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Working During Your Studies

Many International Students are allowed to do some work whilst they study in the UK. Normally you are allowed to work with some restrictions. However some students are prohibited from working.

In this page you can find information about working in the UK during your studies. For information on working in the UK after your studies click on the link below. This section does not apply to students from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. This section applies to all other nationals.

Working after your studies

For information on Working in the UK after studies click here.

Other Useful Resources

The Employability and Enterprise team can help UEL students to prepare for work - with CV workshops, careers counselling and interview practice and much more - see    - www.uel.ac.uk/eet/ for more info and where to find them.

More than Work is an online resource that can help you identify your skills in order to develop your CV, and explain your employment rights regarding part-time work in the UK. www.nases.org.uk/students/content/234963/international_students/

 

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Students prohibited from working

Student Visa

In some cases students are prohibited from working. To see if this is the case for you check your visa. Normally there are two types of stamps in your visa which prohibits any work. These may be:

  • 'No work or engaging in business' or
  • 'No work or recourse to public funds'

If you are in the UK on a Tier 4 or student visa and you have a prohibition stamp on your visa, please contact us and we may be able to request an amendment, to a restriction on work in place of prohibition, on your behalf.

Student Visitor Visa

If you are in the UK on a Student Visitor Visa, you are prohibited from working.

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Students allowed to work with restrictions

In most cases students who are in the UK on a Tier 4 / student visa can expect to receive a stamp on their visa which allows work with restrictions, rather than a prohibition on work. There are a few types of stamp allowing work but with restrictions on a student visa.

  • ' Able to work as authorised by The Secretary of State' or
  • ' No recourse to public funds. Work (and any other changes) must be authorised'
  • 'No recourse to public funds. Work limited to max 20 hrs per week during term time.'
  • 'No recourse to public fund. Work/ Business as in Tier 4 rules.'
  • 'Work 20 hrs max in term-time.'
  • 'Work 10 hrs max in term time'

These stamps do not mean that you have to contact the Secretaries of State for Employment and the Home Department. That would be impractical. Instead, the authorisation is already given and students with these stamps on their visas can work in three different types of work with the following two conditions:

  • a) students must not engage in business, self employment or provide sevices as a professional sportsperson or entertainer
  • b) students must not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy

The two types of work which International Students are allowed to do are:

  1. Part time and vacation employment - up to 20 hours a week in term-time, and full time during vacations (New rules from 03/03/2010 - mean that if you apply for a Tier 4 visa on or after 03/03/2010 for a course below Bachelors degree level, you will only be able to work up to 10 hours per week)
  2. Work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course' - Sandwich courses are courses which include the work placement as an integral part of the course in which the work placement is clearly defined and approved by the University, and the work placement must not extend beyond the end of the course.

Term Dates

You are only able to work up to 20 hours a week (or 10 hours in some cases) during official term time. The official UEL term times and vacation periods are as defined in the Academic Calender for 2012/13 in the Secretary & Registrar's Office webpages in the UEL website.

You can request a copy of the term dates from the Student Services helpdesk or by emailing studentserviceshd@uel.ac.uk with your name, student number and address

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Clarifications & Exceptions on working rules for some students

Re-sit students and/or students who have finished classes but awaiting exams

You are not allowed to work full time during the summer vactions period, until you have completed your exams/ resits.

If you are currently part time because you are re-sitting a module, you are not allowed to work full time.

Students who have finished their course

When you have completed your course, you can work full time hours for up to four months, as long as you have sufficient leave on your student visa.

If you have completed your course and received your results you can request a letter from studentserviceshd@uel.ac.uk confirming that you have been awarded.

Postgraduate Students

You are not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week (or 10 hours a week in some cases) in the summer vacation period if you are supposed to be working on your dissertation.

Students who have submitted a visa application under another Points Based System (PBS) category e.g. Tier 2 (General)

If you have submitted an in-time visa application under another qualifying Points Based System (PBS) visa category, whilst you are awaiting a decision, you are able to work full time hours until a decision has been made, even if this is longer than four months.

