Working While Studying in the UK

Can students work in the UK?

Many international students on a UK Student visa are permitted to work part-time alongside their studies, but the right to work and the number of hours allowed depend on the conditions attached to your individual visa. Your permission to work, and any limits, are stated on your visa or in your decision letter.

The rules are set by the UK Home Office and can change, so always confirm what your specific visa allows on GOV.UK and check the conditions printed on your own visa. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Term-time hour limits

During term time, students on a Student visa who are studying at degree level at a higher-education provider are commonly limited to a set number of hours of paid work per week — this is widely cited as 20 hours per week. A lower weekly limit can apply to other students, such as those on certain below-degree-level courses.

The exact weekly limit that applies to you depends on your course and your visa conditions, and the figures can be revised, so verify the current limit for your situation on GOV.UK rather than relying on a general number.

• Degree-level students: commonly cited as up to 20 hours/week in term time
• Some other students have a lower weekly limit
• The limit that applies depends on your course and visa conditions
• Verify the current limit for your case on GOV.UK

Working during holidays

Outside of term time — for example during official vacation periods — students who are permitted to work can often work full-time, beyond the term-time weekly cap, subject to their visa conditions. What counts as a vacation period is defined by your institution's academic calendar.

Because the precise rules and any exceptions are set by the Home Office, confirm the current position on GOV.UK and check with your university so you understand exactly when and how many hours you may work.

Types of work and restrictions

A Student visa that permits work usually still places restrictions on the kind of work you can do. For example, there are typically restrictions on being self-employed, working as a professional sportsperson or entertainer in certain ways, or filling a full-time permanent vacancy, among others.

These restrictions are part of your visa conditions and can change. Read the current, complete list of what is and is not allowed on GOV.UK before you take on any job, and never work more hours than your visa permits.

• Self-employment and business activity are usually restricted
• Certain roles (e.g. professional sportsperson/entertainer) may be restricted
• Filling a permanent full-time vacancy is generally not allowed
• Always check the current restrictions on GOV.UK

Why staying within the limit matters

Working more hours than your visa allows is a breach of your visa conditions and can have serious consequences for your immigration status, so it is important to track your hours carefully and keep within whatever limit applies to you. Your university's international student office can help you understand your conditions.

For anything affecting your status, rely on the official GOV.UK guidance and the conditions on your own visa, and verify the current rules on the official source before acting. This is general information, not immigration advice.