Working part-time while studying in the UK is a great way to earn extra money, gain experience, and improve your communication skills as long as you follow the rules of your student visa.
Work Rights & Visa Limits
- You must hold a UK Student Visa (formerly Tier 4) and be enrolled in a full-time degree course (undergraduate or postgraduate).
Maximum Hours
- Up to 20 hours per week during term time.
- Full-time hours allowed during official vacations (summer/winter breaks).
If you’re studying a course below degree level (e.g., foundation), the limit is 10 hours/week during term time.
What’s Not Allowed
You cannot do:
- Self-employment or freelance/contract work (such as gig deliveries).
- Running your own business
- Permanent full-time roles
- Some professional positions (e.g., doctor/dentist training).
This is important because misclassifying work (e.g., UberEats delivery) can break your visa terms.
Popular Part-Time Jobs for Students
1. Retail Assistant
Work in shops, supermarkets, convenience stores or bookshops.
- Flexible shifts
- Often seasonal demand during holidays
- Usually starts at around minimum wage (~£10–£12+/hr depending on age and experience)
2. Barista / Café Staff
Coffee shops and cafés hire students often — perfect if you enjoy customer interaction.
- Barista, café server, till operator
- Tips sometimes add extra income
3. Hospitality Roles
Work in pubs, restaurants, hotels as:
- Waiter/Waitress
- Kitchen assistant
- Front-of-house staff
These roles often fit around evening/weekend hours.
4. On-Campus Jobs
Many universities hire students for jobs like:
- Library assistant
- Student ambassador
- Admin support
- IT support or café staff
These roles are convenient and tied to campus life.
5. Teaching or Research Assistant
Often for postgraduate students help with marking, tutorials or research projects. Pay can be higher than average.
6. Tutoring
If you excel in a subject, you can tutor other students (usually outside official visa restricted work-as-an-employer rules). This can pay well, especially for specialist subjects.
Typical Pay Rates
Pay varies by job and employer, but as of 2025–26:
| Job Type | Typical Pay (per hour) |
|---|---|
| Retail Assistant | ~£10 – £13+ |
| Barista / Hospitality | ~£9 – £12+ |
| Library / On-campus assistant | ~£10 – £15 |
| Research / Teaching Assistant | ~£12 – £20+ |
| Tutoring (specialised) | ~£14 – £50+ |
Pay depends on experience, city (London tends to pay more), age and role.
Best Places to Look for Jobs
University Careers Services – many universities list jobs on internal portals.
Retail and hospitality job boards – e.g., Boots, Tesco, Starbucks, Pret.
Job sites – Indeed, Reed, StudentJob.co.uk
Campus bulletin boards and student unions
Networking and CV drops directly to local shops or cafés.
How to Balance Work & Study
Plan Around Your Timetable
Keep academics first. Your visa depends on being a full-time student, and poor attendance can have serious consequences.
Apply Early
Many students compete for jobs, especially retail and hospitality, so apply early to secure flexible hours.
Improve Your CV
UK employers often expect a simple CV with:
- Contact info
- Availability (days/times you can work)
- Experience (even voluntary or school roles)
- Good references
What About Internships?
Part-time paid internships can be done, as long as:
- They fit within your 20 hours/week limit during term time
- Are not self-employment
- Are genuine employee contracts with payroll
Work placements that are part of your course are usually allowed and can be very valuable experience.
Final Things to Remember
You cannot do self-employment or freelance gigs like Deliveroo or UberEats because these count as self-employment and are prohibited.
Always check your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) — it states whether you can work and how many hours.
Abiding by the rules protects your visa status, preventing issues when applying for post-study visas later.
FAQs
Q1: How many hours can I work per week on a UK student visa?
Up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
Q2: Can I work freelancing or delivery jobs like Deliveroo?
No. Such jobs are usually considered self-employment, which is not allowed on a student visa.
Q3: Do part-time jobs help with visa or work experience?
They help with living costs and local experience, but they don’t replace formal work visas after graduation.
Q4: What documents do I need to start working?
You will generally need:
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
National Insurance Number (NI)
Bank account
Q5: Does part-time work affect my studies?
It can, balancing work and study is key. Too many hours can impact academic performance and visa compliance.
