PhD from 1 Jan 2027
Why?
Cost-free hiring, no sponsorship needed
Skilled Worker
When?
After sponsorship and visa grant (or in-time application submitted). Salary thresholds and skills level requirements apply
Why?
Retain talent long-term with sponsorship
Did you Know?
University of Warwick students may start any Fixed Term, Full-Time work, whilst on their student visa, once they have completed all their academic requirements, or, if they are on a period of Authorised Absence for work.
They can obtain a letter from the university as proof to meet your 'Right to work' check requirements.
Timeline and how long will the Graduate Route Visa be granted for?
Undergraduate Students
Timeline for application for most of Warwick students?
July-November in year of graduation
Postgraduate Students
Timeline for application for most of Warwick students?
December-January in year of graduation (usually)
Postgraduate Research (PhD) Students
Timeline for application for most of Warwick students?
Any time of year, as they are awarded throughout the year
Benefits of the Graduate route visa for employers: access to dynamic international talent
Streamlined process
Avoid sponsorship applications or sponsorship fees.
Economic growth
Recruiting international students fosters economic development.
Cost-effective hiring
There is no cost to the employer, as it is a personal visa on an unsponsored route.
Diverse talent pool
Easy as recruiting a British candidate but with the added bonus of benefitting from the diversity, extensive knowledge they bring, and delving into the international skill set at no cost.
Address Skill Gaps
Fill vacancies efficiently with no complex administrative procedure
Temporary assessment period
A stepping stone to decide if you want the student permanently. The flexibility of this visa means that it is a very helpful tool for you to assess a candidate’s suitability for the role before deciding if you want to retain them permanently using another visa.
Timelines, salary requirements and additional information
Student Visa
Visa timelines
Student Visa for length of Course + 4 months
Minimum Salary requirement
National Minimum Wage
Visa and employment
Employers can employ students to start working full-time in temporary roles as soon as academic requirements are completed but no earlier than 4 weeks before the official course end date.
Students can provide letters from the university to confirm their working rights once their academic requirements are complete.
Graduate Visa
Visa timelines
Visa for 2 - 3 years
Minimum Salary requirement
National Minimum Wage
Visa and employment
Students can obtain a 2-3 years Graduate VisaLink opens in a new window after they have received their academic award. (18 months for UG/PGT from 1 Jan 2027)
Employers have the flexibility to employ any students on this visa without sponsoring them and without incurring any visa related cost, as it is a personal visa.
There are no salary requirements, they can work full/part-time, in any role, at any skill level, and on any type of contract.
Skilled Worker Visa
Visa timelines
Eligible roles only: Must be an RFQ Level 6 role or a role on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
Apply as new entrant*- Visa for up to 4 years including any time already spent on Graduate Visa
Minimum Salary requirement
Standard Threshold: £41,700 or going rate
New Entrant: £33,400 (70% going rate)
STEM PhD: £33,400 (80% going rate)
Non-STEM PhD: £37,500 (90% going rate)
Visa and employment
Switching from Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker visa – applicants can qualify as a new entrant and benefit from lower salary threshold of £33,400 and 70% of going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation codeLink opens in a new window.
*Applicants can qualify as a new entrant and benefit from lower salary threshold: if granting their application would mean their combined permission on either a Skilled Worker visa, or Graduate visa would not exceed four years in total, including forthcoming permission.
To benefit from this, employers may consider issuing a shorter contract initially, as the visa should be issued for the duration of the contract.
We recommend students and employers seek independent legal advice.
Skilled Worker Visa extension after New Entrant
In the future - option to extend Skilled Worker to take it up to 5 years and above – at that point, the salary must meet the full salary threshold and 100% pf the relevant going rate for SOC 2020.
If the job is on the Immigration Salary List, it would need to be at least £30,960 and the going rate for the SOC code 2020.
Right to Work checks
Employers must complete a compliant Right to Work check before employment begins.
This includes obtaining the individual's share code, checking their digital status on the Home Office online system, and retaining the results.
The University of Warwick issues letters to confirm student’s status, including any term time and periods of Authorised Absence.
Where can I find further information?
UKCISA Employer Guide to Recruiting International GraduatesLink opens in a new window
UKCISA Graduate RouteLink opens in a new window
UK GOV webpageLink opens in a new window
University of Warwick: Graduate Route VisaLink opens in a new window
The above information is provided in good faith and consistent with UK Government stated policy intentions at time of publication.
Updated: 2 December 2025