You will need to prove to your employer that this is the case. You should ensure that you have kept a photocopy of your passport and visa and together with the letter that you receive from the UK Border Agency confirming receipt of your visa application - show these to your employer.

Students who have submitted a Tier 4 (Student Visa) application

If you have submitted an in-time and valid Tier 4 application, whilst you are awaiting the result of your Tier 4 application, you remain on the same conditions of your current visa, even if your current visa has expired whilst the decision is being made.

Breaches of prohibition/ restriction - Illegal working

WARNING: Do not breach your prohibition or restrictions on working. The Home Office are getting stricter in their application of the regulations with potentially very serious consequences for the employee and the employer. It is classified as a criminal offence to breach these regulations which can lead to a fine of £5,000 and/ or up to 6 months in prison and the possibility of removal from the UK.

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If your employer wants to make certain that you can work

First of all your employer should check that you are on a student visa and have a restriction rather than a prohibition.

Both you and your employer have a legal responsibility to make sure that you are working within the immigration rules. Therefore your employer may want you to provide extra evidence to satisfy them of whether you can work full time at certain periods, according to the rules.

The University will not give you a letter confirming that you can work full time and this would have no legal basis anyway. However the university can confirm some information about you and your studies, which your employer can use to ascertain whether you can work (including periods when you can work full time):

  • your student status (letter from Student Services Helpdesk)
  • the standard univerity term dates (letter from Student Services Helpdesk)
  • if you have completed your course and been awarded (letter from Student Services Helpdesk)

If your employer is unsure of anything he/she can check by contacting the UK Border Agency's employers' helpline

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National Insurance & Tax

National Insurance

National Insurance Card

As an International student, you and any dependants must pay National Insurance (NI) contributions if you work in the same way as UK citizens. National Insurance contributions only commence when you start earning in excess of £146. If you are working in the UK you will need to apply for your unique National Insurance (NI) number.

To apply for an NI number you will need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions - HM Revenues & Customs.

You may apply for an NI number while you are looking for work. You may even begin work without an NI number, but once you have started then you should apply for an NI number if you haven't already got one. Your NI number will be issued to you in the form of a card (similar size to a credit card).

For more information on National Insurance and how to apply for an NI number click here.

Income Tax

International students and their dependants who work will be liable to pay income tax if they earn over the threshold of over approx £143 a week or approx £623 a month. This is based on the assumption that you will earn over £8,105 in a tax year (which starts and ends in April each year). For earnings above the threshold of £8,105, the tax rates for 2012/13 are as follows:

  • Basic rate - 20% for earnings up to £34,370
  • Higher rate - 40% for earnings over £34,371 but below £150,000
  • Additional rate - 50% for earnings above £150,000

If you are only working during the vacations and you don't expect that your annual salary will be over £7475 then you will need to fill in form P38(S), available from your employer.

If you have paid tax and have stopped working, you can claim tax back, by completing the P50 form available from HM Revenues & Customs

Minimum Wage

There are three rates of minimum wage according to age. You should not be paid at any rate lower than those quoted below, as this is a legal requirment on employers. (correct as at April 2012).

  • Main rate: £6.19 per hour (21 years and over)
  • Development rate £4.98 per hour (18 – 20 year olds)
  • Young workers rate £3.68 per hour (for workers under 18 who are above school leaving age).

For more information on the National Minimum Wage click here

National Minimum Wage Helpline 0800 917 2368

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Dependants of Students

Some people who are granted a visa for the UK as a dependant of a student are able to work, whilst others are not. It depends on the stamp in the dependant's passport.

Dependants allowed to work

Generally, if you have a stamp in your passport as the dependant of a student that allows you to work, you are free to work full or part time in any type of work. Normally this stamp is given when the student's course is longer than 12 months. You may also study full or part time.

