As an international student, you're limited on how many hours you can work in a job during term-time. This means any work you do will have to be managed between your free time and your studying time.
As well as time limitations, what kind of work are you allowed to do? What are you not allowed to do? Let’s explore these questions and the UK’s rules on student working hours.
- How many hours can you work?
- What kind of work can you do?
- What work can you not do?
- Volunteering while studying
- Work placements and internships
How many hours can you work?
Depending on the type of Tier 4 sponsor you have, you'll be allowed to work during your time studying abroad. But, there’s a limit on the amount of hours you can work.
Students on a Tier 4 general student visa are permitted to work:
- up to 20 hours a week during term time if you’re studying for a qualification at degree level
- up to 10 hours a week during term time if you’re studying for a qualification below degree level, such as the International Foundation course with INTO Newcastle
- full-time for study at all qualification levels during vacation periods, except for postgraduate students whose summer is classed as term-time
- full-time for students in a work placement or internship
- full-time for students who have graduated
Students in a placement year can work full-time, but this involves renewing and extending your visa.
What kind of work can you do?
If you’re allowed to work during term time, you can apply for and accept jobs in almost any industry and at any level. There is no limit on the amount you can earn, but you must make sure that you’re not exceeding the 20 hours per week work limit or any limit you have been given on your visa.
You must also try and find a good balance between working and studying. Make sure that if you do get a job, it doesn’t interfere with your studies.
What work can you not do?
There are a number of job types that students on a Tier 4 visa are not allowed to do while studying. For example, during university, you’re not allowed to be self-employed and carry out any business activities related to that employment.
You’re also not allowed to work as:
- a professional sportsperson or coach
- a professional entertainer, such as an actor, musician or dancer
- a doctor or dentist in training, unless you are on a specific foundation programme
However, if you’re studying for a university degree related to any of the above, you are able to work in those positions - provided it is course-related work placement. These placements will come as part of the study programme. But it cannot be your main profession or source of income.
Volunteering while studying
Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet people, develop your skills and CV and also give back to the community. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can explore the National Council for Voluntary Organisations or the volunteering section on the Newcastle University website. Similarly, Newcastle University runs a volunteering service, Go Volunteer, that you can use.
In the UK, there’s a specific difference between unpaid employment (voluntary work) and volunteering and it directly relates to student working hours. If the position is described as ‘voluntary work’ or ‘unpaid employment’, it will count towards your 20 hour working limit.
However, if it’s just volunteering for a charity or public-sector organisation, there’s no limit on the amount of hours you can dedicate to this responsibility. But you should still make sure it won’t interfere with any of your studies.
More detailed information on volunteering as a student is presented in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance.
Work placements and internships
Work placements and internships are fantastic opportunities for students looking to experience what a career would be like and gain some valuable skills. Most importantly, they’re perfect for anyone looking at gathering experience relevant to the career they want in the future.
Most work placements are assessed parts of your course, with some not being an assessed part. They cannot be more than a third of your course in length. During this time, your university evaluates your progress and this adds towards your final grade, if the placement is an assessed one. Work placements can be paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time (even during term-time) if they’re an assessed part of your course. You can also work in a part-time job while doing your placement, but remember to stay aware of your weekly limit on working hours.
Internships can either be related or unrelated to your course. If they’re an assessed part of your course, they will count as a work placement. However, if it is not part of your course, it will come under the same restrictions as part-time work, which means you can only contribute 20 hours per week towards it during term time.
Some employers use the terms ‘internship’ and ‘work placement’ to mean the same thing, so before beginning one of these you should ask the employer what this work will count as.
Part-time jobs, volunteering, work placements and internships are all fantastic ways to develop your own skills and increase the chances of employment after you graduate. So how can you make the best of your applications? Our guide can help. You can also get in contact with Newcastle University’s dedicated Careers Service.
Enhance your employability skills
If you’re looking to advance your career after university you need to be able to create brilliant CVs and cover letters and tidy up your LinkedIn profile. You also need to be able to wow an employer in an interview. We have plenty of useful advice created by our careers team.