The desire to pursue education and employment in the United Kingdom is a common aspiration among aspiring immigrants. Furthermore, a significant proportion of international students in the United Kingdom engage in employment alongside their academic pursuits in order to supplement their income or gain crucial skills and professional experience that will enhance their future career opportunities.
Due to the escalating cost of living in the United Kingdom, a significant number of overseas students perceive part-time employment in the arts and entertainment sector as a viable means of augmenting their financial resources.
While it is admirable to work and study, experts frequently advise foreign students to avoid relying on part-time employment to finance their education because living in the UK is one of the most expensive options. It is imperative to allocate funds for both living expenses and tuition in advance.
We will provide a comprehensive overview of the requirements for studying and working as an international student, as well as the limitations imposed on students who engage in both employment and study. It is important to note that this article encompasses universities that offer opportunities for students to engage in both work and study, as well as potential employment prospects.
Work Eligibility For International Students in the UK
Typically, international students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours a week, from Monday to Sunday. However, this limitation does not extend to citizens of EU or EEA countries. The following groups of international students are ineligible to engage in employment while pursuing their studies in the United Kingdom:
♦A course offered in a higher education institution.
♦The course is designed for students who are below the age of 16 and possess a Tier 4 (child) visa.
♦A part-time postgraduate course or higher that is endorsed by an accredited organisation in the United Kingdom or that receives financial assistance from the public as a higher education institution.
♦A course provided by a privately owned institution of higher education.
♦There are several study and work opportunities accessible to overseas students.
Work placements present a viable opportunity for overseas students seeking employment and work experience in the United Kingdom, particularly in cases where they do not meet the eligibility criteria for employment. Despite lacking legal authorization to work, international students are still permitted to engage in work placements as a component of their educational programme.
What is a work placement?
A work placement is a transient employment opportunity designed to provide a trainee with practical exposure to the career they are preparing for. Typically, you will engage in employment with a firm or organisation for a duration of six to twelve months prior to pursuing your last year of education.
Study and work as a student in the UK.
When seeking part-time employment, it is important to note that most of these roles are accessible to students and often do not necessitate much expertise or training, as the majority of the tasks will be performed on-site. However, in order to distinguish yourself as a more formidable candidate, it is advisable to adapt your CV to align with the specific requirements of the position you are pursuing.
You may also submit applications for any vacancies that your university may be filling. Universities frequently employ international students for part-time positions on campus or as research assistants for professors.
Below are some jobs that you can perform as a student in the UK:
- Hospitality roles
- Personal tutor
- Sales or retail jobs
- Customer Service Agents
- Blogger
- Graphic designer
- Delivery jobs
- Caretaker
- Part-time jobs in cafes or restaurants.
Jobs you are not permitted to perform as a student in the UK
- Professional sportsperson, including a sports coach.
- Work as a dentist or a doctor in training, unless you are enrolled in a foundation program.
- Self-employment or initiating a commercial activity.
- Full-time permanent jobs.
Your Financial Legal Rights in the UK as an International Student Working
As a worker in the UK, you are eligible to be paid the following based on your age:
- Under 18: £4.55 (£364 monthly)
- 18 to 20: £6.45 (£516 monthly)
- 21 to 24: £8.20 (£656 monthly)
- 25 and over: £8.72 (£697 monthly)
How many hours can you work as an international student?
International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the holidays. In general, universities provide resources to help students find part-time work, either off campus or in local areas.
In an email, a university’s International Junior Advisor emphasises the importance of the Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) in determining allowable work hours.
According to another source, international students are often permitted to work 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours during the summer. They can even work part-time while enrolled in school.
Is the National Insurance Number necessary for students working and studying abroad?
International students who want to learn more about their educational and employment options in the UK must apply for a National Insurance Number.
You can apply for a National Insurance Number for free and start working while you wait.
As an international student working part-time or full-time, you are required to pay national insurance and income taxes. You will now have access to certain state services, such as health insurance.
Work-after-Study Visa in the UK
International students can now stay in the UK after completing their studies, owing to a new post-study visa announced in September 2020 as part of the Graduate Immigration route.
International students who complete their undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK may stay and work for a maximum of two years (three years for PhD graduates) at any skill level, as long as they meet the conditions.
Universities in the UK that allow students to study and work
Coventry University:
The Coventry Institute is a public research institute situated in Coventry, England. The history of Coventry University is linked to the founding of the Coventry School of Design in 1843. The college was known as Lanchester Polytechnic from 1970 to 1987 before being awarded university status in 1992 by the Further and Higher Education Act. It was renamed Coventry University after that.
Because the courses are flexible, the institution’s tuition costs are frequently less than the maximum of £16,000 that UK universities are permitted to charge for full-time degrees. Due to the part-time nature of many of the courses offered, sessions may be held at unusual times, including on weekends and evenings.
University of Reading:
The University of Reading is a public research university located in Reading, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1892 as University College, Reading, and is now an extension college of the University of Oxford.
