Applying for a PhD for a Graduate Visa holder

The conditions that accompanied the letter from the Home Office approving my two-year Graduate Visa until August 2026 (obtained after completing my Master's degree) included a condition:

"Study conditions

You cannot study at a state funded school.

You cannot undertake further study with a student sponsor on a course which would meet the requirements of the student route.

All other forms of study are permitted, subject to the condition regarding the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) as set out in the Immigration Rules. For guidance on whether you need to obtain an ATAS clearance certificate for your intended course of study, check https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme"

I wanted to apply for a PhD with a start date of October 2025. Does anyone know how this condition will affect my getting a student visa for my PhD?

Many thanks

Original post by Nick123341

The conditions that accompanied the letter from the Home Office approving my two-year Graduate Visa until August 2026 (obtained after completing my Master's degree) included a condition:

"Study conditions

You cannot study at a state funded school.

You cannot undertake further study with a student sponsor on a course which would meet the requirements of the student route.

All other forms of study are permitted, subject to the condition regarding the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) as set out in the Immigration Rules. For guidance on whether you need to obtain an ATAS clearance certificate for your intended course of study, check https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme"

I wanted to apply for a PhD with a start date of October 2025. Does anyone know how this condition will affect my getting a student visa for my PhD?

Many thanks

Hi there

I'm not too sure about this but wanted to signpost to other areas of :tsr2:

that may help e.g.: international postgraduate study international study international qualifications
Best wishes
Cheese :bump:

Reply 2

Nick123341

OP

3

Thank you so much! I understood what they meant - that I would have to get a student visa instead of this one. But why write that I can't study on it? - it was confusing).

Reply 3

Leelae

4

Original post by Nick123341

Thank you so much! I understood what they meant - that I would have to get a student visa instead of this one. But why write that I can't study on it? - it was confusing).