Douglas Olsen
International students in the UK are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays, making part-time work a popular option to help fund their lifestyle. There are many ways to earn money, from part-time internships to freelancing, and from mystery shopping to focus groups. The UK is also known for its high cost of living, particularly in cities such as London, so international students may wish to seek additional sources of income to meet their expenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Part-time work | International students in the UK are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays. |
| Work type | Mystery shopping, personal assistant, internships, food delivery, freelancing, and participating in focus groups or surveys. |
| Benefits | Earning funds, gaining experience and skills, socializing and familiarizing with the culture. |
| Restrictions | Students on a UK visa cannot be self-employed, engage in business activities, or work in sports or entertainment. |
| Minimum wage | £11.44 per hour for those over 21 years old. |
| Additional income | Selling recipes, joining customer reward programs, and refer-a-friend schemes. |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time jobs
International students in the UK are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays. There are several part-time job opportunities for international students in the UK, including:
Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping is a common practice in the UK, where companies employ individuals to visit various establishments and provide feedback on their experiences. This can be a fun and rewarding way for international students to earn money while gaining insight into British culture and customer service standards.
Freelancing
Freelancing is a popular option for international students in the UK as it allows them to work on a project-by-project basis and apply the skills they are learning in their university courses. Several companies in the UK offer freelancing opportunities, particularly in fields like software programming and web development.
Part-Time Internships
Part-time internships related to your field of study can provide valuable experience and help you build connections while also earning an income. Check local job boards and utilise your university connections to find potential work placements in your area.
Personal Assistant
Working as a personal assistant can be a great way to earn money and settle into a community. You can help professionals with everyday tasks such as running errands, providing company, or helping with groceries. This option may also allow you to develop valuable organisational and communication skills.
Supermarket and Retail Jobs
Grocery stores, retail stores, and supermarkets often hire students for part-time work, offering wages between £8 and £10 per hour. This can be a convenient option for students as it provides a source of income while also allowing them to focus on their studies.
Remember to comply with immigration restrictions and work regulations for international students, including the type of work permitted and the maximum number of working hours allowed per week.
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Mystery shopping
If you're an international student in the UK, mystery shopping can be a fun and rewarding way to earn some extra cash. Mystery shopping is a big part of customer service in the UK, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
To become a mystery shopper, you first need to join one of the many consumer research panels. Some of the most well-known companies include Grassroots, Tern Consultancy, Ipsos, and Market Force. Grassroots is a good choice if you don't want to be bombarded with emails, as you can just keep checking their constantly updated website for new jobs. Tern Consultancy offers a range of opportunities, including video mystery shopping, which tends to pay a bit more. Ipsos covers smaller UK suburbs as well as bigger cities, and while the reporting process can be time-consuming, they do pay generously. Market Force is one of the UK's most well-known mystery shopping sites, with 400,000 registered members and a massive range of jobs.
While mystery shopping can be a great way to make some extra money, it's important to note that it's not a reliable source of income. Some companies can take a while to reimburse you for money spent on a job, so it may not be suitable if you're on a tight budget. Nonetheless, it can be a fun and interesting way to supplement your income and gain some work experience.
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Freelancing
International students in the UK on a Student Visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays. However, it is important to note that there are restrictions on the type of work you can undertake. Being an international student does not restrict you from freelancing, but you cannot be "self-employed or engage in business activity". This means that you cannot set up a business as a sole trader or under a partnership arrangement, nor can you work for a company where you hold shares of 10% or more or a statutory role such as a director.
- Identify your skills: Determine what skills you have that you can offer as a freelancer. This could include writing, graphic design, programming, or any other skills you have acquired.
- Build a portfolio: Create a portfolio that showcases your skills and previous work experience. This will help potential clients understand your abilities and the value you can bring to their projects.
- Network and market yourself: Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and utilise social media platforms to connect with potential clients and showcase your skills. Building a strong network can help you find freelancing opportunities and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
- Understand the market: Research the freelancing market in your industry to understand the demand for your skills, the average rates, and the competition. This will help you price your services competitively and find your niche.
- Stay organised: Freelancing comes with administrative tasks such as invoicing, tracking expenses, and managing your time. Stay organised by using tools to help you manage your finances and schedule.
- Be mindful of your visa restrictions: As mentioned earlier, it's important to abide by the work restrictions of your Student Visa. Ensure that your freelancing work does not exceed the 20-hour limit during term time and does not involve engaging in business activity as defined by the Home Office.
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Surveys and focus groups
There are many websites that host surveys, including SurveyMonkey, SwagBucks, Branded Surveys, and Save the Student. Each survey can earn you between £4 and £6, and you can make up to £200 a year, with some people even earning £800. The topics can be varied and fun, ranging from video games to politics and personal habits.
Focus groups are another way to make money by giving your opinions. These are usually traditional market research groups, often conducted via Zoom, phone, or video conference. Sometimes, they can be held at a specific location or in your own home. Focus groups tend to pay more, with rates ranging from £40 to £250 per session. However, you are limited to a few of these a year.
There are also opportunities to take part in academic research studies, which can be found at universities like Harvard and Stanford, as well as companies like SIS International and Experience Dynamics. Compensation for these studies varies, with some paying an hourly rate of around $25, while others offer a set amount of a few hundred dollars for longer stays or more time-consuming tasks.
So, if you're an international student in the UK, surveys and focus groups are a convenient and easy way to boost your income while maintaining a study-life balance.
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Student discounts and loyalty schemes
In addition to loyalty programs, many supermarkets, grocery stores, and retail stores offer part-time job opportunities for students. Working in these stores can provide students with a steady income, ranging from £8 to £10 per hour, which can help them manage their living expenses. Students can also take advantage of in-store discounts and offers while employed at these establishments, further reducing their costs.
Furthermore, students can join Facebook groups dedicated to cooking and connect with food bloggers and restaurant owners who are willing to pay for unique recipes. Submitting recipes to blogs or sites like Students Eat can generate income, as these platforms share a portion of the revenue generated by the recipe with the contributor. Starting a personal blog or submitting articles to established blogs can also be a way to monetise recipes and cooking-related content over time.
By utilising loyalty schemes, part-time work, and online opportunities, international students in the UK can save money and earn additional income to support their studies and living expenses. These strategies allow students to make the most of their time and resources while residing in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Students living in the UK under a student visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays. It's important to keep track of your hours to ensure you don't exceed the maximum limit, especially if you're working multiple jobs.
There are various part-time job options available for international students in the UK, including:
- Working in grocery stores, retail stores, or supermarkets.
- Mystery shopping, which is a common practice in the UK.
- Food delivery services, such as Deliveroo.
- Freelancing, where you can leverage skills learned in university, such as software programming or web development.
- Personal assistant work, which can help you get to know more people and settle into a community.
Yes, there are certain types of work that international students on a UK Student Visa are not allowed to do, including self-employment, business activities (such as selling items online), professional sports, and work in the entertainment industry. Gig economy jobs, such as Uber Eats or Uber, also fall under this category as they consider workers as self-employed contractors.
On average, international students in the UK earn approximately £200 to £400 per week, with the National Minimum Wage for those over 21 years old being £11.44 per hour.
Yes, there are alternative ways to earn money besides part-time jobs. For example, you can join Facebook groups dedicated to cooking and sell your recipes or submit them to established blogs. You can also take advantage of customer loyalty programs, such as Nectar Card or Clubcard, which offer monetary rewards. Additionally, some businesses offer payment for participating in focus groups or completing surveys.
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