Janice Lozano
International students in the UK are allowed to work, but there are several restrictions on the type of work they can undertake and the number of hours they can work per week. Students on a Tier 4/Student visa can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time work is allowed outside of term time. Students on a student visa cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, nor can they engage in business activity. The Graduate route allows international students to remain in the UK for up to 2 years after completing their studies to work or look for work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours during term time | 20 hours per week |
| Work hours during vacation | Full-time |
| Work hours for English language course students | 10 hours per week during term time, full-time outside term time |
| Work placement | Allowed, but only when related to studies |
| Work placement duration | Maximum 50% of course duration |
| Work placement with professional performance | Allowed for music, drama, or dance students |
| Work restrictions | Cannot work as a doctor, dentist, sportsperson, or sports coach unless required by the degree course; cannot engage in business activity |
| Volunteering | Allowed, but counts towards the weekly work limit |
| Remote work | Does not count towards the weekly work limit |
| Work after course completion | Allowed full-time on a valid student visa |
| Postgraduate work | Not permitted full-time until the official course end date |
| Self-employment | Allowed with a Start-Up visa |
| Graduate route | Allowed to remain in the UK for 2 years to work or look for work |
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What You'll Learn
Working on a student visa
International students on a Student visa in the UK are allowed to work, but there are several conditions and restrictions in place. Firstly, student visa holders can only work on a temporary basis, and they cannot be employed full-time on a permanent contract. Additionally, student visa holders cannot be self-employed, set up a business, or engage in business activity. This includes activities such as freelance work, private tutoring, or selling goods or services directly to customers.
The working hours for student visa holders are restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time, including both paid and unpaid work. This limit applies to work for one or more organisations and cannot be averaged over a longer period. During official vacation periods, student visa holders are usually allowed to work full-time, but it's important to check the specific term and vacation dates for your level of study. Postgraduate research students, for example, may not be able to work full-time during the summer period as their academic year runs continuously from 1 October to 30 September.
Once your course has officially ended, you can work full-time until your student visa expires or for up to four months, whichever comes sooner. If you wish to take on a permanent full-time job in the UK after your course ends, you will need to apply to change your visa status. Most universities offer graduate route working visas, allowing successful applicants to work or look for work in any sector and at any level.
It's important to note that volunteering is different from voluntary work (unpaid employment). Volunteering does not count towards your weekly working hours limit, but voluntary work does. As a student visa holder, you must ensure you comply with your visa conditions, including work rights, restrictions, and university recommendations.
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Work placement and internship rules
The rules regarding work placements and internships for international students in the UK depend on the type of visa and the nature of the placement.
Student Visa
Holders of a Student Visa are allowed to work during their studies in the UK, with some restrictions. During term time, they can work a maximum of 20 hours per week, including paid or unpaid work for one or more organisations. This limit cannot be averaged over a longer period. During official vacation periods, students can work full-time, including full-time internships or placements, as long as they are part of their course.
Student Visa holders are not allowed to engage in business activity, which includes setting up a business, being employed by a company in which they hold a significant number of shares, or holding a statutory role in a company. They also cannot work in a position that would fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
If the work placement or internship is not an assessed and integral part of a full-time degree programme, it can be undertaken part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term time. To undertake a full-time placement or internship in this situation, alternative immigration permission is required.
Short-Term Study Visa
Holders of a Short-Term Study Visa are not allowed to work in the UK, including internships or work placements.
Remote Work
Tier 4/Student Visa holders undertaking remote work placements or internships from outside the UK are not subject to the weekly maximum hour restrictions.
Volunteering
Volunteering is different from Voluntary Work, which is considered unpaid employment and counts towards the weekly hour limit. Volunteering does not count towards this limit and typically involves helping a registered charity or voluntary or public sector organisation.
The Turing Scheme
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.
Employment Rights
Interns' rights are contingent upon their employment status. If an intern engages in regular paid work, they may qualify as an employee and be eligible for specific rights. Students undertaking internships of 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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Working outside of term time
International students in the UK are allowed to work if they are on a Student Visa or Tier 4 Visa. Students on a visitor visa or short-term visa are not allowed to work in the UK, including unpaid positions and volunteering.
Students on a Student Visa or Tier 4 Visa are allowed to work full-time outside of term time. This includes the time before and after your course begins and ends, as long as your visa is still valid. Undergraduate students are allowed to work full-time during official vacation periods. However, it is important to note that term and vacation dates differ depending on the level of study, so students should check these dates before undertaking full-time work.
During term time, students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, including paid or unpaid work. This also includes work placements and internships, which are subject to the usual restrictions on student employment. Students must not exceed the maximum hours per week allowed by their visa, and any unpaid or voluntary work counts towards the weekly maximum hours.
After completing your degree, you will be given a time frame during which your visa will still be valid, and you can work full-time during this period. However, you will still be restricted in terms of the type of work you are allowed to do. To work in other areas after completing your studies, you will need to apply for a new visa under a different category.
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Volunteering and voluntary work
Volunteering is a great way for international students to get to know the UK, meet new people, and learn new skills. It can also improve your chances of getting paid work. However, it is important to understand the difference between "volunteering" and "voluntary work".
Volunteering
International students on a Student Visa are allowed to volunteer. Volunteering is generally understood as unpaid work with no contractual obligations. Volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public sector organisation. Examples of volunteering opportunities include helping at a sports event, beach clean-up, or arts festival. Students can be reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work, on the other hand, is considered unpaid employment and is therefore restricted on a Student Visa. Voluntary workers usually have contractual obligations, such as the requirement to attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks. They may also be remunerated in kind, for example, with free or highly discounted accommodation.
It is important to carefully consider the nature of the work before accepting a volunteering opportunity, as even if it is advertised as "volunteering", it could still be considered voluntary work. Students should check with the organisation offering the opportunity to ensure it is regarded as volunteering rather than unpaid employment. Additionally, students should be aware of the restrictions on the type of work they can undertake on a Student Visa, such as not being allowed to engage in business activity or fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
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Work restrictions for international students
International students in the UK on a Student visa are allowed to work, but their working hours are restricted. Students on a full-time degree course at Cambridge, for example, can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time, including paid or unpaid work for one or more organisations. This restriction also applies to voluntary work, which is considered unpaid employment. However, volunteering, which does not involve a contract or payment in any form, does not count towards the weekly limit.
During official vacation periods, students on a Student visa are allowed to work full-time. This includes full-time internships or placements unless they are a part of the course. Masters students can undertake internships during vacation periods, but the details of the internship must be provided to the Home Office in advance.
There are certain work restrictions for students on a Student visa. They cannot engage in business activity, which includes setting up a business or being employed by a company in which they hold a significant financial interest. They also cannot work in a position that would fill a permanent full-time vacancy or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Additionally, Student visas do not allow self-employment.
Students on a Short-term study or Standard Visitor visa are not allowed to work, undertake work placements, or gain work experience during their studies in the UK.
EU/EEA students with Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) do not need permission to work in the UK and have no restrictions on their working hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in the UK.
Students on a Tier 4/Student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and work full-time during the holidays.
Students on a Tier 4/Student visa cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, doctor, or dentist. They also cannot engage in business activity, which includes setting up a business or being employed by a company where you hold 10% or more of the shares.
Yes, Tier 4/Student visa holders can work remotely for an employer outside the UK without being subject to the weekly work hour restrictions.
Under the Graduate route, international students can remain in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD) after graduation to work in any job or look for work.
