Many international students in the UK choose to work in part-time jobs as they give international students the chance to earn some extra cash, learn how to budget their living expenses better, grow their network, and acquire new skills. You’ll also gain valuable exposure to British working culture which can prepare you for full-time work in the UK after you graduate.
While part-time jobs in the UK can be a rewarding experience for international students, it’s important to thoroughly understand your visa conditions before you engage in work. Before diving into these regulations, let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of doing part-time work in the UK as an international student.
Benefits of part-time jobs in the UK for international students
There are many benefits to working in the UK as an international student. These include:
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Funds to help with your daily expenses – The biggest advantage of doing a part-time job is the financial compensation. Your wages can help you meet your daily expenses and explore a variety of activities outside the classroom
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Experience to boost your CV – Any type of part-time job will be crucial in developing your soft skills, such as punctuality, your ability to work with a team, and your customer service skills. These transferable skills can help you stand out in the job market after you graduate.
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Opportunities to socialise – One of the best ways to make new friends and familiarise yourself with British culture is to do part-time work as you get to interact with people from all over the world and learn from a variety of perspectives.
While taking advantage of these opportunities in the UK, it’s also important to keep in mind the rules and regulations you have to follow while doing part-time work in the UK and we’ll be taking a look at these next.
Rules and regulations for part-time jobs in the UK for international students
Regardless of whether your job is paid or voluntary, you need to be aware of the regulations governing part-time work in the UK for Student visa holders. While these can seem challenging to understand at first, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), which supports international students in the UK, has a comprehensive guide on this subject.
The UKCISA advises international students to comply with the immigration restrictions when doing a part-time job and in the next few sections, we’ll be taking a closer look at the number of hours you can work per week, your eligibility to work in the UK, and the country’s minimum wage.
Permitted hours per week
The number of hours you can work per week depends on the level of study you plan to pursue and whether you’re working while your academic session is in progress:
| Permitted working hours for international students studying at degree level or above | |
|---|---|
| During term time | Up to 20 hours a week |
| During official holidays | Full time |
As there are a limited number of hours students are permitted to work per week, it’s important to make sure you don’t exceed the maximum number of hours you can work per week. This is especially important if you’re working multiple jobs—a regularly updated record of your work hours every day can help you keep track of them so you don’t exceed the maximum permitted hours. In addition to the number of working hours, there are other conditions you need to meet when holding a UK Student visa. Let’s take a look at these now.
Eligibility
Doing part-time work in the UK on your UK Student visa means adhering to certain conditions, such as the type of work and the maximum number of working hours per week. Here’s a list of everything you need to be aware of before you start doing a part-time job in the UK:
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Job role and working hours – If you have a UK Student visa, you can generally do any type of job in a paid role, at any level, and you’re not restricted to working on campus. However, the Home Office (the UK government’s Department for Immigration and Emigration) may question you about your working hours if you earn more than most other students do – usually, around £15,000 per year.
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Work placement or internship – A work placement or internship assessed as “being an integral part of your course” is separate from any other type of employment, so the hours you spend interning or on a work placement won’t be counted as part of your 20-hour working week.
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Volunteer work – Volunteering doesn’t count towards the maximum number of hours you can work only if it meets the definition of volunteering in the Student route caseworker guidance. In summary, the guide defines volunteering as an activity that doesn’t have a contract, doesn’t substitute the role of an employee, and isn’t unpaid work.
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Work you cannot do on your UK Student visa – There are a few specific types of part-time work students are not allowed to do as an international student in the UK – self-employment, a business activity (such as selling items you make online), professional sports, and work in the entertainment industry.
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Gig economy jobs – Work categorised as ‘self-employment’ also means most work you’ll do for the gig economy. Working in the gig economy means working short-term roles where you control your working hours, such as working for companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, DPD, Evri, and Uber. Most of these companies consider workers as self-employed contractors, not employees, making this a type of work you are required to avoid if you’re on a UK Student visa.
