Working in the UK

Doing part-time paid and/or voluntary work is a great way to mix with British people, get an insight into UK work-place culture and gain work experience. Before you apply for work, check whether you have permission to work in the UK and any restrictions on working which apply to you. Working too many hours can seriously affect your academic progress, so before you take a job think about whether the hours involved are compatible with your studies.

The work you do must not fill a full-time permanent vacancy (other than on a recognised Foundation Programme), and you must not be self-employed, employed as a doctor in training (except on a recognised Foundation Programme) or as a professional sportsperson, coach or entertainer.

The maximum amount of part-time work you can do during term time is:

• 20 hours per week if you are studying a course at or above UK degree level or a foundation degree course, and/or if you made your Tier 4 (General) application on or before 2 March 2010; or

• 10 hours per week if you are studying a course that is below UK degree level and is not a foundation degree course, and you made your Tier 4 (General) application on or after 3 March 2010.

You can work full-time during vacations, within the above limits. If you have completed your course and you apply to remain in the UK under the points-based system before your existing permission to stay expires, you can work full-time (within the above limits) until your application is decided.