Working While Studying in the UK 2026: Rules, Jobs & Tips...

The United Kingdom is one of the few major study destinations that grants international students a clear, generous right to work alongside their studies. If you hold a Student Route visa and are enrolled at a degree-level course at a licensed sponsor institution, you may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during official vacation periods. With the National Living Wage rising to £12.71 per hour from April 2026, even a modest 15-hour week puts roughly £760 in your pocket each month before tax. Factor in full-time vacation work — many students earn an extra £2,000–£3,000 during a single summer break — and employment becomes a meaningful financial pillar, not just pocket money.

But the rules are strict, the penalties for violations are severe, and navigating the British tax and insurance system for the first time can feel overwhelming. This guide covers everything you need to know for 2026: visa work conditions, the National Insurance number, tax thresholds, the best types of student jobs, where to find them, how to write a UK-style CV, and the mistakes that trip up international students every year. Whether you are arriving this September or already settled into your first term, bookmark this page and refer back whenever a new question arises.

For a broader overview of the UK study experience, see our Study in the UK hub. If you have not yet sorted your visa, start with our UK Student Visa Guide 2026.

Visa Work Conditions: Who Can Work and How Much

Your right to work in the UK depends on your visa type, the level of your course, and the status of your sponsoring institution. Understanding these distinctions is essential because UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) enforces work limits rigorously, and a single breach can result in visa curtailment, removal from the country, and a re-entry ban of up to ten years.

Student Route Visa — Degree Level (20 Hours per Week)

This is the category that applies to the vast majority of international students. If your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was issued by a university or college with Student Sponsor licence and track record status, and your course is at RQF Level 6 or above (Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent), your visa allows:

Up to 20 hours per week during term time — this limit applies across all jobs combined, measured per calendar week (Monday to Sunday). You cannot average hours over multiple weeks; every individual week must stay at or below 20 hours.
Unlimited hours during official vacation periods as defined by your institution's academic calendar. This typically includes the Christmas break (3–4 weeks), Easter break (3–4 weeks), and summer vacation (roughly 10–14 weeks depending on your course).
Full-time work placements if they are an assessed, integral part of your course (for example, a sandwich year or clinical placement). These do not count toward the 20-hour limit.

The 20-hour limit is checked per week, not averaged. If you work 25 hours in week one and 15 hours in week two, week one is a violation even though the average is 20. UKVI has become increasingly sophisticated at detecting breaches through HMRC payroll data, employer reporting, and compliance visits to institutions.

Student Route Visa — Below Degree Level (10 Hours per Week)

If your course is below degree level — such as a foundation programme, pre-sessional English course at an institution without track record, or further education college course — your visa typically restricts you to 10 hours per week during term time. The same unlimited-vacation rule applies, but the term-time ceiling is halved. Check the specific conditions printed on your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) or shown in your digital immigration status, as the exact limit depends on your sponsor and course level.

Who Cannot Work at All

Some visa categories carry a complete ban on employment:

Short-term Study visa holders (courses up to 6 or 11 months) — no work of any kind, including voluntary work.
Standard Visitor visa holders studying a short course — no work permitted.
Students whose CAS states "no work" or "work limited" — follow the exact restriction on your immigration permission.

Prohibited Types of Work

Even with valid work permission, certain activities are completely banned on a Student Route visa:

Self-employment — You cannot register as a sole trader, run your own business, freelance for clients, or work as an independent contractor. This includes selling on Etsy, running a dropshipping store, offering freelance design or programming services, and similar activities.
Filling a permanent full-time vacancy — Your role must be part-time (during term) and should not be a position that would ordinarily require a Skilled Worker visa.
Professional sportsperson or entertainer — You cannot work as a paid athlete, coach, or professional entertainer (this includes paid social media influencing if it constitutes your primary activity).

Volunteering

Genuine unpaid volunteering for a registered charity is generally permitted, as long as it does not replace a paid role and you receive no payment beyond reasonable expenses (travel, meals). However, if the arrangement has the characteristics of employment — fixed hours, contractual obligations, tasks that a paid worker would normally do — UKVI may classify it as work, which would count toward your 20-hour limit. When in doubt, consult your university's international student advice team before committing.

