Janice Lozano
International students in the UK can work part-time while studying full-time, but their visa status and course specifications may impose restrictions on the type of work they can undertake. Students on a part-time course with a student visa are not permitted to work, paid or unpaid, in the UK. For full-time students, a student visa allows them to work full-time during official vacation periods, including internships or placements, but they cannot fill permanent full-time vacancies. Students are advised to consult their university's guidelines on working alongside studies, as academic work should be prioritised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work during studies | Allowed on a part-time basis, not exceeding 6-10 hours per week |
| Work during vacations | Allowed full-time |
| Work after course completion | Allowed full-time for up to 4 months or until the student visa expires, whichever is sooner |
| Work visa requirements | Cannot be self-employed, set up a business, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy |
| Internships | Allowed during vacation periods, but details must be provided to the Home Office in advance |
| Volunteering | Allowed, but voluntary work (unpaid employment) is restricted |
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What You'll Learn
Student visa work restrictions
International students in the UK on a student visa can work, but there are several restrictions on the type of work they can do and when they can do it.
Work Allowed on a Student Visa
Student visa holders can work full-time during official vacation periods. This includes full-time internships or placements, provided they are not undertaken on a self-employed basis. Undergraduate and Masters students can undertake internships during the official vacation periods, and a small number of Masters courses include internships as part of the course. PhD students should refer to their university's 'PhD - Internships and Visa Considerations' webpage for details. Students can also volunteer on their student visa, but this is distinct from unpaid voluntary work, which is restricted.
Work Not Allowed on a Student Visa
Student visa holders cannot work full-time during term time. They are restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time, including paid or unpaid work and for one or more organisations. These hours cannot be averaged over a longer period. Students cannot be self-employed or set up a business, nor can they be employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. They also cannot fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
Work Allowed After Course Completion
Once a student's course has officially finished, they can work full-time for up to 4 months or until their student visa expires, whichever is sooner. Students on a Tier 4 visa may have a six-month period after their course completion date to look for and undertake work.
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Work during official vacation periods
International students in the UK on a Student Visa are allowed to work during official vacation periods. However, the rules regarding work depend on the type of visa and level of study.
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students can work full-time during official vacation periods. This includes full-time internships or placements unless they are a part of the course. Undergraduate students can also undertake an internship during the summer vacation.
Postgraduate Taught Masters (PTM) students
PTM students are permitted to work full-time during official vacation periods, which are Christmas and Easter. The summer period is considered term-time for PTM students, and they are only permitted to work 20 hours per week during this time.
Postgraduate research students
Postgraduate research students do not have designated vacation periods. They are considered to be in term-time all year unless they have written permission from their supervisor and academic department to take annual leave. They can work full-time during this agreed annual leave period.
Work restrictions
Students on a Student Visa can only work on a temporary basis and cannot be employed full-time on a permanent contract. They are also restricted from certain types of work, including self-employment, business activity, professional sports, entertainment, and permanent vacancies. Volunteering is permitted, but any hours volunteered count towards the maximum number of hours allowed per week.
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Business activity and permanent contracts
International students in the UK on a student visa are allowed to work, but there are restrictions on the type of work they can do and the number of hours they can work. Student visa holders can only work on a temporary basis and cannot be employed full-time on a permanent contract. They are also not permitted to engage in business activity or be self-employed.
The Home Office defines business activity as working for a business in which the individual has a financial or other significant beneficial interest in a capacity other than as an employee. This includes setting up a business that is trading or has a trading presence, being employed by a company in which the individual holds 10% or more of the shares, or working for a company where the individual holds a statutory role, such as a director. This list is not exhaustive, and students should seek guidance from the International Student Office if they are unsure about whether a particular activity is permitted.
Students on a part-time course will not have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK. Students who are under 18 and sponsored by independent schools can work part-time after their 16th birthday. Full-time students with a valid sponsor are usually allowed to work part-time.
During official vacation periods, students can work full-time. This includes full-time internships or placements unless they are part of the course. Students should provide evidence of the academic calendar to confirm the vacation dates when they are permitted to work full-time. It is important to note that the term and vacation dates differ depending on the level of study. For example, the academic year for postgraduate research students is continuous from 1 October to 30 September.
After completing their course, students can work full-time for up to four months or until their student visa expires, whichever is sooner. To continue working in the UK after this period, individuals will need to apply for a work visa or change their visa status.
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Internships and placements
International students in the UK on a Student Visa are permitted to undertake internships and placements, but there are several conditions that must be met. Firstly, if the internship or placement is an assessed and integral part of a full-time degree programme, the student can work full-time during official vacation periods. This includes full-time internships or placements, provided they are part of the course. The internship or placement must not exceed 50% of the length of the programme, unless it is a statutory requirement. Students must remain enrolled at the university during this time and will not take an interruption of studies.
It is important to note that the university must report the work placement details to the Home Office, and any changes to these details must be communicated. Additionally, the placement must not be undertaken on a self-employed basis. If the internship or placement is not an assessed and integral part of the student's studies, it may still be possible to undertake it part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term time.
For non-European Union (EU) citizens, a visa or permit is generally required to work or study in the UK. The Turing Scheme is a UK government initiative that provides funding opportunities for international students to come to the UK for study and work placements, including internships. This scheme is not limited to specific countries and promotes global mobility and collaboration.
It is worth noting that an intern's rights are contingent upon their employment status. If an intern engages in regular paid work, they may qualify as an employee and become eligible for specific employment rights. However, students undertaking internships for less than a year as part of a UK-based further or higher education course are exempt from the National Minimum Wage.
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Volunteering and voluntary work
International students in the UK on a student visa can undertake voluntary work, but it may count towards their work allowance. The UK Visas and Immigration definition of 'voluntary work' is important to consider. Any time spent on 'voluntary work' will count towards the hours worked, while time spent volunteering will not. Voluntary workers typically have obligations and set tasks to fulfil, and they may be paid in kind, for example, with free training, products, or services from the organisation. They may also receive reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.
Volunteers, on the other hand, do not have a contract, are not a substitute for an employee, and must not be doing unpaid work. They usually support a charity or a voluntary or public sector organisation. It is important to note that volunteering does not include receiving payment in kind.
It is crucial for international students to comply with their visa conditions. If there is any doubt about whether an activity constitutes volunteering or voluntary work, it is recommended to check with the university's International Student Advice Team or the International Student Office.
Additionally, student visa holders cannot be employed full-time on a permanent contract, be self-employed, set up a business, or engage in specific business activities as defined by the Home Office. They can, however, work full-time during official vacation periods, including internships or placements, as long as these are not undertaken on a self-employed basis.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the UK can work off-campus, but they need to have a valid student visa and be enrolled in a full-time educational course.
While there is no legal limit, most universities recommend working no more than 6 to 10 hours per week to maintain a balance between work and studies.
International students can work part-time, temporary jobs, internships, and placements. They cannot be self-employed, set up a business, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
Student visas do not permit business activity, which includes setting up a business, being employed by a company where you hold a significant interest, or working in a statutory role.
Yes, international students with a student visa can work full-time during official vacation periods and after their course ends until their visa expires or for up to four months, whichever comes sooner.
