Research and Innovation Office
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)

Application Form

Information for applicants

Please read carefully

Sheffield Hallam University has been approved as an endorsing institution under the new UKBA Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route. The University may endorse up to two MBAstudents and 10 non-MBA students to move into the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category, which is for new graduates who wish to develop credible business idea and entrepreneurial skills in order to establish a business in the UK.

Those graduates who are endorsed by the University will be able to apply for a visa for one year during which time they have the opportunity to develop their new business idea.

New graduates, 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
  • Students who have been awarded a Sheffield HallamUniversity degree (Bachelors, Masters or PhD) in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of endorsementand have not been awarded a Post Study Work Visa
  • Students who have a genuine, credible business idea

Please note:

Those endorsed under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route

  • Are eligible to work for up to 20 hours to support themselves, in addition to the work required to develop their business idea.
  • Will have limited access to the University library and other university facilities
  • Must apply for the new visa from the UKBA

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 and written progress reports. 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 contract 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:

We strongly recommend all those interested in applying for Graduate Entrepreneur read this information in full before applying.

What to do next

STEP 1 - Business SupportAvailable

We have free specialist advisers in business, legal, marketing, intellectual property and accountancy who 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

If you make an appointment, it is important that you make every effort to attend as we pay for your timeslot with the advisor, 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 4600 at the earliest opportunity.

Failure to attend without 24 hours’ notice is not only discourteous, but will mean that you will be charged £20 and unable to book another appointment until this has been paid.

STEP 2 – Application

Applicants are required to complete this application form and return by email to :

Deadline for submission of application form is midnightThursday 31st October 2013*:

*Please note, only complete applications receivedby email and by the application deadline will be considered. The Panel’s decision will be final and not open to question or appeal.

STEP 3 – Business Plan Submission

All shortlisted candidates must complete and submit a business plan by email to :

Deadline for submission for the business plan is 9a.m. on Monday 9thDecember 2013*:

*Please note, only business plans received by email and by the business plan submissiondeadline will be considered.

STEP 4 – Interview

All shortlisted candidatesmust attend an interview on Wednesday18th December 2013.

Final selection will be based on the business plan and the applicants' interview. The Panel’s decision is final and not open to appeal. Feedback will be given upon request.

Next steps:

All successful applicants for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) programme will be notified.

Sheffield Hallam University will then provide successful applicants with an endorsement letter upon notification by the University of their degree award. Theywill 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 receivinga structured support programme from Sheffield Hallam University for 12 months.

For use by University Staff Only
SI Course end date / SI Visa end date

Applicant Person Details

First Name/s / Surname
Student ID / Date of Birth
Address / Contact Number
Passport Number / Nationality
Current Visa Type / Current Visa Expiry Date
Are you currently living in the UK? *delete as appropriate / * Yes / No
Have you previously been on a PSW, IGS or SEGS visa?
/ * Yes / No
Are you a Government Sponsored student?* / * 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 list all other partners and 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 Details

Please describe your business idea
What is different about your idea that will make it a success?
How you propose to develop this into a commercial proposition?
What stage are you at with this idea at the moment?
Have you run your own business before? Please delete as appropriate
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

Business Idea - the process

Where do you want your business to be in a year's time?
What resources do you need to get to start-up?
What are your key targets and milestones for the year?
What steps will you take to reach them?

Market Research

Please detail any market research you have completed to date
Who are your direct and indirect competitors?
Define your target market and why? What is the scale of the audience, is it an impulse purchase, luxury etc?
How are you going to price your product or service and why?

Personal Statement

Please use this section to convince us of your suitability for the scheme

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” and may be disclosed to comply with UK Border Agency compliance checks in relation to sponsored migrants.

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