Studying in the UK

You can check to see if you need a visa by visiting the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. You can also check with the British Embassy or Consulate in your own country of residence or, if there is not one where you live, in a neighbouring country. 

What are the different visa types that enable you to study in the UK?

Standard Visitor Visa (courses less than 6 months): depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa from outside the UK. 

Student Visa (courses over 6 months in duration): The following courses at London Film Academy require you to obtain a Student Visa:

• BA (Hons) Filmmaking 

• MA Filmmaking 

• MA Screenwriting 

If you are unsure which visa you need, please check the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. 

NB: Do not travel to the UK if you wish to study without first obtaining the correct visa. If you enter the UK under an incorrect visa, you will not be able to switch this to the relevant visa without first returning to your home country. 

Visa applications can be a lengthy process and therefore it is advisable to apply well in advance of your course start date. 

 

Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work Route)

If you are looking to stay in the UK to work after completing your studies, you may be interested in the Graduate Visa.

What is a Graduate Visa

The Graduate Route is a visa option for eligible BA and MA international students in the UK who wish to work or look for work after successfully completing their degree at LFA. It provides the opportunity to work, gain industry experience, or explore further career pathways without requiring sponsorship.

This is an unsponsored visa route, meaning that LFA is not required to sponsor your application, and you do not need to have a job offer before applying.

There is no maintenance requirement for this visa, so you do not need to show a specific amount of funds in your bank account as you did for your Student Visa and you will automatically meet the English language requirement, as your qualification was taught in English.

The Graduate Visa is a pathway to other work routes, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, which can lead to settlement in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply for a Graduate Visa.
 

How long can I stay in the UK on a Graduate Visa

Please check the UKVI website for permitted length of stay on a Graduate Visa. 

Eligibility for the Graduate Visa

Your eligibility for a Graduate Visa after completing your BA or MA programme will depend on your individual circumstances. Following the final UoD exam board, and once you have been formally awarded your degree and provided the required documentation, LFA will inform the UKVI of your successful completion. You will then receive an email from Admissions confirming that this report has been made, along with your CAS number and further details on how to apply.

Repeating part of your course and its impact on Graduate Visa eligibility

Your eligibility to apply for the Graduate Visa depends on your individual circumstances. The key factor is whether you can successfully complete your programme and for LFA to report your completion to the Home Office before your current Student Visa expires.

If you are having to complete your degree later than originally planned due to a referral or resit module, this may affect your eligibility for the Graduate Visa, depending on when your final results are confirmed and when the University of Derby issues your award. These dates may fall after your visa expires.

In addition, your existing Student Visa may not provide enough time to complete a referral or resit, and you may therefore need to apply for Student Visa extension from within the UK or a new Student Visa, from outside the UK, dependent on your specific case. The Student Support (Academic) and Admissions (Visa Guidance) teams will advise you on what applies to you and guide you through the next steps.

The Graduate Visa is only available to students who have successfully completed their programme, hold valid Student Visa permission at the time of application and have been formally awarded their full BA or MA degree before applying. It is not available to students who exit early or do not receive their full degree award.

How to apply for a Graduate Visa

This route requires you to be in the UK and for LFA to confirm your successful completion of your BA or MA programme and report it to the Home Office (UKVI) before you can make your visa application. If you are currently outside of the UK and you meet the eligibility requirements for the Graduate route, you will need to travel back to the UK before your Student Visa expires to apply.

You can apply for a Graduate  Visa provided all the following conditions are met:

• You are currently in the UK
• You hold a valid Student  Visa 
• You have completed a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree for the required duration under your Student  Visa 
• LFA has notified UKVI (Home Office) of your successful course completion

To apply for the Graduate  Visa, you will need to provide LFA with a PDF copy of your University of Derby (UoD) transcript, specifically including your grade classification (e.g., Distinction, Merit, First Class, 2:1). All students should be able to download their award outcome via the UDo portal within 3-5 working days of the final assessment board.

When applying for a Graduate Visa while your existing Student  Visa is still valid or awaiting its outcome, your immigration permission is automatically extended under a principle called 3C leave, allowing you to remain in the UK legally. During this period, your Student  Visa's conditions, including work rights, generally continue until a decision on your  Graduate  Visa  application is made.

Please note, while LFA can guide you to relevant resources, we cannot provide specific advice on completing visa applications. More information can also be found on the UKCISA website  here.

Graduate Visa application costs

When applying for a Graduate  Visa, you’ll need to:  

• Pay the  application fee
• Pay the healthcare surcharge

For full guidance and associated costs, visit the  Graduate  Visa application page.

How long does a Graduate Visa decision take?

The Home Office website has  a guide to current processing times for all types of application. It states:

"You should usually get a decision on your  Graduate application within 8 weeks once you’ve applied online and either attended your appointment at a visa service centre or submitted your documents using the ID Check app.”

Working before and with your Graduate Visa

Before the Graduate Visa:

Whilst a student, you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Once you’ve officially completed your BA or MA programme, you can work full-time with no restriction on your working hours.

With a Graduate Visa

Once approved, you can:

• Work in most jobs or be self-employed
• Do voluntary work or travel abroad

However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.

For more details, refer to the Immigration Rules: Appendix Graduate.