The Graduate Route allows eligible international students who complete a UK degree to stay in the UK to work, or look for work, for two years after graduation (three years for PhD graduates). It remains one of the most attractive reasons students choose to study in the UK over other destinations.

To qualify, your course and visa sponsor must be properly licensed, and you must complete your studies before switching to the Graduate Route. This is why choosing the right university partner matters — all of Leap 2 Learn Bolton’s partner universities and colleges are properly licensed Student sponsors, so your study-to-work pathway stays fully compliant.

We always recommend planning your visa timeline early: know your course end date, your current visa expiry, and the switching window so you never risk falling out of status. Our advisors help you map this out clearly as part of your application, well before you ever set foot on campus.