Getting Your National Insurance Number

A National Insurance (NI) number is a unique personal identifier used by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to track your tax and National Insurance contributions. It is formatted as two letters, six digits, and a final letter (for example, AB 12 34 56 C). You need one before — or very soon after — you start working in the UK.

How to Apply

Since 2024, the process has been fully digitised. You apply online at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. The application involves:

Proving your identity — You will need your BRP, passport, or digital immigration status. The online system can verify your identity automatically in many cases.
Providing personal details — Name, address, date of birth, and reason for applying (employment).
Possible in-person appointment — If the system cannot verify your identity online, you will be invited to a Jobcentre Plus appointment to present your documents in person.

Processing typically takes up to four weeks after identity verification. There is no fee. You can start working before you receive your NI number — simply tell your employer that you have applied, and they can set up your payroll using a temporary reference. Once your NI number arrives, give it to your employer so they can update their records.

Why It Matters

Without an NI number, your employer can still pay you, but HMRC may apply an emergency tax code, meaning you overpay tax until your records are linked. Getting your NI number sorted early prevents this hassle and ensures your tax and National Insurance contributions are recorded correctly from day one.

Tax and National Insurance for International Students

The UK tax system is more straightforward than many students expect. Understanding three key numbers will help you keep more of what you earn.

Personal Allowance — £12,570 Tax-Free

Every individual in the UK — including international students — receives a Personal Allowance of £12,570 per tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027). This means you pay zero income tax on the first £12,570 you earn. The allowance has been frozen at this level since 2021 and is expected to remain frozen until at least April 2028.

For context, if you work 15 hours per week at £12.71 per hour for 40 weeks (a typical academic year including some vacation work), you earn approximately £7,626 — well below the Personal Allowance. You would owe no income tax at all. Even students who work full-time through summer often stay below the threshold.

If your earnings exceed £12,570, the basic rate of 20% applies to income between £12,571 and £50,270. Given typical student earnings, the basic rate is the only band that most working students will ever encounter.

National Insurance Contributions

In addition to income tax, employees pay National Insurance contributions (NICs). For the 2026/27 tax year, the relevant thresholds are:

Primary Threshold: approximately £12,570 per year (£242 per week). You pay zero NICs on earnings below this level.
Class 1 rate: 8% on earnings between the Primary Threshold and the Upper Earnings Limit (£50,270).

In practice, many part-time students earn below both the income tax and NIC thresholds, meaning no deductions at all from their pay.

Emergency Tax and Tax Refunds

If you start work without an NI number or without giving your employer a P46 (starter checklist), you may be placed on an emergency tax code. This means HMRC assumes you have no Personal Allowance and taxes you at 20% from the first pound. Do not panic — once your employer receives your correct tax code (usually within a few weeks), any overpayment is automatically refunded through your payroll. If overpayments persist at the end of the tax year, you can claim a refund directly from HMRC.

Tax Tips for Students

Use your Personal Allowance wisely. If you have multiple part-time jobs, your Personal Allowance is applied to your primary (highest-earning) employment. Your second job is taxed at 20% unless you split the allowance — speak to HMRC or use the online tax code checker.
Check your tax code. Your payslip shows a tax code (e.g., 1257L). If it says something different — especially a code starting with BR (basic rate) or ending with W1/M1 (emergency) — contact HMRC to correct it.
Claim a refund when you leave. If you leave the UK partway through a tax year and have overpaid tax, submit form P85 to HMRC for a departure refund.
Keep payslips and P60s. Your employer must give you a P60 at the end of each tax year showing total earnings and tax paid. Keep these for your records.

National Minimum Wage and Living Wage 2026

The UK government sets legally binding minimum hourly rates that vary by age. From 1 April 2026, the rates are:

Age Group	Hourly Rate (from April 2026)	Typical Monthly (15 hrs/week)
21 and over (National Living Wage)	£12.71	~£762
18 to 20	£10.85	~£651
Under 18	£8.00	~£480
Apprentice rate	£8.00	~£480

Most international students at UK universities are 21 or older and therefore qualify for the full National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour. Many employers — particularly universities, large retailers, and hospitality chains — pay above the minimum. Typical student job rates in 2026 range from £12.71 to £15 per hour, with specialised roles (tutoring, IT support, lab work) reaching £15–£20 per hour.

Remember: these are minimum legal rates. Any employer paying less is breaking the law, and you can report underpayment anonymously to HMRC.

