Post-study workers
Date of award of qualification
This page explains how many points you must score in the points-based assessment to apply under the post-study worker category (Tier 1 Post-study work) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245V to 245ZA of part 6a, which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
Points awarded for the date of award of qualification
You can claim 15 points if your qualification that you are claiming points for was obtained within the 12 months immediately before your application for permission to enter or stay (known as 'entry clearance' or 'leave to remain') as a post-study worker.
How we define the date of award
The date on which you were first notified in writing, by the awarding institution, that the qualification has been awarded is the date on which the qualification was obtained (known as the date of award).
We will not accept that the date of award is the date of graduation.
As long as the date of award is no more than 12 months before the date of application, we will award the points.
Sometimes you will have started another course after finishing the course leading to the qualification you are claiming points for. You do not need to finish this subsequent course. However, the date of award of the qualification you are claiming points for must still fall within the 12 months before your application, or you will not score points.