Frequently Asked Questions: Work (during and after studies)
1. Can I work whilst I study?
Most students at UEL who are in the UK on a student visa are able to work with certain restrictions. The main restriction being that you cannot work more than 20 hours a week in term time, although you can normally work unlimited hours during the official vacation times (but only if you are not supposed to be working on a dissertation or re sitting exams).
See the Working in the UK during Studies section of our web pages. for more information.
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2. When can I work full time?
If you have a student visa with a work restriction instead of a prohibition, you can normally work full time in the following circumstances
- In official vacation times as per the University Academic Calendar (if you are not required to work on your dissertation on re sits)
- When you have completed your course and have been awarded
For more detailed information, or if your employer wants to make sure that you can work full time, please read the Working in the UK During Studies pages.
Why Volunteer?
In a time of huge demand for internships and work experience a key way for you to gain new skills and gain experience within your chosen sector is to volunteer.
Volunteering can be based within a range of sectors and settings enabling you to boost your CV whilst developing you personal and professional networks.
Did you know?
- When recruiting 80% of employers value volunteering on a CV
- 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
- 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
- New research shows that volunteering work could be the added extra to make CV stand out from the crowd.
If you would like to have a look at the current volunteering offers that are available please check on the Volunteering website: https://www.uel.ac.uk/secure/eet/students/volunteering/opportunities.htm
If you cannot find a suitable opportunity or have a question for the team please email volunteering@uel.ac.uk
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3. Can I volunteer whilst I study?
International Students and Volunteering
The UK Border Agency guidelines for work classed as Volunteering are:
- there should be no payment, other than reasonable travel and meals expenditure actually incurred (not an allowance for the same);
- there should be no contractual obligations on the volunteer;
- the volunteer is providing a service for a registered voluntary or charitable organisation (or organisation that raises funds for either);
- the service is not a substitute for employment (i.e. fulfilling a role that a salaried worker would normally fulfil).
Volunteering is distinct from work paid or unpaid.
There is a difference between unpaid employment and voluntary work, and you should always check with the organisation which offers you voluntary work whether it might constitute ‘unpaid employment’. This is because most students in the UK have immigration permission which allows them to work during their studies but under strict restrictions, and any time you spend doing ‘unpaid employment’ counts towards the maximum number of hours of work you can do in a week.
If you or your employer are unsure as to whether the volunteering constitutes unpaid work the UK Border Agency has guidance for employers which deals with this question. You and your employer can find it in question 51 of Appendix A of the Comprehensive Guidance for Employers on Preventing Illegal Working at:
You must make sure that you comply with any work restrictions which apply to you. This is because the UK Border Agency (the UK Government department which is responsible for immigration) treats working in breach of your conditions very seriously. It can refuse your immigration application or remove you from the UK if you work too many hours or if you do work which you are not allowed to do.
If you have any queries please email the International Students Advice Team at isa@uel.ac.uk or see our web pages at www.uel.ac.uk/isa
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4. I have finished my course and I want to apply for a work visa, what should I do?
If you have finished your course and you wish to apply for a work visa, you should check the Working in the UK After Studies section of our web pages. and attend one of our regular workshops for students interested in working in the UK after studies.
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5. What other kind of visa can I apply for now that PSW has closed?
The UKBA abolished the Tier 1 PSW visa route on 6 April 2012. Therefore, if your degree is awarded after this date, you will not be able to apply for a PSW visa. However, there are other visas that you may be eligible for that will enable you to remain in the UK to work. Please see Working in the UK After Studies pages for more information. It is likely that you have to be well prepared if you plan to apply for one of these visas after you finish your course, so make sure you read all of the information available to give yourself plenty of time.
It is also worth noting that the UKBA have made changes to the Tier 2 (General) route with the closing of PSW, to enable graduates to apply under this route. Please see Updates for UEL students for more information.
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Tier 4 Sponsor Licence
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