In addition to regulating the type of work you do in the UK as an international student, the UK government also regulates the minimum wage employers are obligated to pay their employees. This is important to be familiar with to make sure you know you’re getting paid fairly, so we’ll be covering this in the next section.
National Minimum Wage for international students
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers in the UK are entitled to, and it depends on a worker’s age and if they’re working as an apprentice. It doesn’t matter how small your employer is, they still have to pay you the correct NMW.
| NMW as of 1 April 2024 | Hourly Rate (£) |
|---|---|
| For workers who are 21 years and over (Also referred to as the National Living Wage) | £11.44 |
| For workers between 18 and 20 years of age | £8.60 |
| For workers between 16 and 17 years of age | £6.40 |
| Apprentice rate | £6.40 |
In addition to being aware of the NMW, it’s also important to know about the National Insurance Number as anyone who works in the UK is required to have one to keep a record of their tax contributions to the government.
National Insurance number for Indian students in the UK
Contributions to the National Insurance help fund the UK’s National Health Service and by making contributions, you build up your entitlement to certain social security benefits. You can apply for a National Insurance Number if you live in the UK, have the right to work in the UK, or are working, looking for work, or have an offer to start work.
While you can start work before you receive your insurance number, it’s best to apply for one as soon as possible. The number will be lifelong, and won’t change despite changes to your personal details.
Now that we’ve covered the rules and regulations governing part-time jobs in the UK for international students, let’s take a look at the type of work you can do.
Types of part-time jobs in the UK for international students
When searching for part-time work in the UK, you’ll come across a wide variety of roles from different industries but there are three overall types of jobs you can apply for:
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On-campus jobs – On-campus jobs are positions available at your college or university—finding one can be competitive as many students prefer them due to their convenient location. On-campus job opportunities can be found in various departments inside your university, including the library, computer labs, reception, gym, cafeteria, and more.
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Off-campus jobs – Off-campus jobs will give you a broader range of opportunities but may require commuting. These positions can include office work, receptionist roles, waiter/waitress positions, call centre roles and data entry.
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Part-time online jobs – In addition to on-campus and off-campus opportunities, international students in the UK can also explore part-time online jobs. Online jobs typically require only a laptop and a stable internet connection, both readily available to students. Due to this reason, these remote positions offer flexibility and can be highly advantageous, especially if you have a demanding academic schedule.
Regardless of whether you find a job on-campus, off-campus, or online, the payment you’ll be receiving will likely be one of the most important factors for you. That’s why we’ve narrowed down the highest-paying part-time jobs in the UK for international students below.
Highest-paying part-time jobs in the UK for international students
When considering a part-time job in the UK, remember to look at factors such as flexibility, the distance to the workplace from where you’re staying, whether you’ll have to take up night shifts, and most importantly, the wages. Here are some of the highest-paying part-time jobs in the UK.
Cleaner
Cleaning is one of the most popular part-time jobs in the UK as it’s both flexible and easily available around the country. Many industries look for cleaners, including hotels, universities, and supermarkets.
Minimum wage: £13.00
Teaching Assistant
Becoming a teaching assistant is a lucrative option for many postgraduate students, especially as it allows them to get valuable hands-on experience in academic settings.
Minimum wage: £12.00
Retail Assistant
A retail assistant is a customer-facing role, meaning you’ll be working directly with customers, answering their queries and helping them find products. Many industries, such as clothing and cosmetics industries, look for friendly, outgoing people to work as retail assistants.
Minimum wage: £9.00
Cashier
Another role requiring you to be customer-friendly is a cashier. Most supermarkets and other retail environments look for cashiers who are quick with the till, efficient, and helpful towards customers.
Minimum wage: £13.00
Bar Staff
Bartending is an exciting option for many students as it requires customer interaction and gaining skills in mixology. You’ll be tasked with serving quality drinks, keeping the bar area clean, and maintaining an accurate cash drawer.
