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Costs, intakes and work rights side by side. Pick up to three countries.
| UK | France | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universities on Gradwalk | 36 | 54 | 24 |
| Programs | 13,873 | 739 | 2,522 |
| Main intakes | September, January (May at selected universities) | September, January | September, January |
| Tuition per year | £11,400–£38,000 | €7,000–€47,000 a year, mostly €10,500–€21,000 at private schools | €7,350–€59,000 a year, mostly €10,250–€26,000 |
| Living costs per year | £10,800–£14,100 | €7,380 a year (funds to show) | €10,000+ a year (funds to show) |
| Working while you study | Up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays for degree-level students (10 hours a week below degree level). The limit covers all jobs combined and is counted Monday to Sunday. | Work up to 964 hours a year (about 20 hours a week). No separate work permit is needed. | You can work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and 40 hours a week in June–September and 15 December–15 January. |
| After you graduate | Graduate Route: 2 years after a Bachelor's or Master's (18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027), 3 years after a PhD. No job offer or sponsor needed: work in any job, change jobs or start a business. Apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires. Fee £880 plus the health surcharge (£1,035 a year). To stay longer, switch to a Skilled Worker visa with a sponsored job offer. | 12 months; up to 24 for Indian Master's graduates The APS / RÉCE residence permit gives Master's graduates 12 months to look for work or start a business, with full-time work rights. Indian Master's graduates can get up to 24 months under the France–India agreement. Indian alumni of French Master's degrees can also get a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa. | Up to 2 years (Stamp 1G) The Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) lets you work full-time for any employer with no job offer needed. Level 8 (Honours Bachelor's): 12 months Level 9 (Master's) and Level 10 (PhD): up to 24 months, granted as 12 + 12 |
| Settling long term | The usual path is Student visa → Graduate visa → Skilled Worker visa → Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) → British citizenship. The UK is moving to an "earned settlement" system, which raises the standard wait for ILR from 5 years to a 10-year baseline for most migrants, including Skilled Workers. High earners and Global Talent visa holders may qualify sooner. Since January 2026, Skilled Worker applicants need English at B2 level. The settlement rules are still being finalised, so check GOV.UK before planning. | Employee work permit (salarié): when you find a job related to your studies. Talent Passport: a renewable residence permit of up to 4 years, for skilled jobs above the salary threshold. Long-term residence: possible after 5 years of legal residence. | Critical Skills Employment Permit: for in-demand roles above the salary threshold. After 2 years on it you can get Stamp 4 (live and work without a permit). General Employment Permit: for other eligible jobs. It can lead to Stamp 4 after 5 years. Citizenship: possible after 5 years of reckonable residence. |
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