King George V gave the university the right to award degrees to its graduates in 1926, making it the only university to hold a royal charter between World Wars I and II. The university is commonly known as a “red brick university” because it was established in the nineteenth century.
University of Chester (United Kingdom):
The University of Chester is a public institution situated in Chester, England. The university was founded in the UK as a teacher-training college. It has a University Center in Shrewsbury, one in Warrington, and five campuses throughout the Chester region. It offers a range of foundational, undergraduate, and graduate courses in addition to conducting academic research.
Aberystwyth University:
Aberystwyth University offers its varied student body a well-rounded academic and cultural experience through worldwide collaborations and partnerships.Founded in 1872 and once a part of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth University is located in the Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth. It gained independence in 2007. The university offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs in business, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. It also has a beautiful campus by the sea. The campus has state-of-the-art amenities like sports complexes, libraries, and labs, and the Old College serves as a reminder of the university’s illustrious past. Aberystwyth University is well-known for its contributions to computer science, biology, and agriculture research. It is home to a number of research centres and institutions.
Brunel University, London:
Although it is usually simply known as Brunel, Brunel University London (BUL) is a public research university located in the Uxbridge neighborhood of London, England. It was established in 1966 and named in honor of the Victorian engineer and Industrial Revolution pioneer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Brunel College of Advanced Technology became Brunel University upon obtaining a royal charter in June 1966. Brunel University London (BUL) was formally founded in 2014. In the UK, the university is recognized as a plate-glass university.
Anglia Ruskin University:
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a public university located in East Anglia, United Kingdom. William John Beamont, a Fellow of Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, founded the Cambridge School of Art in 1858. It became a university in 1992, and in honor of the author and Oxford University professor John Ruskin, it took on his name in 2005. Ruskin gave the Cambridge School of Art’s inauguration speech in 1858. This is one of the “post-1992 universities.” The university’s motto is Latin excellentia per societatem, which translates to English excellence through cooperation.
University of Portsmouth:
Located in Portsmouth, England, the University of Portsmouth is a renowned academic institution that shows academic brilliance. Only five schools in the south-east of England have been awarded the highly esteemed Gold grade by the esteemed 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework. This institution is one of them. The institution, which ranks as the 25th largest in the UK, enrolls roughly 28,280 different students in undergraduate and graduate programs. It has a thriving academic community, which is well renowned.
University of Manchester:
Located in Manchester, England, the University of Manchester is a well-known public research university with an outstanding record and a dedication to academic achievement. Its main campus, located on Oxford Road just south of Manchester City Centre, acts as a center for research, education, and cultural enrichment. Notably, the university adds to the creative and intellectual landscape of the area while serving as the guardian of important cultural assets. These include the Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tabley House Collection, the John Rylands Library, the Manchester Museum, and the Whitworth Art Gallery.
University of Greenwich:
Located in Kent, the United Kingdom, and London, it is a famous public institution with a long history. It is called the Institution of Greenwich. Its origins can be seen in its former names, Thames Polytechnic and Woolwich Polytechnic. Located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich is the university’s main campus, which is housed at the recognizable Old Royal Naval College and its Avery Hill site. A third campus, which is part of a collaborative venture, is situated in Medway, Kent. The University of Greenwich offers a comprehensive array of subjects across disciplines such as architecture, business, computing, mathematics, education, engineering, humanities, maritime studies, natural sciences, pharmacy, and social sciences. The institution takes pride in its diverse academic portfolio, catering to a wide range of student interests and career aspirations.
University of Strathclyde:
The University of Strathclyde, also known as Oilthigh Shrath Chluaidh in Scottish Gaelic, is a public research university located in Glasgow, Scotland. This is Glasgow’s second-oldest institution, having opened as the Andersonian Institute in 1796. In 1964, it became the first technology university in the UK to be granted a royal charter. This institution, named for the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde, has more than 100 nationalities among its faculty and student population, making it the third largest in Scotland.
How to Apply To Study and Work in the UK
In the United Kingdom, applying for an undergraduate degree is a straightforward process. You can apply for up to five courses at once via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which streamlines the application process in exchange for a nominal processing fee. UCAS expedites the application process by managing every stage of it.
Begin by visiting the UCAS website, where you can complete your application form. Concurrently, create a personal statement. This statement allows you to distinguish yourself by expressing your enthusiasm for the subject, demonstrating relevant abilities, and emphasising life events and accomplishments. Also, attach a written reference from someone who can attest to your capacity to complete the course, such as a tutor or one of your school professors. It is best to contact your referees well in advance to ensure they have enough time to deliver the reference.
UK Study Application Deadlines
- October: Applicable for courses at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry.
- 15 January: Designated as the ‘on-time’ deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses.
- March: About some art and design courses.
- 30 June: The late deadline for most undergraduate courses. Applications received after this date automatically enter “clearing,” implying that your first choice is not guaranteed. Therefore, timely submission is crucial to securing your preferred course.
Let’s walk you through the simple process of applying to study in the UK:
- Decide on a university or college and course
- Register and apply
- Accept your offer
- Arrange funding
- Apply for a visa
- Prepare for your stay.