Examples of the type of stamp in your dependants visa, allowing work, could be:

  • "Limited Leave to Remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds" or
  • "Leave to enter for until (specified time). No recourse to public funds"

NOTE: In summer 2011, the rules for dependants are changing so that only postgraduate students on courses of 12 months or longer can bring dependants to the UK. Dependants will retain the right to work.

Dependants not allowed to work

Generally those who have a visa as the dependant of a student whose course duration is less than 12 months will be given a stamp on their visa which prohibits work.

Examples of the type of stamp in your dependants visa which prohibit work could be:

  • "Limited leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds. No work or engaging in business" or
  • "Leave to enter for/ until (specified time). No recourse to public funds."

In the UK but not on a student visa?

If you are in the UK on any other type of visa other than 'student' or 'student dependant', you should check whether or not you are able to work. Broadly speaking, if you are in the UK on any type of visitors visa, you will be prohibited from working.

Working in the UK after your Studies

Click on this section for information on Working in the UK after your studies

  • Tier 2 (General)
  • Other work schemes

More Information on Working in the UK

For more detailed information on working in the UK see the following websites

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Comments & Suggestions:

Did you find these webpages useful? Is there anything that could be improved/ amended? If you have any comments or suggestions regarding our webpages and its contents, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email any comments/ suggestions to isa@uel.ac.uk

Page Updated 20/11/2012

Working in the UK after your studies

There are a number of schemes which allow you to stay on in the UK after your studies in order to work. Each scheme has it's own criteria for eligibility and length of leave granted.

Please note that there are other schemes available that are not covered on these webpages. Please see Working section of the UKBA website for more information.

Working in the UK

In this page you can find information about working in the UK after your studies. To go back to the pages about working in the UK during your studies click here.

Other Useful Resources

The Employability and Enterprise team can help UEL students to prepare for work - with CV workshops, careers counselling and interview practice and much more - see www.uel.ac.uk/eet/ for more info and where to find them.

It is essential to prepare yourself for employment by researching the areas that interest you and developing the skills and attributes that will help you to begin and maintain a successful graduate-level career. Visit 'Get that Job' to download your guide to successful employment.

'More than Work' is an online resource that can help you identify your skills in order to develop your CV, and explain your employment rights regarding part-time work in the UK.

If you’re considering your options and are thinking about working in other countries – check out these Country Guides with information about working in various countries around the world.

 

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

This scheme is aimed at those who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over and being actively involved in the running of one or more businesses in the UK.

  • Initially 3 year visa. Possibility of extension for a further 2 years
  • Possibility to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after 5 years (or 3 years in some cases)
  • You can switch to Tier 1 Entreprenuers in the UK from most Tier 1 , Tier 2, Tier 4 or student visas.
  • Points Based System - 95 points required
    • 25 points - Access to £200,000 (or £50,000 in specfic cases)
        • If you have access to at least£200,000 in either your own name or from a third party
        •  If you have access to at least £50,000 from venture capital firms, seed funding competitions and/or UK government departments
    • 25 points - The money is held in a regulated financial institution
    • 25 points - The money is disposable in the UK
    • 10 points - English Language (a degree studied at and awarded by UEL)
    • 10 points - maintenance (£800 for 90 days for applications in UK or £2800 for 90 days outside the UK)
  • More information available on UKBA website

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Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)

‘For those who have been identified by UK universities as having developed world class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation to establish one or more business in the UK.’

Sponsorship

In order to be eligible for this type of visa you will need to be 'sponsored' by UEL. We are currently updating these webpages with information about the UEL Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) application process. Please email isa@uel.ac.uk if you are interested in applying.

