International Students: How to Work in the UK

Working in the UK as an international student can help you manage your day-to-day living costs while immersing yourself in British culture. However, it's important to understand what you can and can't do before you start your job hunt. Below, we'll explain the requirements for finding a UK-based job as an overseas student and outline how to find work that fits around your studies.

Can international students work in the UK?

Being able to work while studying makes a huge difference financially for many students.

You can only as an international student if you're studying full time. usually take three years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and four years in Scotland. However, a full time degree may take longer for certain subjects, such as , or if you spend a year abroad or on an industry placement as part of your studies.

typically take a year, regardless of where you study in the UK. Your university's student support department can advise whether your course structure counts as full time or part time.

You'll also need a to work in the UK during your studies. This document allows you to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time (in paid and unpaid roles) and defines a week as the seven-day period starting on a Monday.

Additionally, you can't average your hours over a longer timeframe (e.g., by working 40 hours one week and 0 hours the next week). During university vacations, you can work full time provided that your employment is temporary.

The UK doesn't allow to do certain types of paid and unpaid work. UK law prevents people on student visas from:

• Freelancing
• Working as an entertainer
• Working in a part time job that replaces a full time vacancy
• Working as a doctor, dentist, sportsperson, or sports coach, unless required as an integral part of your degree course

Additionally, you can't on a student visa. Engaging in business includes setting up your own business or being hired by a company where you own 10% or more of the shares. You can't seek employment with a company if you are its director or have a similar role.

Bear in mind that your university may impose other restrictions on whether and how much you can work. Limitations vary between institutions, so it's worth checking with your university before applying for jobs.

3 requirements for working in the UK as an international student

Ensuring you fulfill all the requirements before applying for work can help you avoid breaching UK visa restrictions. Overseas students wanting to work in the UK should have:

• A valid student visa
• A place on a full-time educational course and a valid sponsor with a compliance track record (you can check your sponsor's status via the )
• No institutional restrictions on part-time work

How to work in the UK as an international student

Follow these steps to figure out if you can work in the UK as an international student.

So, international students can work in the UK, but how do you get started? Let's explore how to determine your eligibility and what rules you need to follow while working and studying.

1. Check if your visa allows you to work in the UK

Whether you can work in the UK depends on your visa status. Assuming you have a student visa, you're usually allowed to work part time if you're a study abroad student or a full time university student with a valid sponsor. Students under 18 who are sponsored by independent schools can also work part time following their 16th birthdays.

How many hours you can work depends on your sponsor and course type. In most cases, full time students can work part time (up to 20 hours) during the university term time and full time during vacations and work placements. These rules also apply to adult students on study abroad programs working toward qualifications below degree level.

If they're sponsored by a school with a track record, students aged 16 or over can work up to 10 hours per week during school terms and full time during vacations. You can't work in the UK on a student visa if you're younger than 16.

You can work full-time for up to four months after your course ends or until your visa expiry date—whichever is sooner. Apply for a if you want to work in the UK after that period.

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2. Confirm whether your university restricts student work

If you’re part of an intensive program, it’s possible that you won’t be able to seek employment due to time constraints.

Your university may have its own specific rules or guidelines for student work to prevent students from neglecting their studies.

For example, Cambridge University recommends working no more than 10 hours per week on undergraduate courses and asks postgraduate and research students not to work at all during term. As a rule, your university will expect you to prioritize your academic work and apply for roles that fit around your lectures and other educational commitments. Your university's Student Affairs Council or International Cooperation Office can tell you whether your course has work restrictions.

You can usually work full time during a if it's part of your course. During a work placement, you can also work for an extra 20 hours per week if your university allows it.

3. Create a balanced plan for work and study

While working can help boost your and provide valuable cultural experiences, it can negatively impact your studies unless you manage your time carefully. Depending on the demands of your course, you may wish to consider working fewer hours than the legal maximum to provide enough time for completing coursework, reading, and revising for exams.

Studying abroad is a one-off experience for most people, so make the most of your education. Many UK universities recommend working no more than six to ten hours per week.

The following tips can help you achieve the right balance between work, study, and leisure time:

• Tackle tasks one at a time instead of multitasking to save energy and ensure each job gets your full attention
• Create to-do lists in order of urgency to avoid forgetting important tasks
• Practice self-care by prioritizing healthy eating and sleeping habits
• Manage stress by scheduling enjoyable activities and downtime
• Experiment with different study techniques to find the most efficient and effective methods

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4. Begin your job search

Join student job boards and network with other international students to find leads.

Knowing where to find suitable jobs for international students is essential for finding work that fits your study schedule. The following websites have active job boards and are great for finding temporary and part time roles:

During your search, remember what you can and can't do on your visa. Holders of a student visa can't work as entertainers, sports coaches, professional sports people, or doctors and dentists in training unless required as a crucial part of your university course.

Watch out for job scams. Common signs of a job scam include requests for payment, an unrealistically high starting salary, or job offers without at least one interview.

5. Prepare your CV and cover letter

A well-written CV can significantly increase your chances of an interview and job offer. However, the CV writing standards in the UK may differ from those in your home country.

Generally, you shouldn't include a headshot unless the hiring manager needs to see what you look like (e.g., you're applying for a modeling job). A single A4 page is acceptable for an entry-level position, and you shouldn't exceed two A4 sides. Avoid providing information that could make you vulnerable to employment discrimination, such as your nationality.

To nail your application and make it really stand out against other candidates, present your skills and experience on a that uses creative yet work-appropriate design elements to impress employers.

Significantly increase your chances of getting the job by including a cover letter with your application— show that 83% of hiring managers think that providing one is key in their hiring decisions. Even if the job advert didn't ask for one, writing a cover letter will show the employer that you're motivated and serious about the job.

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6. Interview for the position

You got this.

Although the last thing you want as a university student is more homework, researching the company you're applying to can help you ace your interview questions. Prepare for job interviews by:

• Checking a potential employer's website and social media accounts to learn about its services, values, and aspirations
• Identifying likely questions based on your CV
• Showing enthusiasm by preparing your own questions to ask at the interview
• Identifying crucial skills from the job advert and preparing examples of these attributes from your previous jobs or education
• Asking a friend or relative to help you with a practice interview

7. Comply with rules and regulations while you work

You should always adhere to the rules and regulations while working as an international student in the UK. While it can be tempting to bend the rules to earn a little extra, the consequences could be serious. Working while ineligible, exceeding your weekly working hours, or working in a prohibited role are breaches of your student visa conditions and may lead to cancellation of your visa—or even prosecution.

Keep living costs low by working as an international student in the UK!

Working in the UK as an international student is a great way to supplement your income without relying on financial support from home. Depending on your job, you could make crucial contacts for your future career and gain valuable insights into British industry and culture. Follow to the rules for people on student visas to ensure a positive experience while balancing study and work in the UK.

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