Student work

Last modified: 23 August 2023

Most students aged 16 or older can work, even if it is only a course-related work placement. It is a great opportunity to make some extra money and to experience working life in the UK. You will also meet a wide range of people and enhance your career prospects. 

Work rights are a condition of your immigration permission. This means it is very important that you are clear about what you may and may not do. You must always follow any restrictions. We explain them on this page.  See also Home Office casework guidance and our information about Student conditions.

Our blog, A working definition, provides answers to a lot of your questions about work.  

You can work with Student permission as a Students' Union sabbatical officer. See also DependantsShort-term student visa and gov.uk.

On 5 October 2020, 'Tier 4 student leave' became 'Student' and 'Child student' permission. This change makes no difference to your work rights. 'Student' includes Tier 4 (General) and 'Child student' includes Tier 4 (Child). Short-term students are not included.

Who can work and working hours

Last modified: 23 August 2023

Many, but not all, Students and Child students can work. This depends on the type of student sponsor you have. Go to the register of Student sponsors and look at the Sponsor type and Status columns. When you have found your college or university, select the relevant option below to find out if you can work and your maximum working hours.

Always check the information on your immigration document. If it says "No work", you must not work. If you think this is a mistake, you must get it corrected before you take any employment.  See how to do this in Errors on 90-day vignette and Errors on BRP.

See Working hours below for information about how to ensure you do not exceed your maximum hours of employment.

You can find full details in these Home Office publications:

An employer's guide to right to work checks

Home Office Student and Child student caseworker guidance

Student sponsor with a track record

Overseas higher education institution

Independent school

Any other student sponsor

Working hours

Work placements and internships

Last modified: 27 July 2022

Placements are an excellent way of obtaining work experience. They can help you make career decisions and are helpful when you apply for jobs after your course.

You can usually do a work placement as part of your course even if you are not permitted to take employment. 

If you need help finding a work placement or internship, talk to your tutor or careers service. You might also find Student Circus helpful. It helps international students find jobs and provides information about work routes.

What is a work placement or internship?

Can you change your mind about doing or not doing a work placement?

Taking a work placement outside the UK

What kind of work can you do?

Last modified: 01 August 2022

If you can work during study, you can apply for and accept jobs in most types of paid role, at any level. You are not restricted to working on campus.

Below, you will find information about volunteering. We also explain the types of work you must not do. 

The Home Office might question your working hours if you earn more than most students. This could be around £15,000 a year. There are no limits on what you may earn or on your hours of work in vacations and after study. But make sure you never exceed the limit on your weekly working hours in term time. It is important that you do not let work interfere with making progress on your course.

Our blog "A working definition" looks at many types of work, and whether you can do them as a student.

For information about finding a job, see --> Finding work, employers and tax.

Volunteering

Work you must not do

Immigration health charge reimbursement

Last modified: 28 March 2023

Immigration health charge reimbursement

Two groups of people with Student permission can apply to have their immigration health charge reimbursed.

EHIC-holder who is not going to work in the UK

Health and care workers


Top