Working While Studying

Student Route visa holders 

Your work entitlement depends on the level of your study and type of degree you are enrolled on.

Students studying

• at degree level (RQF 6) or above can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations.
• below degree level (e.g. Pre-Sessional course) can work up to 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations.
• on part-time postgraduate degrees (RQF 7 or above),  are not allowed to work, volunteer or take part in work placements.

There are some restrictions in terms of what kind of work you can do as a Student Route Visa holder. Visit our Student Route visa and Employment section  for more information.

Others, e.g. PBS dependants, ILR, Visitors, Short-term students, etc…  

Your vignette/ Biometric Residence Permit will tell you if you are allowed to work or not.

If you are a dependant of a Student Route visa holder who studying is at the University of Chichester, you are allowed to work.

If you are in the UK on a visitor route or short-term study route visa, you are not allowed to work, volunteer or take part in work placements.

The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age. You can see the regulations and current minimum wage rates on the UK government website.

Your National Insurance (NI) number is your own personal account number. It is unique to you and you keep the same one all your life. It makes sure that the NI contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.

Every person who works in the UK is assessed for the amount of NI they have to pay. The amount depends on how much you earn. If you are an international student and you have the right to work in the UK you will need a National Insurance number so that you can be assessed correctly.

The NI number application is simple. You need to complete a short online application form, which will ask you some questions about your personal circumstances and you will be asked to post some documents to verify your identity. If you need any help with this the International Student Advisers can assist you.

Income tax is deducted from your pay by your employer. Each employee has a personal allowance which tells you how much you can earn before paying tax. If your earnings are below your personal allowance then you do not pay any tax.  For more information on income tax please visit the UK government website . UKCISA also has a lot of useful information on tax and NI.

If you are a Tier 4/Student Route visa holder, you have various options for staying in the UK to work after completing your studies.

For example:

• Graduate Route 'Post-Study Work visa'
• Skilled Worker Route (formerly Tier 2)
• Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• Tier 5 Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa

Visit our post-study work section for more information on the above options.

There may be other immigration routes available to your depending on your circumstances. You can contact the International Student Advisers for more information.

We can also refer you to an external immigration adviser in the local area.

For more information on working after your studies please visit the UKCISA website.