Enterprise Team
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Application Form
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Information for applicants
Please read carefully
Sheffield Hallam University has been approved as an endorsing institution under the new UKVI Tier 1
(Graduate Entrepreneur) route. The University may endorse up to 15 graduates or students to move
into the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category, which is for graduates who wish to develop credible
business ideas and entrepreneurial skills in order to establish a business in the UK.
Those who are endorsed by the University will be able to apply for a visa for 12 months during which
time they have the opportunity to develop their new business ideas.
Those who meet the eligibility criteria below, are invited to apply for Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
endorsement by following the procedures listed below.
Eligibility criteria
 Non-EEA national graduates
 You can apply if you have been or are going to be awarded a Sheffield Hallam University
degree (Bachelors, Masters or PhD)
 You can apply up to and before 2 years after you have been awarded your degree
 You cannot apply if you have previously been awarded a Post Study Work Visa
 You must demonstrate that you have a genuine and credible business idea
Those endorsed under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route
 Are eligible to work unlimited hours in any job (apart from doctor/dentist in training or
professional sports person/coach)
 Will have limited access to other university facilities
 Must apply for the new visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (with support from the Sheffield
Hallam University International Student Support team)
Graduate Entrepreneur responsibilities:
 You must have a genuine, credible business idea
 You must spend the majority of your working time developing your business idea
 You must stay in regular contact with your endorsing institution, the University, through an
agreed series of face-to-face meetings. If the University is, at any time, not satisfied with the
progress being made on the business idea, or your compliance with the visa regulations, they
may choose to withdraw endorsement with immediate effect.
 All successful applicants will be required to sign a statement letter with the University to confirm
they understand and agree to comply with the requirements of the Tier 1(Graduate
Entrepreneur) scheme
Full details of the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applications-under-tier-1-graduateentrepreneur
We strongly recommend all those interested in applying for Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
read this information in full before applying.
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What to do next if applying from the UK
STEP 1 - Attend a Self-Employment Introduction and/or Tier 1 Information Workshop
The Enterprise Team run a weekly workshop every Tuesday afternoon at 4pm in the Careers and
Employability Centre. Tier 1 Information Workshop dates are available on the website.
STEP 2 - Self-Employment Workshop and Business Support Available
The Enterprise Team run a monthly workshop to help students and graduates develop their business
ideas. We also have free specialist advisers in business, legal, marketing, intellectual property, web
development, social enterprise, product design and accountancy that you can see to help you develop
your business idea, enabling you to answer the questions in this application form. If you wish to
arrange an appointment, please call 0114 225 4600.
Please note
It is important that you make every effort to attend this appointment as we pay for your timeslot with
the adviser, and someone else could attend in your place if you cannot make it.
If you are unable to attend at the time specified, please call 0114 225 3131 at the earliest opportunity.
Failure to attend without 24 hours’ notice is not only discourteous, but will mean that you will be
charged £25 and unable to book another appointment until this has been paid. This may also impact
upon any other support you are currently receiving from us.
STEP 3 – Application
Applicants are required to complete this application form and return by email to enterprise@shu.ac.uk:
If you are successful you will need to show £945 in your bank account for 90 consecutive days prior to
your visa application.
Deadline for submission of application form is 9a.m. on Friday 12th February 2016*:
*Please note, only complete applications received by email and by the application deadline will be
considered. The judging panel’s decision will be final and not open to question or appeal.
STEP 4 – Business Plan and Cash Flow Forecast Workshop
All shortlisted candidates must attend our business plan and cash flow workshop (templates will be
given). This will take place at 3p.m. on Wednesday 24th February 2016.
STEP 5 – Business Plan and Cash Flow Forecast Submission
All shortlisted candidates must complete and submit a business plan and 2 year cash flow (template
will be given) by email to enterprise@shu.ac.uk. Step 4 will help you complete these documents.
Deadline for submission for the business plan is 9a.m. on Monday 14th March 2016*:
*Please note, only business plans received by email and by the business plan submission deadline
will be considered.
STEP 6 – Interview
All shortlisted candidates must attend an interview on Wednesday 30th March 2016.
Final selection will be based on the business plan and the applicants' interview. The judging panel's
decision is final and not open to appeal. Feedback will be given upon request.
STEP 7: Endorsement
All successful applicants for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme will be notified.
Sheffield Hallam University will then provide successful applicants with an endorsement letter upon
notification by the University of their degree award. They will be able to apply for a visa immediately
upon receipt of the letter.
