- Study alone
- Does not lead to settlement
- Path
- Graduate Route → Skilled Worker → ILR
- Counts to ILR
- Skilled Worker time (qualifying period)
- Source
- Confirm on GOV.UK
Key takeaways
- Neither the Student nor the Graduate Route counts towards settlement.
- The common path is Graduate Route → Skilled Worker → indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
- Skilled Worker time can count towards ILR after a qualifying period.
- Routes and timeframes change — confirm the current rules on GOV.UK.
The realistic path to settling
There is no direct 'study then settle' route — time spent on the Student visa and the Graduate Route does not count towards settlement. The realistic path is sequential: graduate, use the Graduate Route to gain UK work experience, then secure a job with a licensed sponsor and switch into the Skilled Worker visa. Time on the Skilled Worker route can count towards indefinite leave to remain (ILR), usually after a continuous qualifying period of UK residence.
Plan early, confirm the rules
Because the routes, salary thresholds and qualifying periods change with policy, plan your career path from early in your degree and keep it aligned to the current rules. The Graduate Route is a runway, not a destination — use it to land a sponsored role before it expires. Study UK Now maps your study-to-settlement timeline against current GOV.UK guidance so you make the most of every stage.
How Study UK Now helps with this
Get expert, end-to-end help — from university matching to your visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in the UK permanently after studying?
Not directly — study time does not count towards settlement. The usual path is to use the Graduate Route to work after graduating, switch into the Skilled Worker visa with a licensed employer, and then qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a qualifying period on Skilled Worker. The rules change, so confirm current routes and timeframes on GOV.UK.
Does time on a student visa count towards UK settlement?
No — time spent on the Student visa (and the Graduate Route) does not count towards indefinite leave to remain. The qualifying clock generally starts on a route such as Skilled Worker. Factor this into your timeline and confirm the current settlement rules on GOV.UK.
Sources — verified June 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.