switching to hsmp from student status

hi guys,
can someone explain me how does this switching works?? I'm afraid of jumping into premature conclusions...
so the situation is this: I hope to get my phd this september. If I apply to switch from "a student of uk higher education" to hsmp scheme, does it mean i will automatically benefit from hsmp scheme, i.e. I will have a year to look for a job?? and no documents are needed like that pile of papers you have to submit for hsmp??
I realise i sound quite dumb, but if anyone could clarify this to me I'd be really grateful.

also, anyone with experience of this switching?

If you are intending to apply for the HSMP visa then you will still be required to meet the 65 points, and that i am afraid means supplying 'tons' of documents. I think you might be mixing two programmes here, the HSMP and SEGS.
In as far as the 'switching' is concerned, this was brought in to restrict the number of people who can change their Leave to Remain in the UK, so if you are student you will need to be graduating from a UK university to be allowed to change your status without going to home country