Working on a student visa in the UK
Can you work in the UK as an international student? How many hours per week can you work? We have all you need to know about the employment rules in the UK for international students
Grace McCabe
Share
Now that you’ve organised your student visa for the UK, it’s worth knowing if you can work while you are studying, as well as how many hours and what kind of work you can do.
How many hours can I work as an international student in the UK?
International students can work in the UK if they are on a student or Tier 4 visa. If you are in the UK on a visitor or short-term visa, work is not allowed at any time, including unpaid positions and volunteering.
Once your student visa is approved, you will receive a biometric residence permit (BRP) card in your decision letter, which will outline the type of work you are allowed to do.
Undergraduate students are allowed to work full-time outside their university term time. During term time, when lessons are taking place, they are allowed to work up to 20 hours each week.
Taught postgraduate students are allowed to work full-time during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. However, the academic calendar is often shorter for postgraduate students so you must ensure you still attend all formal studying and teaching sessions over this term break. Like undergraduates, you have the choice to work up to 20 hours a week but have added term time conditions in the summer term after sending in your final dissertation.
Postgraduate research students are considered to be “in term time” throughout the entire year and can work up to 20 hours per week. You can take a period of annual leave but must organise written permission from your supervisor and with permission you could then work full-time during this period away from your studies.
English language course students are allowed to work full-time outside term time. This includes the time before and after your course begins and ends, as long as your student visa is still valid. During term time, these students can then work up to 10 hours each week.
International students in the UK on a student visa may also take part in work placements, but only when it is related to your studies. The placement must make up no more than 50 per cent of your course duration and you will need a letter from your academic adviser confirming that your position follows student immigration rules.
Work placements with professional performance will not be against student immigration rules as long as you are studying music, drama or dance at degree level or higher. The placement must have been arranged with your university and performing must be proven to be a required aspect of your course.
What type of work is not allowed on a student visa in the UK?
Before you start university, during your studies and after you graduate, as long as you are in the UK on a student or Tier 4 visa, the following work is not allowed:
- Being a professional sportsperson, coach or entertainer
- Being self-employed or part of business discussions or enterprise
- Working as a doctor or dentist in training
- Working in a full-time permanent position
- Working in a graduate-level role (unless it’s as a student union staff member)
You might be allowed to work as a self-employed individual if you apply for a Start-Up visa with support from your university and you submit this application before your student visa expires. You can read more about the individual rules using the Student and Child Student guidance document from the UK Home Office.
What not to do when applying for your student visa
Everything international students need to know about UK student visas
Bringing family with you on a UK student visa
Can I take part in sports or study with sports scholarship as an international student in the UK?
Students in the UK on a Tier 4 visa may take part in the following activities as long as they are an amateur (taking part for personal enjoyment and not for a living):
- Play or coach in charity events
- Play or coach sports during a work placement as part of your course
- Play or coach when studying at university from degree level upwards
Additionally, if your studies are being funded by a sports scholarship you can play or coach in exchange for your scholarship while completing your degree without breaking your student visa rules.
How do I prove my right to work in the UK as an international student?
From 6 April 2022, businesses are no longer accepting permits as evidence of your right to work in the UK. You must now contact the UK Visas and Immigration team to secure a “share code” that will then be given to your employer.
You may also be asked to supply your university term dates for your course and academic department to prove when you are allowed to work more hours during the holidays.
Can I volunteer on a student visa in the UK?
Brexit has led to some changes to working rules on other visas, but student visas continue to allow anyone from inside or outside the European Union who is in the UK on a student visa to work, following the rules below. Your English language skills may need to be of a certain level to be hired for part-time work, however this will be up to your employer.
Students with Tier 4 visas are allowed to volunteer in the UK but the hours will count towards the weekly quota mentioned above.
As a volunteer it is important to remember that:
- You do not have a contract
- You do not fill a permanent position
- You are not an employee
- You do not receive payment
Volunteering is usually to help a charity or part of the public sector. If you are volunteering for a business, it is important to check whether they see you as an unpaid volunteer or a paid voluntary worker as the latter may not be allowed under your student visa.
Can I work in the UK after I complete my studies under a student visa?
When you complete your degree, you will be given a time frame during which your visa will still be valid. You can work full-time during this period because you will have no more classes to attend. However, you are still restricted in terms of the type of work you are allowed to do.
To allow you to work in other areas after you complete your studies, you will need to apply for a new visa under a different category. This will depend on the work you want to do and how long you want to stay in the UK. You can read about post-study work visas here. Each new category has new conditions so read all the information carefully and check in with the careers team at your university because they will be able to help you with individual cases.
Will I pay tax and national insurance when working in the UK as an international student?
The short answer is yes. In the UK, tax and national insurance payments are taken automatically from your wages before they are paid out to you. This means there is no need to fill out any tax forms later. Before you start working you need to apply for a National Insurance Number to set up this process. You can earn up to £12,570 annually before paying tax. You can read more information about tax payments at HM Revenue and Customs.
