Working in United Kingdom

Q. Can I work whilst I am studying in the UK?
Ans:- Most students on courses of more than 6 months will be given a passport stamp that allows them to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during the vacations. For further information from UKCOSA about this topic, download the Guidance Note, ‘Students and employment’.

Q. Can my husband/wife/son/daughter work whilst I study in the UK?
Ans:- This will depend on the amount of time you are given to study in the UK. If you are given 12 months or more, then your husband / wife / son / daughter joining you in the UK should be given a passport stamp which allows him or her to work. For further information from UKCOSA about this topic, download the Guidance Note, ‘Dependants of international students’.

Q. Can I stay in the UK to work after I have finished studying?
Ans:- It may be possible for you to stay on in the UK for practical training or work experience. Under the ‘Training and Work Experience Scheme’, employers can apply for permits to employ a person in a particular post. It may also be possible to stay on in the UK under the ‘Innovators Scheme’. Note however, that it is very difficult to stay on in the UK after your studies under the ‘full work permit scheme’.

The Rules state that applicants must be able to support themselves and any dependants without working. This means that while there is provision for students to take employment during vacations or spare time, no account may be taken of any prospective earnings from that employment in assessing the ability of a student to meet the maintenance requirement, except where the educational establishment at which the student has a place:

is a publicly funded institution of further or higher education which is itself providing and guaranteeing the employment, and has provided details of how much the applicant will earn
is able to guarantee that there are jobs available and how much if anything the applicant will earn.

Students studying at UK institutions may take part-time or vacation work without needing to obtain permission from the local job centre. Similarly, they are able to do work placements which are part of a course or to undertake internship placements without the need to obtain permission from Work Permits (UK) .

The conditions covering the hours and type of work they may do are:

• The student should not work more than 20 hours per week during term time except where the placement meets the definition of a course or internship
• The student should not engage in business, self-employment or the provision of services as a professional sports person or entertainer
• the student should not pursue a career by filling a permanent, full-time vacancy.

Following the rules
As you can see, there are many employment opportunities for international students in the UK. But there are a few conditions you should keep in mind:

• You cannot run your own business, be self-employed, provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer, or pursue a career by taking a permanent full-time position.
• With the exception of work organised by your university or college, money that you hope to make while doing part-time or vacation work cannot form part of your visa application. You must show that you can meet the cost of studying and living in the UK without employment or financial assistance from the state.
• Note: Employment regulations for international students can change at any time, so check the current situation on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate web site www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

Some changes have been introduced that have made it easier for students to stay on in the UK to work. Subject to meeting the relevant criteria, students who have successfully completed a recognised degree course may be able to switch to work permit employment in the UK after completing their studies. An employer can apply for a work permit for such a student without the student having to return home first. You can find more information about the current position if you click on work permits- on the Home Office’s website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk Special provisions have always applied to doctors, dentists and nurses and these will continue.

You can find out what part-time jobs are available by consulting notice boards around your institution, looking in local newspapers and Jobcentres, and visiting your college or university placement office. Many institutions now have their own ‘job shop’, which displays part-time and holiday vacancies and, sometimes, issues job vacancy bulletins.

The careers service can also provide you with extensive information and advice about employment, training and further study and practical help with job-hunting and making applications.