Student Visa: Working in the UK
The Student visa route enables international students to study in the UK on a full-time basis at a licensed education provider. It supports students throughout their academic journey, from enrolment to graduation, providing access to high-quality education and the opportunity to experience life and study in the UK.
Although the Student visa route is intended primarily for study, many students choose to undertake part-time work during their course. This can provide valuable work experience, help develop transferable skills, and offer additional income.
Student Visa - Content
Work Conditions
The primary purpose of the Student visa route is to enable international students to undertake full-time study in the UK. While students may be permitted to work during their studies, any employment undertaken must comply with the conditions attached to their immigration permission. These conditions are determined by factors including the type of institution sponsoring the student and the level of course being studied.
Students granted permission under the Student route may be eligible to work in the UK alongside their studies. The maximum number of hours that can be worked during term time depends on the level of study for which the visa has been granted. Students are responsible for ensuring that they understand and comply with their visa conditions at all times.
A summary of the term-time work permissions typically available to Student visa holders is provided below:
| Level of Study | Maximum Working Hours During Term Time |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree level or above | Up to 20 hours per week |
| Below Bachelor's degree level | Up to 10 hours per week |
Students with permission to work under their Student visa may work up to 10 or 20 hours per week during term time, depending on their course and visa conditions.
The 20-hour limit is a strict immigration requirement and applies to each individual week (Monday to Sunday). It cannot be averaged over multiple weeks, and students must not exceed the permitted limit in any week, even if they work fewer hours in preceding or subsequent weeks.
Failure to comply with work restrictions may constitute a breach of Student visa conditions and could affect a student's immigration status and future visa applications.
For Student visa purposes, term time is the period during which a student's sponsor expects them to be actively engaged in their studies. Outside term time refers to periods when the student is not required to undertake any academic activity and is on an official vacation.
There is no formal Home Office definition of term time. Instead, students should follow the academic calendar, attendance requirements, and study expectations set by their Student sponsor. Term time may extend beyond scheduled teaching periods and can include any time when academic engagement is expected. This is particularly important for research students, whose studies often continue throughout the year and may not follow traditional term dates.
- Attending lectures, seminars, classes, tutorials, or other scheduled teaching activities.
- Preparing for and sitting examinations.
- Completing coursework, assignments, and assessments.
- Researching, writing, and submitting a dissertation, thesis, or final project.
- Undertaking any other academic activity required as part of the course.
Students should not assume that term time ends when formal teaching finishes. If they are still expected to complete coursework, prepare for assessments, or work on a dissertation or thesis, they are likely to remain in term time for Student visa purposes
A student is considered to be outside term time only during official vacation periods or at other times when their Student sponsor does not require them to study.
| Student Category | Term-Time Status | Working Hours Outside Term Time |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | Considered in term time during teaching, assessment and any required academic activity. If academic work is required during a vacation period (e.g. summer modules, examinations, coursework or dissertation work), term-time restrictions continue to apply. | May normally work full-time during official University vacation periods. |
| Postgraduate Taught Students | Usually considered in term time throughout the taught elements of their course and while completing their dissertation or final project. | May normally work full-time only after all academic requirements have been completed, subject to visa conditions. |
| Postgraduate Research Students (PhD/Research Masters) | Generally considered to be in term time for the duration of their studies and do not normally have official vacation periods. | May only work beyond their term-time limit during periods of annual leave approved in advance by their academic supervisor and recorded in line with University procedures. |
Students who have permission to work under the Student route may undertake a variety of employment opportunities while studying in the UK. Any work undertaken must comply with the conditions of their visa, including any restrictions on working hours during term time. Students must also ensure that they remain engaged with their studies, as the primary purpose of the Student visa is to undertake their course of study.
Examples of work that may be undertaken by eligible Student visa holders include:
| Type of Work | Examples |
|---|---|
| Part-time employment | Jobs undertaken alongside studies during term-time, within permitted working hours. |
| Temporary or casual work | Seasonal, short-term, or ad hoc employment. |
| Voluntary Work | Unpaid work for a charity, voluntary organisation, or public body. Voluntary work is treated as employment and counts towards a student's permitted working hours |
| Paid internships | Internship opportunities that provide practical workplace experience. |
| Course-related work placements | Work placements that form an assessed or integrated part of a student's programme of study. |
| Multiple employers | Employment with more than one employer, provided the student's total working hours do not exceed the permitted limit. |
While the Student visa route allows many international students to undertake employment in the UK, certain types of work are prohibited. Undertaking any of the activities outlined below would constitute a breach of the conditions attached to a Student visa and may have serious consequences, including the curtailment of immigration permission and potential implications for future visa applications.