Types of Student Jobs in the UK

The UK student job market is diverse and accessible. Most positions require no prior UK experience, and many do not even require fluent English beyond everyday conversational ability. Here is a practical breakdown of the most common and most rewarding roles.

On-Campus Jobs

University-based jobs are often the most convenient and student-friendly option. Supervisors understand exam pressures, shifts are flexible, and your commute is nonexistent.

Student ambassador — £12.71–£14/hr. Guide campus tours for prospective students, staff open days, and represent your university at recruitment events. Universities hire heavily during autumn open-day season (October–November) and spring applicant days (March–April).
Library or IT helpdesk assistant — £12.71–£14/hr. Staff the university library desk, help students with catalogue searches, or provide first-line IT support. Quiet periods allow you to study on the job.
Research assistant — £13–£17/hr. Support academic staff with data collection, literature reviews, transcription, or lab experiments. Excellent for students considering postgraduate study. Positions are often advertised through individual departments.
Students' Union staff — £12.71–£15/hr. Work in the SU bar, shop, or events team. Student Unions are among the largest on-campus employers, with flexible shifts that work around your timetable.
Peer tutor or mentor — £13–£18/hr. Tutor fellow students in your strongest subjects. Especially in demand for maths, statistics, programming, academic writing, and English language support. Some universities run formal paid peer-mentoring schemes; others encourage private arrangements.

Off-Campus Jobs

The UK's service-dominated economy means student jobs in retail, hospitality, and customer service are abundant, particularly in university cities.

Retail assistant — £12.71–£14/hr. High-street shops (Primark, H&M, Boots, WHSmith) and supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl) hire heavily for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. Christmas seasonal work (October–January) is a major opportunity.
Barista or cafe worker — £12.71–£14/hr plus tips. Chains like Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero, and Pret A Manger are known for hiring international students. Tips can add £1–£3 per hour on top of base pay. The Coffee #1 and independent coffee shops in university towns are also worth approaching.
Restaurant or pub staff — £12.71–£15/hr plus tips. Waiting tables, kitchen assistance, or bar work. In cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, restaurant tips can be substantial — some waiters earn £15–£20 per hour including tips.
Delivery rider — £12–£16/hr including tips. Platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat hire riders on a flexible basis. However, be careful: some platforms classify riders as independent contractors (self-employed), which is not permitted on a Student Route visa. Only accept delivery work where you are employed by the platform or a third-party employer, not working as self-employed.
Warehouse and logistics — £13–£16/hr. Amazon, DPD, and other logistics companies offer evening and weekend shifts in fulfilment centres near major cities. During peak periods (Black Friday, Christmas), temporary contracts are widely available.
Customer service or call centre — £12.71–£15/hr. Many companies run UK-based customer support teams and value multilingual agents. If you speak a second language (Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, French), you may qualify for higher-paying bilingual roles at £14–£18 per hour.
Tutoring — £15–£40/hr. Private tutoring — in person or online — is one of the highest-paying student jobs available. A-level and GCSE subjects (maths, science, English) are in constant demand. Platforms like Tutorful, MyTutor, and Superprof connect tutors with families. University-level tutoring for statistics, programming, or academic writing commands the highest rates.

Career-Relevant Jobs and Internships

While earning money is important, building career-relevant experience during your studies dramatically improves your post-graduation prospects. Consider:

Part-time roles in your field — Admin or assistant positions in companies related to your degree (marketing assistant, junior developer, finance intern). Many employers offer term-time part-time contracts specifically designed for students.
University-brokered internships — Your university careers service may have partnerships with local and national employers offering structured part-time internships during term, or full-time summer placements.
Sandwich year / placement year — Some UK degrees include an optional paid placement year (typically between second and third year). These are full-time, paid positions (£18,000–£25,000 per year is typical) and are built into your visa conditions as an assessed part of the course.

For more on post-study work options including the Graduate Route visa, see our Work and Career in the UK guide.

Where to Find Student Jobs

The UK job market is accessible and well-organised. A multi-channel approach works best — combining online platforms, university resources, and in-person networking.