Once Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route has been confirmed, applicants will start receiving a
structured support programme from Sheffield Hallam University for 12 months.
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What to do next if applying from outside the UK
STEP 1 – Application
Applicants can request the application form by contacting enterprise@shu.ac.uk. The application form
needs to be completed and returned to the same email address.
You will need to show £1890 in your bank account for 90 consecutive days prior to your visa
application.
Deadline for submission of application form is 9a.m. (UK time) on Friday 12th February 2016*:
*Please note, only complete applications received by email and by the application deadline will be
considered. The judging panel’s decision will be final and not open to question or appeal.
STEP 2 – Phone Call
You will receive a phone call from the Enterprise Team to discuss your application.
STEP 3 – Business Plan and Cash Flow Forecast Submission
All shortlisted candidates must complete and submit a business plan and 2 year cash flow by email to
enterprise@shu.ac.uk. One business adviser appointment is available via Skype to help with this part
of the process if requested.
Deadline for submission for the business plan is 9a.m. (UK time) on Monday 14th March 2016*:
*Please note, only business plans received by email and by the business plan submission deadline
will be considered.
STEP 4 – Interview via Skype
All shortlisted candidates must attend an interview on Wednesday 30th March 2016.
Final selection will be based on the business plan and the applicants' interview. The judging panel's
decision is final and not open to appeal. Feedback will be given upon request.
STEP 5: Endorsement
All successful applicants for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme will be notified.
Sheffield Hallam University will then provide successful applicants with an endorsement letter upon
notification by the University of their degree award. They will be able to apply for a visa immediately
upon receipt of the letter.
STEP 6: Arrive in the UK
Upon arriving in the UK you must meet face-to-face with the Enterprise Team at Sheffield Hallam
University.
Once Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route has been confirmed, applicants will start receiving a
structured support programme from Sheffield Hallam University for 12 months.
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Applicant Person Details
First Name/s
Surname
Student ID
Date of Birth
Address
Contact
Number
Passport
Number
Nationality
Current Visa
Type
(Please email us a scanned copy of your
visa)
Current Visa
Expiry Date
Are you currently living in the UK? *delete as appropriate
(Please email us a scanned copy of your
visa)
* Yes / No
Have you previously been on a PSW, IGS or SEGS visa?
* Yes / No
Are you or have you been a Government Sponsored student within the
last 12 months?*
* Yes / No
If YES, do you have consent from your Government to apply?*
* Yes / No / Not applicable
Do you have or intend to bring in, any dependants, if so how many?
Will you be running the business as an individual or a partnership?*
* Individual / Partnership
If you are a partnership, please copy and paste all the above information for all other partners and state whether or
not they are graduates of Sheffield Hallam University and/or also applying under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) for
support.
Course Details
Qualification Level
e.g. MSc
Qualification
Title
(Expected) Date
Qualification
Awarded
(Expected)
Award Result
Business partner details: Please copy and paste all the above information for all other partners
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Business Details
Please describe your business idea (250 words max)
What is different about your idea that will make it a success? (250 words max)
How you propose to develop this into a commercial proposition? (250 words max)
What stage are you at with this idea at the moment? (200 words max)
Have you run your own business before? Please delete as appropriate (200 words max)
Yes / No
If Yes, please give details here.
What legal structure is your business going to be and why? e.g. Sole trader, Ltd, LLP, social enterprise (250 words
max)
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The process
Where do you want your business to be in a year's time and what steps will you take to reach this? (300 words max)
What resources do you need to get to start-up? (250 words max)
Market Research
Please detail any market research you have completed to date (250 words max)
Who are your direct and indirect competitors? (250 words max)
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Define your target market and why? What is the scale of the audience, is it an impulse purchase, luxury etc? (250
words max)
How are you going to price your product or service and why? (250 words max)
Declaration
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the information given in this application is correct. I understand that deliberate
omissions and incorrect statements could lead to my application being rejected or to my removal from the programme:
Signature:
Date:
By sending this form to the University by email then you should note that, in the absence of this signature, the emailing of
this application constitutes your personal certification that the details are correct.
Thank you for completing this form
Information supplied to Sheffield Hallam University will be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other
applicable legislation. The personal data you provide will be used to process your application and, if successful, your
engagement in the scheme. By submitting this application you are agreeing to your personal data being used in
accordance with the “Student Personal Data Code” https://students.shu.ac.uk/regulations/access_to_information/1.html
and may be disclosed to comply with UK Border Agency compliance checks in relation to sponsored migrants.
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