Can international students work in the UK after graduation?

Yes, the Graduate Route visa allows you to stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) to work or look for work at any skill level.

When should I apply for the Graduate Route visa?

Apply from within the UK after receiving your final results and before your Student visa expires. Processing takes approximately 8 weeks.

UK Part-Time Work Guide: Work Guide

Q: How many hours can I work on a Student visa?

Degree-level students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. Below-degree level students have more restrictions.

The process at a glance

01
Find Student-Friendly Jobs
Identify the best part-time roles for students
On-campus jobs (library, student union, research assistant), retail, hospitality, tutoring, and university ambassador roles are popular with international students. University career services often list positions specifically open to students. Subject-specific tutoring can pay well and build your CV.
02
Get Your NI Number
Apply for a National Insurance number
You need a National Insurance (NI) number to work in the UK. Apply through the HMRC website. You can start working without an NI number but must provide it once issued. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Your employer will use your NI number for tax and National Insurance contributions.
03
Balance Hours Legally
Work within your 20-hour weekly limit
During term time, you cannot exceed 20 hours per week total — across all employers. During holidays, you can work full-time. Your university defines your official term and holiday dates. Plan your schedule carefully and keep timesheets for your records.
04
Understand Tax
Know your tax obligations as a part-time worker
You pay income tax on earnings above £12,570 per year (2026/27 personal allowance) and National Insurance on earnings above £242 per week. Students can claim a tax refund if they overpay. Many employers offer student-friendly contracts with flexible hours around class schedules.

Overview

This guide provides comprehensive information about uk-part-time-work-guide-students for international students in the United Kingdom. Understanding UK immigration rules is essential for maintaining your student visa status and making informed decisions about your academic and professional future in the UK.

Key Information

International students in the UK must comply with their visa conditions. Key requirements include maintaining full-time enrollment, reporting to university within 10 days of arrival, and not exceeding authorized work hours. The Student visa allows certain types of employment subject to hourly limits and other restrictions.

Working During Your Studies

Student visa holders in the UK can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays, depending on program level. Degree-level students typically have this allowance. Available positions include retail, hospitality, administration, and on-campus roles through the university careers service.

Important Deadlines and Timelines

Important deadlines include visa application timelines, BRP collection within 10 days of arrival, and police registration if applicable. The Graduate Route visa must be applied for from within the UK before your current visa expires. Start preparing your Graduate Route application 3 months before your program end date.

Additional Resources and Support

Your university's international student support team is your primary resource for visa guidance. Additional support includes UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), the Home Office website, and student advice centers. Many universities offer workshops on visa compliance, part-time work, and post-study options.

The best student job is the one closest to your library — short commute, predictable hours, sympathetic employer. The pay rate matters less than your time saved.

Finding lawful part-time work as a Student visa holder

Target on-campus roles, retail, hospitality, and research assistant posts that accept term-time hour limits. Be transparent about the 20-hour cap in applications. Prepare a UK-style CV, right-to-work share code, and availability grid that matches your timetable. Remote freelance platforms are high risk if they treat you as self-employed. When a manager asks you to stay late, track hours so you do not accidentally breach conditions during busy weeks.

Pay, holidays, and dispute basics

You are generally entitled to National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage as applicable, itemised payslips, and statutory holiday accrual. Unpaid trial shifts beyond a short skills test can be unlawful. If hours or pay look wrong, raise it in writing with HR and keep copies. Serious exploitation can be reported through official channels — do not let fear of immigration status stop you from documenting wage theft, but get advice before taking steps that affect your studies.

Zero-hours contracts and your rights as a student worker

A zero-hours contract does not guarantee a minimum number of hours each week, but it also generally does not require you to accept every shift offered. Check the contract terms for exclusivity clauses — some employers try to prevent you from working for anyone else, which can be unenforceable depending on the wording. If your hours are cut in retaliation for refusing shifts, document the pattern and seek advice from your university’s student union advice centre or ACAS. Zero-hours workers are still entitled to holiday pay, rest breaks, and National Minimum Wage. Report issues to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority if exploitation is serious.

Joining a trade union as a student worker

Students in part-time employment have the same right to join a trade union as any other worker. Union membership can provide free legal advice on contract disputes, representation in disciplinary meetings, and collective bargaining for better pay and conditions. Most UK unions have a reduced student membership rate. If you work on campus, check whether the campus branch of UNISON, Unite, or UCU covers your job category. Union advice is confidential, and your employer cannot lawfully penalize you for joining.

Flashcards

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What you learned

End-of-guide quiz

3 questions

01
A café offers cash-in-hand at £8/hour with no payslip. Should you accept?
02
Your manager demands you skip your unpaid break to cover a busy hour. Is this OK?
03
You worked 12 hours but your payslip only shows 9. What is the right next step?

0 / 3 answered

Official sources

Verify rules, fees, and forms on first-party government sites. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.

Procedural deep-dives

For statutes, forms, deadlines, and evidence standards, use these legal owners on MyCaseworks.

UK immigration guides
Student visa, Graduate route, and tenancy procedural library.
Graduate route visa
Post-study work rules and evidence standards.
Renters’ Rights for international students
Deposit, eviction, and tenancy changes that affect students.

UK Part-Time Work Guide for International Students