There is a maximum of 10 endorsements per HEI (overall UK limit of 1000 places)

The Sponsoring Institution must:

  • have established process for identifying, nurturing and developing student entrepreneurs ;
  • maintain contact with participants and assess progress at least quarterly; and
  • inform the UK Border Agency if participants are no longer participating in the scheme

95 Points required

25 - Attributes – Assessment of business idea

25 - Attributes –UK qualifications

25 - Attributes – HEI’s endorsement

10 - Maintenance

10 - English Language

Additional Requirements

  • You must be in the UK and sponsored by HEI from which they have graduated
  • You must not have previously been granted Tier 1 PSW
  • You are expected to spend majority of your time developing their businesses, but you may work up to 20 hours per week to support yourself
  • You are able to bring dependants, provided they meet Tier 1 maintenance requirements

Length of Time on Visa

  • Visa is initially granted for 12 months
  • This may be extended for further 12 months if HEI is satisfied with the progress made
  • Time in this category will not count towards a qualifying period for settlement in the UK
  • At the end of the second year in this category, you must either switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) or leave the UK

For more information on this route, see the UK Border Agency information on Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) or email isa@uel.ac.uk

 

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Tier 1 (Investor)

Allow high net worth individuals to make substantial financial investment in the UK and to live in the UK.

  • Initially 3 year visa. Possibility of extension for a further 2 years
  • Possibility to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after 5 years (or after 2 or 3 years in some cases)
  • You can switch to Tier 1 Investors in the UK from most Tier 1 , Tier 2, Tier 4 or student visas.
  • Points Based System - 95 points required
    • 75 points - Minimum amount to invest £1,000,000
    • 10 points - English language (requirement waived and points issued automatically if you obtain 75 points)
    • 10 points - Maintenance (requirement waived and points issued automatically if you obtain 75 points)
  • More information available on UKBA website

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Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)

This scheme has been newly created but is not yet availble for applications. The scheme is designed to attract those who are internationally recognised as world leaders or potential world leaders in the fields of science and the arts and who wish to work in the UK. Applicants must be internationally recognised as world leaders in their fields by a UK Border Agency specified Competent Body (in the field in which you are recognised as a world leader).

  • Initially 3 year visa. Possibility of extension for a further 2 years
  • Possibility to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after 5 years (or after 2 or 3 years in some cases)
  • You can switch to Tier 1 Entreprenuers in the UK from most Tier 1 , Tier 2, Tier 4 or student visas.
  • Points Based System - 85 points required
    • 75 points - Endorsement by a 'Competent Body'
    • 10 points - English language (only for extension applications. Otherwise requirement waived)
  • More information available on UKBA website

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Tier 2 (General)

Tier 2 (General) is a scheme designed for people coming to/ or applying to remain in theUK with a skilled job offer. Tier 2 is a visa linked to a specific job with a specific employer. The employer must be on the UK Border Agency Sponsor Register for Employers and must be willing to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) if you meet one of the five routes to Tier 2. You cannot switch job or employer with a Tier 2 visa.

Summary of Tier 2 General:

  • Initially visa can be granted for up to 3 years
  • Possible to extend Tier 2 visa up to 6 years in total
  • You can switch into Tier 2 in the UK from PSW, Tier 4 and old style student visa amongst other visas. (Please see below for additional requirements if switching from Tier 4/student visa)
  • Requires a job offer - the visa is linked to the job, and is only valid for that specific job with that employer
  • Employer must be a licensed sponsor (on the UK Border Agency sponsor register for employers)
  • Employer must issue a COS based on one of the five routes to Tier 2
  • Job must be at graduate level (see Code of Practice)
  • Salary must be at £20,000 (to increase to £20,300 on 6 April 2013) or the industry equivalent (see Code of Practice)
  • If you discontinue your Tier 2 job, your visa will be curtailed to 60 days
  • Time in this category will not count towards the qualifying period for settlement in the UK unless salary is £35,000

There are currently five possible routes to apply for a Tier 2 General visa:

  • Shortage Occupations - As listed on UKBA list on website
  • Resident Labour Market Test - Employer has advertised in UK/EEA but no suitable UK/EEA worker can take job
  • Job offer with salary of £150,000 per year or more
  • Extension in same role, for the same employer (including switching from Post Study Work)
  • Switching from Tier 4 (see additional requirements)

Tier 2 requires you to obtain 70 points. This is made up from: 50 points for attributes, 10 points for English and 10 points for Maintenance

