Are you a graduate looking to start a business in the UK?
The University of Liverpool has a variety of support open to graduates remaining in the UK on the Graduate visa or Innovator Founders visa.
Support includes the opportunity to participate in business development programmes that will take you from idea to minimal viable product and final pitch, join a community of likeminded entrepreneurs, apply for funding to support your business idea and much more.
You can find out more about the support on offer here or email the Careers & Employability service if you have any additional queries.
Please note, international students who are in the UK studying on a Student visa are not able to set up a business or be self-employed whilst holding a Student visa.
Innovator Founder visa
The Innovator Founder visa is for those who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. It must be something that’s different from anything else on the market. Your business or business idea must be endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
After completing your studies students can switch to an Innovator Founder visa.
Graduate visa
The Graduate visa gives graduates permission to stay in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) after successfully completing an eligible qualification in the UK. The intention of this visa is for the holder to work in the UK, potentially then moving onto a Skilled worker visa. However, it is also possible to set up a business and become self-employed after the Graduate route visa is issued.
For details of when students would be eligible to switch to the Graduate visa and the process of applying see our Graduate visa webpage and presentation.
Start-up visa
For those looking for information on the Start-up visa, this is no longer active and has been replaced with the Innovator Founder visa.
Speak to a International Advice and Guidance advisor
If you are unable to find an answer to your query on our web pages email iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk or book an online confidential one-one appointment.