Douglas Olsen
International students in the UK can work, but there are several conditions and visa requirements to consider. Students on a Tier 4/Student visa can only work full-time on a temporary basis and cannot be self-employed or set up a business. They can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time outside of term time. International students can also apply for a long-term work visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, or the Graduate Route, which provides two to three years of work rights in any job. However, it can be challenging for international students to find employment in the UK due to the cost and complexity of visa requirements, with some companies being unwilling to hire international graduates.
Can an international student work in the UK?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours during term time | Up to 20 hours per week |
| Work hours during vacation | Full-time |
| Work hours during term time if on a work placement | Full-time, but not longer than 50% of the total course length |
| Work as a student union sabbatical officer | Allowed for up to two years |
| Work as a volunteer | Allowed, but counts towards the weekly work hour limitation |
| Work as an intern | Allowed, if it meets certain requirements |
| Work as a self-employed person | Not allowed |
| Work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer | Not allowed |
| Work as a permanent full-time employee | Allowed after course completion, but a visa status change is required |
| Work visa duration | Two years (or three years for PhDs or other Doctorates) |
| Salary threshold for skilled workers | £38,700 per year |
| Salary threshold for skilled workers under 26 or recent graduates | 20% discount |
| Family members allowed | No, since March 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time jobs for international students
International students in the UK can work part-time while studying, but they must comply with their visa and immigration restrictions. Students on a full-time degree course with a Student Visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacation periods. However, those with a Student Visa for a part-time course do not have the right to work, either paid or unpaid.
There are several options for part-time work available to international students in the UK. Many universities offer on-campus job opportunities, such as roles in shops, cafes, bars, events, or student support services. These jobs are typically part-time and provide a convenient way for students to earn an income while studying. Off-campus job opportunities are also available, especially in industries that commonly employ part-time workers, such as hospitality, retail, and events. Students can also explore online part-time jobs, which are increasingly available and can offer flexible work options.
To find part-time jobs, international students can utilise online platforms such as StudentJob UK, which offers vacancies in over 100 locations across the UK and provides email alerts for relevant job opportunities. University employment teams, international student officers, and academic tutors can also provide guidance on finding the right balance between studies and work. Additionally, universities often have a careers service to help students with their job search, CV preparation, and interview techniques.
It is important for international students to be mindful of their visa restrictions and work within the permitted hours. They should also prioritise their university course to ensure that their part-time work does not negatively impact their studies. Taking on internships or placements relevant to their studies can be a good way to build professional skills and enhance their CVs.
After completing their studies, international students can apply for a graduate visa, which allows them to work or look for work in the UK without restrictions. The Graduate Route enables students to stay and work in the UK for two to three years after graduation, providing opportunities to gain valuable work experience and establish their careers in the country.
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Work visa requirements
International students can work in the UK if they have a valid visa that permits this. The type of visa and the number of hours that an international student can work in the UK will depend on the course they are enrolled in and the level of their studies.
International students on a Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time if they are studying a full-time degree-level course. During vacation periods, they can work full-time. A Student Visa does not allow international students to be self-employed, set up a business, or be employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer.
Students on a full-time degree course with a Student Visa can also work full-time during term time if the work is a required part of their course, such as a work placement. The placement must not be longer than 50% of the course length, unless there is a UK statutory requirement for the course to contain a specific period of work placement that exceeds this limit.
Students on a part-time course with a Student Visa do not have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK.
Once a student's course has ended, they are considered to be on 'vacation' and can work full-time for up to 4 months or until their Student Visa expires, whichever is sooner. To take up a permanent full-time job in the UK, students will need to change their visa status. Many students are eligible to apply for a Graduate Route working visa, which allows them to work or look for work in any sector and at any level for up to 2 or 3 years.
To work in the UK after their studies, international students can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. This visa is for those who have been offered a skilled job in the UK by an approved employer. Applicants must have a ''certificate of sponsorship' from their employer, do a job that is on the list of eligible occupations, and be paid a minimum salary. They must also demonstrate that they have at least £1,270 in their bank account for 28 days before their application to show that they can sustain themselves and their family while in the UK.
There are other types of work visas available in the UK, including the Health and Care Worker Visa, the Global Business Mobility Visa, the Seasonal Worker Visa, and the Charity Worker Visa, each with its own specific requirements.
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Work hour limitations
International students in the UK on a Student visa are allowed to work, but their visa places limitations on the number of hours they can work. Students on full-time degree-level courses holding a Student visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time during vacation periods. The Home Office defines a "week" as "a seven-day period starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday".
During term time, students can work full-time in certain circumstances, such as during a work placement that is an integral and assessed part of their course. However, this work placement must not be longer than 50% of the total course length, unless there is a UK statutory requirement for the course to contain a specific period of work placement that exceeds this limit. Students can also work as a students' union sabbatical officer for up to two years, which is also considered full-time work.
Outside of term time, students can work full-time hours, which are usually around 40 hours per week. However, to avoid accidentally breaching work conditions, students should only work full-time hours if they have a full week of vacation leave from Monday to Sunday. If their vacation leave starts or ends partway through a Monday-Sunday week, they should comply with the 20-hour working hours limit for that week.
Students on a part-time course with a Student visa are not permitted to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK. They also cannot be self-employed or set up a business, or be employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer.
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Work placement opportunities
International students in the UK can undertake work placements as part of their course. This can be full-time, even during term time, and can be paid. However, any work placement must not be longer than 50% of the total course length unless there is a UK statutory requirement for the course to contain a specific period of work placement that exceeds this limit.
Students must inform the Home Office that they will be working as part of their course and provide a letter for their work placement provider with the terms and conditions of the placement.
Students can also take on internships during official vacation periods. However, internships during term time are only permitted if they are an assessed part of the course.
Students on a part-time course with a Student visa will not have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK. Students on a full-time degree course with a Student visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacation periods.
International students who want to work in the UK after graduation can apply for a long-term work visa such as the Skilled Worker visa. They must have a job in an eligible occupation with an employer who is a licensed sponsor. They can also apply for the Graduate Route, which provides two to three years of work rights in any job.
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Immigration rights and restrictions
International students in the UK must comply with their immigration rights and restrictions, as well as any work limitations imposed by their educational institution. Work rights are a condition of immigration permission, so it is crucial for international students to understand what they can and cannot do.
International students with a Student Visa can work in the UK, but only on a temporary basis. They cannot be employed full-time on a permanent contract, nor can they be self-employed, set up a business, or be employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. They are also restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. During vacation periods, they can work full-time, and during term time if their work placement is an integral and assessed part of their course. This work placement must not exceed 50% of the total course length unless there is a UK statutory requirement for it to do so.
International students can also work as a students' union sabbatical officer for up to two years, and they can take on voluntary work, which is classed as unpaid employment and must be counted towards their weekly work hour limitation.
After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows them to stay and work in the UK for two to three years. They can also switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, which has a salary threshold of £38,700 per year, although this is discounted to 20% for skilled workers under 26 or recent graduates.
International students should always check their visa conditions and work restrictions, and they may need to prove their right to work in the UK to an employer by providing a valid share code.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students holding a valid Tier 4 visa are allowed to work in the UK, but with some restrictions on the number of hours during term time.
During term time, international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
Yes, there are some restrictions. International students are usually not allowed to work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or engage in business activities such as running your own business.
Yes, during holidays, international students are allowed to work full-time, which is usually up to 40 hours per week.
Yes, it is mandatory for an international student to have a National Insurance number to be able to work in the UK. This can be applied for once the student has arrived in the country.
