Is UK Post-Study Work Visa Only for STEM Graduates?

No, the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa in the UK is not limited to STEM graduates. The PSW visa (officially called the Graduate Route) is available to all international students who have successfully completed a degree at a UK higher education institution—regardless of whether their degree is in a STEM field or not.

Here’s how it works:

Eligibility for the PSW Visa:

• The PSW visa is open to all international students who have completed an eligible degree program at a UK higher education institution, including:

o Undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees

o Master’s degrees

o PhD or doctoral degrees

This means that business, arts, humanities, law, and social sciences graduates are also eligible, not just STEM graduates.

Duration of the PSW Visa:

• 2 years for graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

• 3 years for graduates with a PhD or doctoral degree.

Work Rights:

• The PSW visa allows you to work full-time at any skill level, meaning you can take up jobs in any field, whether or not it’s directly related to your degree. This gives you significant flexibility in terms of employment opportunities.

STEM-Specific Benefits:

While the PSW visa is available to all graduates, STEM graduates (those who have completed degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) have an additional benefit:

• STEM graduates are eligible for a 24-month extension to the post-study work visa. This means that they can stay in the UK for up to 4 years (2 years for the PSW visa + 2 years for the extension) to work in their field.

Summary:

The PSW visa in the UK is not restricted to STEM graduates. It is available to all international students who have completed an eligible degree in the UK, regardless of whether it’s in a STEM or non-STEM field. However, STEM graduates have the additional benefit of a 24-month extension for a total of 4 years of post-study work rights.