Student visa holders are responsible for ensuring that any employment they undertake complies with their immigration conditions. If there is any uncertainty about whether a role, activity, or employment arrangement is permitted, advice should be sought from the International Student Team before commencing the work. This is particularly important where the role involves freelance work, self-employment, business interests, or other non-standard employment arrangements.
| Activity | Examples |
|---|---|
| Self-employment | Freelancing, consultancy, private tutoring, content creation, or selling goods/services directly to customers. |
| Business activity | Running a business, owning 10% or more of a company, or acting as a company director. |
| Full-time permanent employment | Any full-time role with no contractual end date. |
| Professional sportsperson or sports coach | Paid or unpaid participation in professional sport or sports coaching. |
| Entertainer | Acting, dancing, music performance, or other entertainment work. |
| Doctor or dentist in training | Unless part of an approved Foundation Programme. |
Student visa holders must comply with the work conditions attached to their immigration permission at all times. Working more hours than permitted, or undertaking employment that is prohibited under Student visa conditions, constitutes a breach of UK immigration rules and may have serious consequences for both the individual and their employer.
| Potential Consequence | Impact |
|---|---|
| Current Immigration Permission | A breach of work conditions may affect the individual's current immigration status and permission to remain in the UK |
| Future Visa Applications | Non-compliance may have implications for future UK immigration applications, including applications to extend permission or switch to another visa route. |
| Home Office Action | Breaches of visa conditions may result in enforcement action being taken by the Home Office. |
| Employer Liability | Employers may face civil penalties or other sanctions if they employ an individual in breach of their immigration conditions. |
Evidencing Right to Work
Students who hold a Student visa and have permission to work must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK before commencing employment. Employers have a legal obligation to carry out a right to work check before employment begins and, in some cases, may need to conduct follow-up checks during employment.
In most cases, Student visa holders can evidence their right to work by generating a share code through the Home Office online right to work service and providing it to their employer. Depending on the nature of the work and the student's visa conditions, employers may also require confirmation of term and vacation dates to ensure working hours are compliant with immigration requirements.
The sections below explain how to use the Home Office online service and how students can obtain evidence of their academic term and vacation dates where required.
Before starting employment in the UK, Student visa holders who have permission to work must demonstrate their right to work to their employer. Employers are legally required to carry out a Right to Work check before employment begins to confirm an individual's immigration status and any conditions or restrictions attached to their permission to work.
In most cases, students can evidence their right to work by generating a share code through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online service and providing this to their employer. The share code allows employers to securely access and verify a student's digital immigration status and right to work in the UK.
Students can generate a share code using the UKVI online service
Please note that the UKVI online service only confirms a student's immigration status and right to work. It does not provide information about a student's course, expected completion date, or academic commitments.
Student visa holders are subject to restrictions on the number of hours they can work during term time. As a result, employers should request evidence of a student's official term and vacation dates as part of the Right to Work checking process. This helps employers determine when a student may be eligible to work additional hours and ensures that any employment complies with the conditions of the student's immigration permission.
In addition to conducting a Right to Work check using a student's UKVI share code, employers are required to obtain and retain evidence of the student's academic term and vacation dates throughout the period of employment. Depending on the employer's processes, this information may be requested for the full duration of the course or updated annually.
Students can normally provide evidence of their term and vacation dates using the documents outlined below.
| Student Category | Evidence of Term and Vacation Dates |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | A printout or link to the University's published term dates. |
| Postgraduate Taught (Master's) Students | A printout or link to the University's published term dates. |
| Postgraduate Research Students (PhD/Research Master's) | A Certificate of Student Status or other University-issued letter confirming approved term, vacation, or annual leave dates. |
Providing accurate and up-to-date evidence of term and vacation dates will help employers meet their compliance obligations and ensure that any work undertaken remains within the conditions of the student's Student visa.
Completion of Studies
For many international students, the completion of studies marks the transition from studying to pursuing employment opportunities or further immigration options in the UK. It is a significant point in a student's immigration journey, as it can affect both their right to work and their eligibility for future visa routes. As Student visa holders are generally restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time, establishing when a course has been completed is an important consideration for both students and employers.