  • Attributes - 50 Points required
    • 30Points for one of five routes listed below
      • Shortage occupation list
      • Resident Labour Market Test
      • Job offer with salary £150,000 or more
      • Extension (continuing in the same role for the same employer, including switching from PSW)
      • Switching from Tier 4
    • 20 points for prospective salary of £20,000 per year or the industry equivalent  (see Code of Practice)
  • English Language Skills - 10 points
    • If you have a UEL degree, you can claim points for English Language as you have completed a degree in the UK in English.
  • Maintenance - 10 points
    • £900 minimum held for consecutive 90 day period or certified by A rated sponsor

Financial Evidence must meet the requirements in the Tier 2 Policy Guidance .

Additional requirements for those switching from Tier 4 (General)

If you have a job offer that meets the requirements outlined above (ie graduate level, salary of £20k or equivalent) then you are eligible for a COS if:

  • You have been awarded a bachelor‘s or master’s   degree; a PGCE or PGDE from a UK recognised body; or completed a minimum of 12 months of study in the UK towards a PhD from a UK recognised body; and
  • You had valid immigration permission that permitted study throughout the above course; and
  • You have current leave as Tier 4 (General) or Student; and
  • You are applying from inside the UK

Your employer will not be required to do the Resident Labour Market test (ie prove that there is no one from the EEA who can do the job)

More information on Tier 2 General can be found on UKBA website

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New Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme

As of 6th April 2013, If you are a PhD or other doctorate student at UEL, you may be able to apply for a Tier 4 extension to stay in the UK for up to 12 months after your doctorate has been awarded in order to look for and undertake work. However in order to apply you must not yet have been awarded, so you must apply before you complete your Phd or doctorate

  • You must not have not yet finished your doctorate,
  • You must apply within 60 days of the end date of your new CAS
  • You cannot apply after the end date of your CAS
  • You cannot apply from outside the UK
  • You must already be in the UK on a Tier 4 visa
  • UEL must agree to sponsor you for this extended period (the International Compliance team will make a decision on this)

You cannot apply more than 60 days before your new CAS expected end date. You may have to apply for a Tier 4 extension as a General Student and later on make a further Tier 4 application under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

However, you should contact the International Student Advice team as early as possible if you think you may wish to apply. You cannot apply under the doctorate extension scheme after your end date of study has passed, even if you are still awaiting a decision on your previous Tier 4 application. The timing of these applications will be very important.

UEL is in the process of formulating a procedure for sponsoring applicants, which will be updated here shortly.

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UK Ancestry

This visa is aimed at Commonwealth citizens, with UK ancestry, to come to the UK to work and look for work.

  • You must be a commonwealth citizen
  • You must be aged 17 or over
  • At least one of your grandparent's must have been born in the UK
  • You can only apply from your home country
  • Visa valid for up to 5 years
  • After 5 years on this type of visa, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

More information on UK Ancestry visas can be found on the UKBA website

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Turkish Business People / Workers

The European Union and Turkey have an agreement called the European Comunity Association Agreement (ECAA) which allows Turkish citizens to come to the UK to enter or stay in the UK to establish themselves in business. There are also concessions which allow Turkish workers to apply for restrictions on work to be removed after working legally in th UK for a period of years.

More information on Turkish Business People/ Workers can be found on the UKBA website

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Tier 5

Tier 5 is the temporary workers category. Please see the UKBA website for more information.

More Information on Working in the UK

For more detailed information on working in the UK see the following websites

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Comments & Suggestions:

Did you find these webpages useful? Is there anything that could be improved/ amended? If you have any comments or suggestions regarding our webpages and its contents, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email any comments/ suggestions to isa@uel.ac.uk

Page Updated 08/05/13

Working in the UK

 

Tier 4 Sponsor Licence

University of East London (UEL) holds a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence and is listed on the UKBA register as a Highly Trusted Sponsor

Useful links

  1. Accommodation
  2. Language Centre

 

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