JW John Wheatley College · Glasgow

International Students

The Graduate visa route

Our Diploma structure is designed with one outcome in mind: giving you the qualification and experience to progress onto the UK's Graduate immigration route.

The Graduate route is a UK Home Office immigration category, not a college qualification. Eligibility depends on Home Office rules current at the time of your application — our international team provides guidance, but cannot guarantee visa outcomes.

  1. 1

    Year 1 — Study

    Complete your Diploma coursework on campus in Glasgow, holding a Student visa.

  2. 2

    Year 2 — Paid placement

    Move into your supervised industry placement, continuing to build UK work experience in your field.

  3. 3

    Graduation

    Successfully complete your programme and receive confirmation of award from the college.

  4. 4

    Graduate visa application

    Apply to the Home Office for the Graduate route, which permits eligible graduates to live and work in the UK for 2 years (3 for PhD-level study) without employer sponsorship.

  5. 5

    Build your UK career

    Use your Graduate visa period to gain further experience or transition to a Skilled Worker visa with an employer.

Start your journey

Start on the placement-year pathway

Every Diploma course includes the paid placement year that underpins this route.