Can international students work in the UK?

A popular question that gets asked is, “can you work in the UK on a student visa?”

If you’re an international student in the UK then you can work, providing you have a student or Tier 4 visa. Since Brexit, this Student visa is also available for EU students without settled status. 

However, there are a few rules on much you can work as an international student. How much you can work depends on the course level you are studying and whether it’s term time or during the holidays. Generally, you can only do part-time work during term time and full-time work during the holidays.

After applying for a Student visa, you’ll receive a biometric residence permit (BRP) card in your decision letter. This BRP card will outline exactly what work you can or can’t do and the number of hours. But you should also check your visa: if it says, ‘no work’ or ‘work prohibited’, you’re not allowed to work. 

If you’re an international student already studying in the UK and want to start working, check your BRP card to see what hours you can work and when. You’ll also need to apply for a natural insurance number (NINO) before you start working. 

Working during your studies 

If you have a student visa and are studying a full-time degree-level course, you can work up to 20 hours per week during your university’s term time. During the holidays you can work full time. 

You can complete a work placement as part of your studies, provided it is assessed and integral to your course. It must also be less than 50% of the total course duration. If you’re on a work placement, you can work full time during term time.

Here’s a simple checklist of what you can and can’t do:

You can:

• Work 20 hours per week during term time  
• Work full-time during your university’s holidays 
• Work as a student union sabbatical officer for up to 2 years
• Work temporarily or in a fixed-term position
• Work full-time during term time if you are doing an assessed work placement

You can’t:

• Work in a full-time permanent position 
• Be self-employed (this includes freelance work like tutoring)
• Set up a business 
• Work as a professional sportsperson or sport coach (paid or unpaid)
• Work as an entertainer (paid or unpaid)
• Work in a graduate-level role
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training If you’re studying a part-time course on a student visa, you can’t do any paid or unpaid work.

If you’re studying a part-time course on a student visa, you can’t do any paid or unpaid work.

Postgraduate degrees

Working after you finish your studies 

After you finish your studies, you’ll be classed as on ‘vacation’ and can work full-time for 4 months or until your student visa expires (whichever comes first). If you want to work permanently, you must change your visa status. 

You might be able to apply to be a Skilled Worker, which you can do up to 3 months before your course completion date. 

Or you can apply for a graduate visa which gives you 2 years to work full-time in any sector after successfully completing your course. 

How do I prove my right to work as an international student?

Businesses no longer accept permits as evidence that you can work. Instead, you must contact the UK Visas and Immigration team. They’ll give you a ‘share code’ that you can then give to your employer. You might also be asked to provide term dates for your university or department to prove when you can work more hours.

Will I pay tax and national insurance when working as an international student in the UK? 

Yes, you will. In the UK, tax and national insurance are taken automatically before you receive your pay. However, you can earn up to £12,570 without paying any tax. 

Remember to apply for a national insurance number (NINO) before you start working. 

Can I volunteer as an international student?

Volunteering as an international student is allowed, however, the UK government outlines a difference between ‘volunteering’ and ‘voluntary work’.

Volunteering:

• Is always unpaid 
• Doesn’t involve a contract
• Means you don’t take the place of a paid staff member 
• Is usually for a charity or a public sector organisation
• Doesn’t count toward your 20-hour-a-week limit during term-time

Voluntary work: 

• May be paid or reimbursed in kind (you might be offered free or discounted items or accommodation)
• Has a contractual obligation (written or unwritten)
• Counts toward your 20-hour-a-week limit during term-time

If you’re interested in volunteering as an international student and aren’t sure if it counts as ‘volunteering’ or ‘voluntary work’, your university should be able to advise you.

If you’re an international student considering studying in the UK, take a look at our enormous catalogue of  student properties. All our properties come with all bills included; meaning you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay each month. So, when you get your part-time job, you’ll know how much will be left over for more exciting stuff!