Once studies have been completed, students may usually work full-time, provided this is permitted by the conditions of their visa. However, restrictions on taking permanent employment may continue to apply until a student is granted a different immigration status, subject to limited exceptions. Understanding when a course is regarded as complete is therefore essential to ensure compliance with UK immigration requirements and to help students plan their next steps.
The guidance below outlines the key factors that may be relevant when determining whether a student has completed their course:
For immigration purposes, the period following the completion of a course is generally considered to be outside of term-time. This is particularly important as Student visa holders are ordinarily restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time, but may have greater flexibility once their studies have been completed.
Students studying at degree level and above are normally granted Student permission that covers the length of their course, together with a further period of leave after the course end date. This post-study period, often referred to as the wrap-up period, is typically four months in length. Students who have completed their studies may usually work full-time during this period, subject to the conditions of their Student visa. However, they must not normally fill a permanent full-time vacancy until they have obtained immigration permission that allows them to do so.
| To work full-time, students will normally need to: |
|---|
| ✅ Complete all academic requirements of their course |
| ✅ Have reached the course end date stated on their CAS |
| ✅ No longer be in term-time |
| ✅ Continue to comply with all other conditions attached to their Student visa |
Employers may require confirmation that a student has completed their studies before employment can commence or before working arrangements can be amended. This is particularly common where a student is switching from the Student route to a work-related immigration route from within the UK.
For immigration purposes, the key consideration is whether the student has completed all academic requirements of their course. In many cases, a student may be regarded as having completed their studies before formal results have been issued or before attending a graduation ceremony.
Evidence of course completion is typically provided through a course completion letter, academic transcript, or other formal confirmation issued by the Student sponsor. When assessing whether a student has completed their course, the following evidence will often be relevant:
- The course end date stated on the student's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS); and
- Confirmation from the Student sponsor that the student has completed all academic requirements of their course.
Together, these documents can help demonstrate that a student has completed their studies for immigration and employment purposes.
Post Study Work Visas
After completing their studies, many international students choose to remain in the UK to pursue employment, undertake further study, or explore other academic and professional opportunities. The UK immigration system offers a range of post-study visa options, each with its own eligibility requirements, benefits, and restrictions.
The most suitable route will depend on an individual's qualifications, career plans, and personal circumstances. The information below provides an overview of some of the most common visa options available to international students after graduation, including opportunities to remain in the UK for work, research, or skills development.
The Graduate Visa enables international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK qualification to remain in the UK and work without requiring employer sponsorship.
Designed to support graduates as they transition from study to employment, this route provides the flexibility to work in most occupations, change employers, seek new employment opportunities, or undertake self-employment. As the visa is not linked to a specific employer, it allows graduates to gain valuable professional experience and develop their careers within the UK labour market.
Permission under the Graduate route is granted for:
Bachelor's or Master's Degree
- Apply by 31 December 2026 → 2 years
- Apply from 1 January 2027 → 18 months
PhD or Doctoral Qualification
- Any application date → 3 years
The Graduate Visa cannot be extended. However, it can provide a valuable pathway to longer-term immigration options. Visa holders may be eligible to switch into another immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, should they wish to continue living and working in the UK beyond the duration of their Graduate Visa.
To qualify for a Graduate Visa, applicants must have successfully completed an eligible course of study in the UK and meet the immigration requirements set out below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Must be in the UK when applying. |
| Current Immigration Status | Must hold a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) Student visa. |
| Course Completion | Must have successfully completed an eligible UK degree or qualification. |
| Study Requirement | Must have studied in the UK for the required minimum period. |
| Institution Confirmation | Your university or college must have notified the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. |
Further information, including eligibility requirements and application guidance
The Global Talent visa is designed for individuals who are recognised as leaders, or who show exceptional promise, in fields such as academia and research, arts and culture, and digital technology. Unlike sponsored work routes, the Global Talent visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, giving visa holders flexibility to work, undertake research, change employers, or become self-employed.
For students who have completed their studies and are looking to develop an academic, research, or specialist professional career in the UK, the Global Talent route may provide an attractive alternative to employer-sponsored immigration routes. The visa also offers a potential pathway to settlement in the UK, with qualifying periods varying depending on the basis of the application.
Most applicants must first obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body before applying for the visa. However, some individuals may qualify through a recognised award and may be eligible to apply without obtaining an endorsement.
