There are many opportunities for you to work in the UK both during and after your studies. These include part-time or vacation work, as well as course-related work placements.

Finding work

If you are allowed to work, you can easily find out about any part-time jobs that are available by consulting notice boards around your institution, looking in local newspapers and job centres, and visiting your college or university careers office. Many institutions have their own 'job shop' which displays part-time and holiday vacancies and some may issue job vacancy bulletins. The careers service can also provide you with extensive information and advice about employment, training and further study, and help you with job-hunting and making applications.

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

Before taking a job, think carefully about how much time you will have available. Success on your course is your priority. Your studies may be intensive and demanding and you should be realistic about the amount of time this will leave for part-time work. Many students find that working part time helps improve their English, but you must be careful not to let work interfere with your studies.

If you’re a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country or a Swiss National, you’re free to work in the UK. If you are a student from outside the European Economic Area, you’ll need to follow the procedures explained below.

Working policy for international students

Before you look for a job in the UK, you’ll need to check that your passport stamp or visa sticker allows you to work. There is a useful guidance note called Working in the UK during your studies that has information on how to recognise this, and international student advisers at your institution are also happy to help you too. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) also provides information for you on its website.

As in most countries, there are some conditions for working which you’ll need to check before you look for a job. If you’ve got the passport stamp/visa sticker that lets you work, you can do so as long as:

You are not self-employed, set up or run your own business, provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer, or pursue a career by taking a full-time position while studying
Money that you hope to make while doing part-time or vacation work cannot form part of your entry clearance/visa application. You’ll need to show that you can meet the cost of studying and living in the UK without relying on employment apart from money gained from a guaranteed sandwich year placement, or earned through employment at the institution at which you will be studying. Your institution will need to provide evidence of your guaranteed earnings if you want to include these in your visa/entry clearance application
During term time you work for a maximum of 20 hours a week. It is very important that this is not exceeded.
The work you are undertaking is a work placement (including 'sandwich' years in employment) that forms a compulsory part of your course
In some situations, you may also be able to undertake an internship with a company lasting for up to three months.

If you work part time during your studies, you’ll need to meet the conditions explained above.

Working in the UK after graduation

You may be able to work in the UK after your course ends under various government schemes designed to help international students. Work permits may be issued where a job requires a skill that is in short supply in the UK.

Students graduating from a UK university with a 2:2 or higher in the physical sciences, maths and engineering may be able to apply to stay in the UK and work for 12 months.

Under the Fresh Talent Scotland Initiative, all students graduating from an HND, degree or postgraduate course from a Scottish institution can apply to stay in Scotland for a further two years after graduation to work. You can find more information at www.scotlandistheplace.com

There are also schemes that allow some students to stay on in the UK for professional training or work experience and some students may also be able to apply under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, designed to allow people with exceptional skills and experience to make a career in the UK. Each of these schemes has special conditions that you’ll need to meet. Policies on employment for people from overseas change frequently.

You can find more information about the different employment schemes and check for news on the Home Office's website www.workingintheuk.gov.uk