University Career Services

Your university careers service is your single most valuable resource. Every UK university has one, and they are free. Services typically include:

A dedicated job board listing part-time, vacation, and graduate positions specifically curated for students at your institution.
CV and cover letter reviews — advisors who will help you adapt your CV to UK format and expectations.
Mock interviews and assessment centre preparation.
Career fairs (autumn and spring) where employers come to campus specifically to recruit students.
One-to-one appointments with careers consultants who specialise in international student employment rights.

Log in to your university's careers portal within the first week of term. Many competitive positions — especially campus roles and structured internships — are posted exclusively there.

Major Job Platforms

Indeed (indeed.co.uk) — The UK's largest job aggregator with 77% market share. Search for "part-time student" or "weekend" in your city. Set up daily email alerts to catch new postings quickly.
Reed (reed.co.uk) — A UK-focused platform strong in part-time and temporary roles. Excellent filters for location, contract type, and salary range. Reed is particularly good for customer service and admin roles.
Totaljobs (totaljobs.com) — Another major UK job board with strong part-time and entry-level listings. Useful salary comparison tools.
LinkedIn — Increasingly important for student roles, especially in professional services, tech, and finance. Optimise your profile with a clear headline ("BSc Computer Science student seeking part-time software development"), relevant skills, and your university listed prominently.

Student-Specific Platforms

StudentJob (studentjob.co.uk) — Specialist platform for part-time student work, internships, and holiday jobs across the UK.
Prospects (prospects.ac.uk) — Graduate-focused but also lists part-time and vacation work.
Milkround (milkround.com) — Internships, placements, and graduate roles. Excellent for finding structured summer placements.
Targetjobs (targetjobs.co.uk) — Similar to Milkround, with strong coverage of City of London finance and consulting roles.
Tutorful, MyTutor, Superprof — If you want to tutor, register on these platforms. They handle client matching, scheduling, and payment.

Direct Applications and Networking

Many student jobs — especially in cafes, restaurants, and local shops — are never posted online. Walk in with a printed CV during a quiet period (mid-morning on a weekday) and ask to speak with the manager. In university towns, this direct approach has a surprisingly high success rate. High streets near campus are your hunting ground.

Networking also matters. Join student societies related to your career interests. Attend employer events hosted by your Students' Union. Talk to second- and third-year students who already have jobs — they often know about openings before they are advertised.

Writing a UK-Style CV

UK employer expectations differ from those in many other countries. A few key points:

Length: One to two pages maximum. For student jobs, one page is ideal.
No photo, date of birth, or marital status. Unlike CVs in Germany, France, or many Asian countries, UK CVs do not include a photograph or personal details beyond name, contact information, and location (city only).
Personal statement: A brief 2–3 sentence summary at the top explaining who you are, what you study, and what kind of work you are looking for.
Education: University name, degree title, expected graduation date, and any relevant modules or grades (e.g., "First-class average in Year 1").
Work experience: Reverse chronological order. Use bullet points starting with strong action verbs ("Managed", "Coordinated", "Analysed", "Served"). Quantify achievements where possible ("Served 150+ customers daily", "Increased social media engagement by 40%").
Skills: Languages, software, driving licence, first-aid certificate — anything relevant to the role.
References: "Available on request" is standard. You do not need to list referees on the CV.

Your university careers service will review your CV for free. Take advantage of this — a polished, well-structured CV dramatically increases your callback rate.

Balancing Work and Studies

Working while studying is rewarding, but over-committing to employment is one of the most common reasons international students underperform academically. A failed module means resits, delays, and potentially visa complications (your sponsor must report if you are not attending or progressing). Here are proven strategies for maintaining balance.

Set a Realistic Hour Budget

A full-time UK degree expects approximately 35–40 hours per week of combined lectures, seminars, and independent study. Add commuting, cooking, and daily essentials, and you quickly see that 12–16 hours of paid work per week is sustainable for most students. The 20-hour legal limit is a ceiling, not a target. Many successful working students find that 10–15 hours is the sweet spot.

Front-Load Earnings in Vacation Periods

The UK academic year includes roughly 16–20 weeks of vacation (Christmas, Easter, summer). Use these periods to work full-time and build a financial buffer. Students who work 35–40 hours per week during summer and Christmas breaks often earn 50–60% of their annual income in these concentrated periods, allowing them to reduce work during demanding exam terms.

Communicate with Your Employer

Good employers understand that you are a student first. At the start of each term, share your timetable and exam dates with your manager. Request reduced hours or a temporary pause during assessment periods — most UK employers in retail and hospitality are accustomed to this and will accommodate you, provided you give adequate notice (at least two to three weeks).