To qualify for a Global Talent visa, applicants must generally meet the requirements set out below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be aged 18 or over. |
| Endorsement or Eligible Award | Must hold an endorsement from an approved endorsing body, or qualify through an eligible prestigious prize. |
| Field of Expertise | Must demonstrate talent or promise in an eligible field, such as academia and research, arts and culture, or digital technology. |
| Application Location | Can usually apply from within the UK if eligible to switch from a Student visa. |
| Immigration Requirements | Must meet the relevant suitability and immigration requirements. |
The Skilled Worker visa is the UK's main employer-sponsored work route and is commonly used by international graduates who have secured skilled employment in the UK. The route allows individuals to live and work in the UK in an eligible role with an employer that holds a Home Office sponsor licence.
For many students, the Skilled Worker route provides a longer-term immigration option after graduation. Unlike the Graduate Visa, applicants must have a job offer from a sponsoring employer before they can apply. The role must meet the relevant skill and salary requirements, and the employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to support the application.
The Skilled Worker visa can lead to settlement in the UK, provided the relevant requirements are met.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must generally meet the requirements set out below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Offer | Must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer that holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | Must be assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship by the sponsoring employer. |
| Eligible Occupation | The role must appear on the Home Office list of eligible occupations. |
| Salary Requirement | The role must meet the applicable salary requirements for the Skilled Worker route. |
| English Language | Must demonstrate English language ability to the required standard. |
| Application Location | Students may often apply from within the UK, provided they meet the switching requirements. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Working in the UK on a Student visa can offer valuable opportunities to gain experience, develop skills, and support your studies. However, there are important immigration rules that govern the type and amount of work you can undertake while studying.The questions and answers below cover some of the most common enquiries from students about employment, volunteering, self-employment, internships, and other work-related activities while holding a Student visa.
Please note that this information is provided as general guidance only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individual immigration advice. As visa conditions and personal circumstances can vary, it is your responsibility to ensure that any work or work-related activity complies with the conditions of your visa.
If you are unsure whether a particular job, working arrangement, placement, or opportunity is permitted, you should seek advice from the University's Visas and Immigration Team before proceeding.Obtaining advice in advance can help you avoid breaching your visa conditions and ensure that you remain compliant with UK immigration requirements throughout your studies.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I have more than one job? | Yes. You can work for more than one employer, provided you do not exceed the working hours permitted by your Student visa. |
| How are my working hours calculated? | Your permitted working hours apply across all jobs combined. If you have more than one employer, you must add together the hours worked for each role. |
| Can I work remotely? | Yes. You can work remotely if the role is permitted under your Student visa and you remain within your permitted working hours. |
| Can I work for Uber Eats, Deliveroo or other delivery services? | This depends on your working arrangement. If the role involves self-employment or working as an independent contractor, it is not permitted under a Student visa. |
| Can I be self-employed or work as a freelancer? | No. Student visa holders must not be self-employed, run a business, or work as a freelancer. |
| Can I start my own business? | No. Student visa holders are not permitted to establish or operate a business in the UK. |
| Can I work before my course starts? | You may be able to work before your course begins if your Student visa has already started and your visa conditions permit it. |
| Can I work full-time after submitting my dissertation? | Not necessarily. For many postgraduate students, the dissertation period is still considered term time. You should only work full-time once you have successfully completed your course and your visa conditions allow it. |
| Does unpaid work count towards my working hours? | It depends. Voluntary work counts towards your permitted working hours, whereas volunteering generally does not. |
| Can I undertake an internship? | Yes, provided it complies with your Student visa conditions. If the internship forms part of your course, different rules may apply. |
| Can I work more than 20 hours if my employer asks me to? | No. You must not exceed the working hours permitted by your Student visa, even if your employer requests it or offers additional shifts. |
| Can I accept a permanent full-time job? | No, not while you are studying on a Student visa. After successfully completing your course, you may be able to work full-time until your Student visa expires, or switch to another immigration route such as the Graduate or Skilled Worker visa. |
| What happens if I accidentally breach my work conditions? | Working more hours than permitted or undertaking prohibited employment may affect your immigration status and future UK visa applications. If you believe you may have breached your visa conditions, contact the University's Visas and Immigration Team as soon as possible. |
| What should I do if I'm unsure about my work conditions? | Contact the University's Visas and Immigration Team before accepting a role, changing your working arrangements, or increasing your working hours. |
Still have questions?
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact the University's Visas and Immigration Team for advice before accepting employment or changing your working pattern. Seeking advice early can help ensure that you remain compliant with the conditions of your Student visa.