University can feel like it lasts forever and then, all at once, it’s over and the rest of your life appears ahead of you. That can be scary at the best of times but, even more so if you’ve been studying far from home and now aren’t sure what to do.
There are many options open after you graduate and it’s important to take time to figure out what’s best for you personally, rather than just following your friends or rushing into a decision.
Here at Studyportals we’ve all faced the yawning gap of uncertainty after graduation and have put together this guide of next steps after graduation, focused on real choices, and what happens after your degree.
So, if you’re thinking “what next after my degree?” read on to find out about post-study work visas, moving back home or abroad again, and what common mistakes people tend to make right after graduating.
As soon as you finish your degree
First off, there’s always a bit of a probationary period after you hand in your last submission. It feels like the end of your degree, and then you remember you have a graduation ceremony a few months later.
The time in between your last deadline and your graduation ceremony should be used for two things: relaxing and saying goodbye to the friends and places you’ve discovered the last few years, and starting to reflect on what you want to do next.
Make sure to check if your student visa continues until your graduation ceremony or if you need to go home first and return on a visitor visa, or switch onto a graduate visa. Options vary depending on your home country and where you’ve been studying so make sure to check your issued visa and the government website for information.
Your university should also have an international team who will be used to this frequently asked question! We’ll discuss post-study work visas in this article too.
You might want to return home immediately to celebrate with your friends and family there, or you might want to stay in your study abroad country to explore without the pressure of studies, finally.
Post-study work visas
Many popular study abroad destinations offer post-study work visas that let graduated students stay in the country for a few years to work. Options vary depending on where you’re from and where you’ve been studying.
The table below highlights post-study work visa routes in some popular destinations. Usually there are multiple routes for graduates to work in their destination country. Always check government websites for the latest, official visa information.
Country | Graduate visa | Work visa(s) |
United Kingdom | Graduate visa lets you stay in the country for 18 months (3 years if you have a Doctorate) after graduation | A Skilled Work visa lets you stay in the country and work in an eligible job with an approved employer. You must be sponsored by the company and the visa lasts for up to 5 years before necessary extension |
United States of America | F-1 visa holders can work for 1 year after graduation through the Optional Practical Training Program | The H-1B visa allows holders to stay for up to six years and is available as a lottery for 65,000 applicants |
France | EU graduates can stay in France after graduation without worrying about a visa. Non-EU passport holders can apply for an APS (temporary resident permit) which lets you look for work for up to 12 months | Those with fixed-term or permanent contracts can apply for the for a long-stay visa, once their work contract has been approved by the relevant government department |
Ireland | Third Level Graduate Scheme allows students to work for 1-2 years in Ireland after graduation, without restrictions on job type | The long stay employment visa lets applicants stay for as long as their contract, and there’s also the Critical Skills Employment Permit for those whose skills fall into certain employment eligibility |
Canada | The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows graduates to work in the country for up to 3 years if they’ve attended a Designated Learning Institute | The PGWP contributes towards Permanent Residency and holders can step onto the Temporary resident to permanent resident visa to work after the PGWP has expired |
Germany | EU students do not need to worry about a work visa after graduation. Non-EU graduates can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months after graduation to look for work | The EU Blue Card lets non-EU residents stay in Germany for work if they have an approved contract from a Germany company |
Singapore | Students have only 90 days after their student visa expires to find a job | There are 4 primary post study work visas in Singapore: Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, S Pass and EntrePass, all with different eligibility requirements and validity periods |
Finding a job locally vs moving countries
You might have fallen in love with your study abroad destination and want to stay there to work and, eventually, settle down. If that’s the case, you’ll need to have considered what visa options are available to you and if you might need sponsorship from a future employer.
Often, only skilled jobs offer sponsorship opportunities and you’d need a contract in advance to be eligible for a work visa. It might be that you have to return home for a few months and apply for jobs and visas from there, or that you need to consider other alternatives.
Some things to think about when considering where to look for employment:
- Looking for a job locally means you can do research in person, attend interviews and are already familiar with the culture and area you’ll be working in
- Companies don’t always want to sponsor international candidates for work visas as it’s an extra cost and time commitment to complete the required bureaucratic forms. This can make it harder to compete for jobs as a domestic candidate might be preferred
- Continuing to travel and explore more parts of the world is hugely beneficial to your personal development and can look great on a CV. Work experience from another company can increase your appeal to global companies and strengthen career opportunities later on
- Make the most of your university’s alumni network and see where previous graduates have gone on to work and if they can support you in job hunting
- Different industries have different hubs all over the world. Silicon Valley (US) is known for tech; pharmaceuticals have power houses in China; Canada’s engineering sector is on the rise given its natural resources; Australia is always on the hunt for healthcare professionals and teachers to fill resource gaps. Consider where might be best to start work in your sector
- Moving home might be the easiest option financially and visa-wise. There’s no shame in returning to your home base while you start your career
Further study options
Staying at university is another option for graduate students. Master’s and Doctorate degrees follow on naturally from Bachelor’s [add link to postgrad article?] and all the knowledge will be fresh in your mind to apply to your next degree.
Some professions prefer candidates to be at least Master’s level when applying and, for a career in academia, a PhD is almost always necessary.
Chat to your university alumni team as they can potentially provide discounts to students choosing to stay on and study a further degree. It might also be a great opportunity to apply to a different university and experience another tertiary atmosphere.
Many countries offer common postgraduate routes that allow students to specialise in a new field where they haven’t previously.
We’ve highlighted examples from the United Kingdom:
- Law Conversion degree, or the Graduate Diploma in Law: converts an undergraduate Law degree into three years instead of one, allowing non-Law students to transfer into a law career track without having taken a Law-based undergraduate degree. Students receive a basic foundation in Law Theory that makes them eligible for roles in Law
- PGCE, or the Postgraduate Certificate in Education: a one or two year course that prepares students to be fully qualified teachers across the UK (also available in South Africa)
However, you might have found a research stream in your field that you want to stick with, in which case, a Master’s or Doctorate could be the right course for you! Often your personal supervisor will discuss these options with you in your final term but it’s also fantastic to be proactive and reach out before you graduate to consider further study options.
Other alternatives
University is a big commitment and takes a lot of energy. After students graduate, many realise they just want to have a break, and that’s totally fine too.
I went straight into work after graduating and then realised that a desk job wasn’t for me and took a two year career break to travel the world. It’s given me more time to explore career alternatives (like freelance work and seasonal jobs) that suit my lifestyle. Sometimes, I wish I’d taken a break right after graduating to invest more time understanding my own goals.
A lot of people take a gap year straight after graduating, using the time to travel, volunteer or simply relax back home! Remember there’s no right or wrong way to spend your own time.
Common timelines and mistakes
Some students will finish their degree with a job offer, but many won’t! It’s easy to look at statistics like “90% of students are employed three months after graduation!” and compare yourself, but, especially at the moment, that statistic isn’t always representative.
Universities don’t have to declare what type of employment graduates are in, and many might be in part-time hospitality work to support themselves while they look for a career based entry-level job. The 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey (UK) showed that while 88% of graduates were employed in some form of worth or further study, only 59% were in full-time employment.
Job markets globally are under pressure as Artificial Intelligence, rising costs of living and brain drains impact employment opportunities for recent graduates.
It can take 6-12 months to find a suitable full-time role and a further six months before you feel settled in that job. Most graduates switch companies at least two years after their first role and, if studying abroad has given you the travel bug, you might want to switch countries as well as role!
The biggest mistake to keep an eye out for is rushing yourself and comparing your path to others. Every one is different and it’s important to choose the right route after your degree for you and no one else.