Protect Your Wellbeing

Juggling work, study, and life in a new country is demanding. Protect your sleep (seven to eight hours minimum), maintain social connections outside work, and use your university's free counselling and wellbeing services if stress becomes overwhelming. The NHS is also available through your Immigration Health Surcharge — do not hesitate to see a GP if you are struggling.

Work Restrictions and Compliance

UK immigration enforcement has become significantly more proactive in recent years. HMRC payroll data is cross-referenced with visa records, and UKVI conducts regular compliance audits of sponsor institutions. Here is what you need to know to stay safe.

How the 20-Hour Limit is Monitored

Employers report your earnings to HMRC through the Real Time Information (RTI) system with every payroll run. UKVI can — and does — access this data to verify that students are not exceeding their permitted hours. Your university is also required to monitor attendance and report to UKVI if you appear to be working excessive hours or missing classes.

Consequences of Breaching Work Conditions

If UKVI determines that you have worked more than your permitted hours, the consequences can be life-altering:

Visa curtailment or cancellation — Your Student Route visa may be shortened or revoked entirely.
Removal from the UK — You may be required to leave the country, potentially before completing your degree.
Re-entry ban — A ban of 1 to 10 years on returning to the UK may be imposed.
Future application refusals — Any breach creates adverse immigration history that will count against you in future UK visa applications (including the Graduate Route, Skilled Worker visa, or visitor visa).

Practical Compliance Tips

Track your hours meticulously. Keep a weekly log of hours worked across all jobs. Use a spreadsheet or time-tracking app.
Know your term and vacation dates. Only your institution's official academic calendar determines when term ends and vacation begins — not what your classmates say or when lectures seem to wind down. Get the official dates from your registry or student portal at the start of each year.
Never work for two employers simultaneously if the combined hours exceed 20. If you have a 15-hour campus job and pick up a 10-hour weekend retail shift, you are in breach even if each employer is individually compliant.
Refuse cash-in-hand offers. Unrecorded work is illegal and leaves you with no employment rights. If you are injured, underpaid, or mistreated, you have no recourse. Always insist on a proper contract, payslips, and PAYE tax deductions.
Self-employment is never permitted. This includes gig economy work where you are classified as self-employed (check your contract carefully). Platforms that treat you as an independent contractor are off-limits.

Opening a UK Bank Account

You will need a UK bank account to receive your wages. Most employers pay by BACS bank transfer and cannot pay into a foreign account. The main options for international students are:

Traditional high-street banks — Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, and Santander all offer student bank accounts. You typically need your passport, BRP, proof of student status (enrollment letter), and proof of UK address. Some banks require an appointment; others allow online applications.
Digital banks — Monzo, Starling, and Revolut allow you to open an account within minutes using just your passport and a selfie. These are popular among international students because they have no minimum balance, no monthly fees, and excellent mobile apps. They are fully regulated UK banks and perfectly suitable for receiving wages.

Open your bank account as early as possible — ideally during freshers' week — so it is ready when you start working. For more on managing your finances, see our UK Cost of Living Guide.

After Graduation: The Graduate Route

One of the UK's major attractions is the Graduate Route visa, which allows you to stay and work (or look for work) for two years after completing a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or three years after a PhD. During this period, there are no restrictions on hours or type of work — you can be employed, self-employed, or freelance.

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, meaning you do not need a job offer to apply. The fee is £822 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. For detailed eligibility criteria and application steps, see our Work and Career in the UK guide.

Building UK work experience during your studies — even in a part-time retail or hospitality role — strengthens your CV, expands your professional network, and gives you UK references that future employers value highly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Every academic year, international students run into avoidable problems. Here are the most frequent errors and how to steer clear of them.

Working More Than 20 Hours Without Realising

The most common violation. Students with two part-time jobs fail to add up their total hours. Others miscalculate term dates and work full-time hours during what they think is vacation but is actually still term. Solution: maintain a running weekly log and verify vacation dates with your university registry.

Accepting Self-Employed or Cash-in-Hand Work

Some students are tempted by cash offers or gig-economy work that classifies them as self-employed. Both are visa violations. Always check that your employment contract lists you as an employee with PAYE tax deductions.

