NTU Student Enterprise
We want our students to develop a range of skills and competencies beyond the curriculum, equipping them for the next stage after university.
Student Enterprise at NTU is extra-curricular, meaning our events and activities sit alongside — not within — academic programmes. Our aim is for students to consider working for themselves as a serious career prospect.
We recognise that entrepreneurial skills and competences are important for future careers, so we encourage all students from the UK and overseas to get involved in our events.
Check out what’s available for students from NTU Enterprise:
What is a student visa?
A student visa permits an international citizen to enter and reside in the UK for the primary purpose of pursuing education at an accredited institution.
What is permitted on a student visa?
Student visa holders can take part in activities designed to build entrepreneurial knowledge and skills in a supportive, exploratory environment.
At NTU Enterprise, this includes:
Getting involved with Enactus – a global non-profit network that helps students develop initiatives and projects.
Join Enactus NTUAttending regular events such as Knowledge Lab and Entrepreneurs Club
Visit our Learning RoomParticipating in innovation sprints or hackathons
Visit our Learning RoomCompleting our online Introduction to Enterprise and Entrepreneurship module on NOW
Explore hereWhat is not permitted on a student visa?
According to Home Office rules, international students with a student visa are prohibited from being self-employed, freelancing, or engaging in business activity that goes beyond an exploratory stage. This includes being a company director, starting or running a business, or even running an online shop for profit (e.g., using platforms such as Vinted, eBay, or Etsy).
We encourage international students to explore entrepreneurship and develop key skills and competencies. However, activity that progresses into planning and actions towards business operations in a real-life context is not permitted.
This includes activities where there is:
- Active promotion of a business idea beyond fact-finding
- Active selling or trading
- Delivery of products or services to customers
- Financial gain or commercial intent
Breaching student visa conditions may be considered illegal and could affect your immigration status.
We recognise that student visa guidance can sometimes feel unclear, and what is and isn’t acceptable may be misinterpreted.
At NTU Enterprise, we define the boundary as follows:
- Exploration = learning, researching, generating ideas, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset
- Action = active planning, testing, intent to develop and grow a business for real.
Once activity moves into real-world execution, it is no longer permitted under a student visa.
To ensure NTU Enterprise is fully compliant with UK immigration regulations, we do not permit international students with student visas to take part in our Business Start-up Programme.
Summary
International students with a student visa in the UK must not:
- Register a business
- Begin trading or selling
- Actively promote a business through marketing and communications
- Deliver products or services for payment
- Receive funding for a business idea
Beyond your studies
Graduate Visa
As an NTU international graduate, you are eligible to apply for the NTU Enterprise Start-up Programme if you hold a Graduate visa (either already granted or in process).
This permits you to stay in the UK for at least 18 months. There are other visas (or immigration statuses) that allow you to live and work in the UK.
You can switch from a student visa to a graduate visa as soon as NTU notifies the Home Office that your studies have ended.
Innovator Founder Visa
If you’re an international graduate with a strong business idea, the Innovator Founder visa could provide a route to stay in the UK and build something impactful. This is a pathway to transition from study into entrepreneurship.
You can find official guidance on the Innovator Founder Visa page on GOV.UK.
The Innovator Founder visa is a UK immigration route designed for entrepreneurs with a new, innovative business idea that has the potential to grow and create jobs in the UK.
There is no fixed minimum investment requirement. You can stay in the UK for an initial 3 years, with the option to extend. You may then be eligible to apply for permanent settlement (ILR) if your business meets the criteria.
Who is the Innovator Founder Visa for?
This visa is suitable for:
- International graduates wanting to launch a start-up business in the UK
- Entrepreneurs with a new business idea (not already trading)
- Founders who want to actively lead and grow a business in the UK
How to apply
- Approval (called an endorsement) involves submitting a business plan to a Home Office-approved organisation.
- If your application for endorsement is successful, you can then apply to the Home Office for the visa. Endorsing bodies will also monitor your progress during the visa period.
- Your business idea will be assessed against the following criteria:
Innovative
original and not already available in the market
Viable
realistic and achievable
Scalable
with potential for growth and job creation
Support from NTU Enterprise
Before submitting for endorsement, we can review your business plan and provide feedback based on our experience of what makes a strong, innovative, viable and scalable business.
We also run an annual information event with one of the endorsing bodies Envestors.
Further information
Please note that NTU Enterprise staff are not legally trained. If you are considering the Innovator Founder visa, we recommend speaking to a qualified legal adviser. Developing your application can take longer than expected, so start early and seek advice at an early stage.