Supporting International Innovators

The government-endorsed Start-up and Innovator visas for non-EEA nationals are available for those wishing to launch a UK business after obtaining an endorsement from an approved endorsing body - which now includes York St John University.

Dr Rebecca Biggins, York Business School Director of Marketing and External Engagement, said: “This is fantastic news for international applicants wanting to study any undergraduate or post graduate courses with us. With our new Business Creation courses and the continued growth of the Business School’s Grad2Director programmes, this is another case of doors being opened for the business leaders of tomorrow on an international scale.”

The 2-year Start-up visa is for early-stage high potential entrepreneurs who are starting a business in the UK for the first time without the need for any funds to invest in their business up front. During the two years, applicants will spend the majority of their time developing their businesses but can also take on other work outside of their businesses.

The Innovator visa is for more experienced businesspeople seeking to establish a UK business with access to a minimum of £50,000 to invest in their business, which do not have to come from their endorsing body. Successful start-up applicants can bring their family members (spouses/partners and children under 18) to the UK and switch to the Innovator category to extend their stay and develop their businesses.

Business creation courses have become more prominent at York St John University with a number of developments in the last two years. 2019 has seen the first cohort of masters students at the brand new York St John London Campus courses including Branding, Business Administration, Design Business Creation, Fitness Business Creation and Fashion and Luxury Business Creation.