Not Applying for a National Insurance Number

Starting work without an NI number means emergency tax deductions and administrative headaches. Apply online at gov.uk the moment you have your BRP and a UK address — even before you have found a job.

Ignoring Your Tax Code

If your payslip shows a tax code other than 1257L, you may be overpaying tax. Contact HMRC immediately to correct it. Students who ignore incorrect tax codes for months end up overpaying hundreds of pounds.

Overworking in Your First Term

Your first term involves massive adjustment: new academic system, new country, new social circles, potentially a new language environment. Diving into a 20-hour work week immediately is a recipe for burnout and poor grades. Start small — 8 to 10 hours — and increase gradually once you know your capacity.

Not Using University Career Services

Surveys consistently show that students who engage with their careers service earn more, find jobs faster, and report higher satisfaction with their employment. These services are included in your tuition fees. Not using them is leaving money and opportunities on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work from the first day of my course?

Yes, provided your Student Route visa is valid, your BRP (or digital immigration status) confirms your work entitlement, and your course has officially started. In practice, most students begin working a few weeks into their first term after sorting out their NI number and bank account. You are legally allowed to work during the pre-sessional period if it is part of your sponsored course.

Do I need a separate work permit?

No. Your Student Route visa includes the right to work within the permitted hours. You do not need to apply for any additional work authorisation. Your employer will verify your right to work by checking your BRP or digital immigration status through the Home Office online checking service.

What counts as "term time" and "vacation"?

Only the dates published in your university's official academic calendar define term and vacation periods. These dates vary by institution and sometimes by faculty or course. Vacation means periods when no teaching, supervised study, or examinations are scheduled. The exam revision period before exams is typically considered term time, not vacation. Always check with your university's registry office if you are unsure.

Can I do an unpaid internship?

It depends. If the internship is a formal, assessed part of your course (listed on your CAS and in your course requirements), it is permitted regardless of hours. If it is a voluntary arrangement outside your course, it counts as work and must stay within your 20-hour term-time limit. Truly voluntary unpaid work experience (essentially job shadowing, with no contractual obligations) in a grey area — consult your university's immigration advice team before accepting.

Can I work for a family member's business?

Yes, as long as you are employed (not self-employed), paid through PAYE, and your hours stay within the permitted limit. You must have a proper employment contract and receive payslips. The same rules apply whether your employer is a relative or a stranger.

What happens if I accidentally work 22 hours one week?

Technically, any week where you exceed the limit is a breach, even by one hour. In practice, UKVI focuses on patterns of sustained over-working rather than a single isolated incident. However, there is no official "grace period" or tolerance threshold. The safest approach is to treat 20 hours as a hard maximum and build in a buffer — plan for 18 hours maximum, so minor scheduling overlaps do not push you over.

Can I work between courses (e.g., between a pre-sessional and my main degree)?

If your CAS covers both the pre-sessional and the main course as a single sponsored period, you can work during the gap as vacation. If they are covered by separate CAS documents, you need to check the specific conditions of your visa. When in doubt, seek advice from your university's international student office before the gap period begins.

Is freelancing or remote work for an overseas employer allowed?

No. Self-employment of any kind is prohibited on a Student Route visa. This includes freelancing for UK or overseas clients, running an online business, selling products or services through platforms, consulting, and any arrangement where you issue invoices rather than receiving a salary through PAYE. This rule applies even if the work is for a company in your home country.

How much can I realistically earn per year?

A student working 15 hours per week during a 30-week term at £12.71/hour earns approximately £5,720. Adding 12 weeks of full-time vacation work (37.5 hours/week) at the same rate adds roughly £5,720, for a total of around £11,440 per year — below the Personal Allowance, meaning zero income tax. Students who command higher hourly rates through tutoring, specialist campus roles, or career-relevant part-time positions can earn £13,000–£16,000 or more. For context on how far this goes, see our Living in the UK guide and UK Costs Guide.

Do I need to tell my university that I am working?

Your university does not require formal notification that you have taken a job, but it is good practice to inform your personal tutor or academic advisor, especially if your work schedule might affect attendance. Remember that your university is legally obligated to report attendance issues to UKVI, so maintaining strong attendance is essential. If work is affecting your studies, your university's support services can help you find a better balance.

Working While Studying in the UK 2026: Rules, Jobs & Tips