UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD ENTERPRISE

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD ENTERPRISE TIER 1 (GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR) APPLICATION FORM Enterprise is having ideas and doing something about them. It is making ideas happen. Page 1 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

2 Information for applicants Please read carefully The University of Sheffield has been approved as an endorsing institution under the UKBA Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route. The University may endorse up to 10 students or graduates 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 University of Sheffield degree (Bachelors, Masters or PhD) You can apply if you have already graduated or will graduate before March 2016 and 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 University of Sheffield Student Services 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. Full details of the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) scheme can be found at: We strongly recommend all those interested in applying for Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa read this information in full before applying. Page 2 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

3 What to do next if applying from the UK STEP 1 Application Applicants are required to complete this application form and return by to J.Grant@sheffield.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 23 rd October 2015 * *Please note, only complete applications received by 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 Shortlisting by USE All applications received by the submission deadline will be considered and shortlisted. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application via on Monday 2 nd November 2015 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 to J.Grant@sheffield.ac.uk. Deadline for submission for the business plan is 9a.m. on Friday 13 th November 2015* *Please note, only business plans received by and by the business plan submission deadline will be considered. STEP 4 Interview All shortlisted candidates must attend an interview on Friday 20 th November 2015 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. The University of Sheffield (International Office) 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 University of Sheffield Enterprise for 12 months. Page 3 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

4 What to do next if applying from outside the UK STEP 1 Application Applicants are required to complete this application form and return by to J.Grant@sheffield.ac.uk 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. on Friday 23 rd October 2015 * *Please note, only complete applications received by 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 Shortlisting by USE All applications received by the submission deadline will be considered and shortlisted. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application via on Monday 2 nd November 2015 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 to J.Grant@sheffield.ac.uk. Deadline for submission for the business plan is 9a.m. on Friday 13 th November 2015* *Please note, only business plans received by and by the business plan submission deadline will be considered. STEP 4 Interview via Skype All shortlisted candidates must attend an interview on Friday 20 th November 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. The University of Sheffield (International Office) 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 University of Sheffield Enterprise for 12 months. STEP 6: Arrive in the UK Upon arriving in the UK you must meet face-to-face with the The University of Sheffield Enterprise Team at University of Sheffield. Once Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route has been confirmed, applicants will start receiving a structured support programme from University of Sheffield Enterprise for 12 months. Page 4 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

5 For use by University Staff Only Course end date Visa end date Applicant Person Details First Name/s Surname Student ID Address Passport Number Current Visa Type & Number Date of Birth Contact Number Nationality Current Visa Expiry Date Are you currently living in the UK? *delete as appropriate Have you previously been on a PSW, IGS or SEGS visa? Are you or have you been a Government Sponsored student within the last 12 months?* If YES, do you have consent from your Government to apply?* * Yes / No * Yes / No * Yes / No * 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 The University of Sheffield and/or also applying under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) for support. Course Details Qualification Level e.g. MSc (Expected) Date Qualification Awarded Qualification Title (Expected) Award Result Business partner details: Please copy and paste all the above information for all other partners Page 5 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

6 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? (250 words max) Have you run your own business before? Please delete as appropriate (250 words max) Yes / No If Yes, please give details here. Page 6 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

7 What legal structure is your business going to be and why? e.g. Sole trader, Ltd, LLP, social enterprise (250 words max) Business Idea - the process Where do you want your business to be in a year's time? (250 words max) What resources do you need to get to start-up? (250 words max) What are your key targets and milestones for the year? (250 words max) What steps will you take to reach them? (250 words max) Page 7 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

8 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) 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) Page 8 of 9 JG 16/04/2015

9 Personal Statement Please use this section to convince us of your suitability for the scheme (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 then you should note that, in the absence of this signature, the ing of this application constitutes your personal certification that the details are correct. Thank you for completing this form Information supplied to The University of Sheffield 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. Page 9 of 9 JG 16/04/2015