Can I work in the UK on a student visa?

26.08.2021

Under the UK’s points-based immigration system, most foreign nationals wishing to study in the UK must apply for a Student visa.

In October 2020, the Tier 4 (General) student visa was replaced by the Student visa. This new and improved immigration route is open to both EU and non-EU nationals who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.

As a sponsored student, you must abide by certain rules throughout the duration of your stay in the UK. For example, you must show that you are academically engaged with your studies by attending all scheduled study activities and submitting all assessed work, otherwise you could risk having your sponsorship withdrawn and your student visa cancelled. You must also take care not to breach the other conditions of your leave, therefore you should ensure you are aware of the rules on what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.

A frequently asked question from international students when applying to study in the UK is: Can I work in the UK on a Student visa?

You may be looking to earn some extra money by taking on a part-time job around your studies, or perhaps you wish to carry out voluntary work. However, there are strict rules surrounding undertaking paid and unpaid work in the UK as a sponsored student. You may be able to work, but how much will depend on what you are studying and whether you are working in or out of term time.

What are the general activities permitted on a Student visa?

On a Student visa, you can:

Study
Work as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer
You may be able to work in certain circumstances – see below.

You cannot:

Claim public funds, including benefits or pensions
Work in certain jobs, such as a professional sportsperson, sports coach or entertainer
Fill a full-time permanent vacancy, unless the conditions in Appendix Student apply
Be self-employed or engage in business activity.

What type of work is allowed on a Student visa?

The type of work you are allowed to do on a Student visa depends on the type of sponsor you are studying at, and the level of the course you are studying. The Home Office guidance sets out the type of employment a Student is permitted to undertake.

If you are following a full-time course of study at degree-level or above, and your sponsor is a Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance, or an overseas Higher Education Institution and you are on a short-term study abroad programme in the UK, you may work:

Part-time during term time (up to a maximum of 20 hours a week)
Full-time during vacations, including the period before the course starts
On a work placement as part of the course
Full-time as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised programme
As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years

If you are following a full-time course of study below degree level and your sponsor is a HEP with a track record of compliance, you may work:

Part-time during term time (up to a maximum of 10 hours a week)
Full-time during vacations, including the period before the course starts
On a work placement as part of the course
As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years

If you are following a full-time course at any level, but your sponsor is not a HEP with a track record of compliance or an overseas Higher Education Institution sponsoring you on a study abroad programme, you may work:

On a work placement as part of the course (but only if the sponsor has Student sponsor status)
As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years

If you are undertaking any other form of study (including part-time courses), you are not permitted to carry out work or work placements as part of your course.

Periods of permission after you have completed your course are considered to be outside of term-time for the purposes of work. More information on the amount of hours a Student can work and the type of employment that is permitted can be found in Appendix Student.

What about voluntary work?

Students are permitted to volunteer whilst they are studying in the UK. However, it is important to note that the Home Office defines ‘volunteering’ and ‘voluntary work’ differently.

You can carry out voluntary work if you are permitted to work under the work conditions of your visa. Likewise, if you are not permitted to work then you may not do voluntary work.

However, any voluntary work and paid work must not exceed the total number of hours you are permitted to work during term time. For example, if you are permitted to work 20 hours a week during term-time, you could carry out 15 hours of paid work and 5 hours of voluntary work.

Factors to consider when determining if an activity constitutes voluntary work or volunteering are:

Voluntary workers will usually have contractual obligations to perform the work (for example to attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks), with the employer being contractually required to provide the work. The contract does not have to be written, and the worker is usually remunerated in kind.
Volunteers do not have a contract and they must not be a substitute for an employee. They must also not be receiving any ‘payment in kind’ (although they are sometimes reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).
Volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public sector organisations.

Immigration support for international students

If you have any queries regarding UK immigration or need some assistance with your student or graduate visa application, Smith Stone Walters would be happy to help.

To speak to a member of our team, please contact us today.