Minimum wage: £12.00
The roles we’ve listed above are commonly found in many regions across the UK, but when you first arrive, it can be challenging to start looking for part-time jobs. We’ve provided you with a guide to getting started below.
How to find part-time jobs in the UK
There are many resources available for international students who wish to find part-time work in the UK. The first step to doing so is to create a compelling CV in the UK format:
- Your header should include your bio details, such as name and contact details
- Begin your CV with a short (four to five lines) personal statement describing your goals and that you’re looking for part-time work
- List out your experiences next
- Afterwards, list your education
- Include the skills that you think will best suit the role you’re applying for
- Finally, end with your availability for work – the days and times of the week your schedule allows you
Once you’ve created your CV, it’s time to explore job opportunities.
Where to look for part-time jobs in the UK for international students
Looking for work in the UK requires dedication and the ability to network. You can look for part-time job opportunities in:
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Local newspapers – Local newspapers often list part-time job openings in your area, making it easy to find positions that suit your needs and are within close proximity to your accommodation.
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Online job portals – Use online job portals to search for a wide range of job opportunities tailored to students in the UK. You can filter jobs based on your course, location, and other preferences, including work-from-home positions. Online job portals include StudentJob, Indeed, and Save the Student.
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University recruitment teams – Your university likely has a dedicated recruitment team to help you find full-time and part-time job opportunities and internships. Don't hesitate to contact them for job assistance as they can also help you with resume and job interview tips.
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Personal connections – Reach out to friends and fellow students with part-time jobs as receptionists, waiters, or other roles. They can help you find openings in their workplaces.
You can increase your chances of finding the right part-time job from these sources, helping you identify an opportunity that complements your studies and allows you to thrive as an international student in the UK. It’s also important to strategically balance your studies and work, and you can get a head start with this by taking a look at our table of dos and don’ts.
Balance your studies and work
When doing a part-time job in the UK as an international student, it’s important to stay focused on your primary purpose in the UK – successfully graduating with good grades. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Attend your classes regularly as missing out on your minimum attendance percentage can affect your ability to sit for exams and submit assignments | Take up a permanent or full-time job |
| Make academics your top priority as your UK degree will be the most valuable thing you take from your time in the UK as a student | Don’t exceed the maximum work hours per week |
| Ensure you abide by the regulations governing part-time work in the UK | Don’t be self-employed |
Conclusion
The UK is a great destination for international students who’re looking to do part-time work while completing their degree as it allows them a chance to manage their expenses, make new friends, and develop valuable skills. If you want to learn more about working a part-time job in the US as an international student along with the conditions, requirements, and types of jobs available, reach out to one of our experts. We can help clear your doubts about life in the UK as an international student, advise you on the best places to look for work, and with any other student life questions you may have.
FAQs
How much can international students earn in the UK part-time?
On average, international students earn approximately £200 to £400 per week at £11.44 an hour (the National Minimum Wage for those who’re over the age of 21). This can help students cover a portion of their living expenses in the UK.
Is it easy for international students to get part-time jobs in the UK?
How easy it is to find part-time work in the UK depends on a number of factors, including whether you’re living in an urbanised area and your English language competency. You can start your job hunt with your university’s career office, and then reach out to friends or check online job portals. Many universities will also regularly host career events and networking events that can help you learn more about part-time jobs in your city. You’ll especially find it easier to find more opportunities once you’ve gained some experience working in the UK.
How much is one hour’s salary in the UK for international students?
Students who are 21 years or older can earn a minimum of £11.44 per hour—the National Living Wage stipulated by the UK government. Every employer is required to pay you this amount at minimum, but you might find jobs paying more per hour depending on the type of job and the city you live in.
Can I work for 40 hours in the UK as an international student?
As an international student in the UK, you can only work for 40 hours (or an unlimited number of hours) during holidays. Keep in mind you can only work 20 hours per week when your academic term is in session.
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