<p>Most Student Route visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. This provides income, work experience, and integration into UK life—but the rules are specific and violations can affect your visa. Here is what you need to know.</p> <h2 id="tldr">TL;DR</h2> <ul> <li>Most Student Route visa holders can work: 20 hours/week during term time, full-time during university holidays</li> <li>The 20-hour limit is a hard maximum—working even 1 hour over is a visa violation</li> <li>National Minimum Wage (April 2026): GBP 12.21/hour for workers aged 21+, GBP 10.00/hour for 18–20</li> <li>Typical student jobs: hospitality, retail, university campus roles, tutoring, delivery driving</li> <li>You cannot be self-employed, freelance, or start a business on a Student Route visa</li> <li>Work should supplement your finances, not fund your entire degree—visa financial requirements assume you can support yourself without working</li> </ul> <h2 id="work-rights-on-a-student-route-visa">Work Rights on a Student Route Visa</h2> <h3 id="what-your-visa-allows">What Your Visa Allows</h3> <p>For most students on degree-level courses at higher education providers:</p> <table><thead><tr><th>Period</th><th>Maximum Work Hours</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Term time</td><td>20 hours per week</td></tr><tr><td>University holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer)</td><td>Full-time (no formal limit, but practically 35–40 hours)</td></tr><tr><td>Course completion to visa expiry</td><td>Full-time (during the “wrap-up” period after your course ends)</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3 id="what-your-visa-prohibits">What Your Visa Prohibits</h3> <p>You cannot:</p> <ul> <li>Work more than 20 hours/week during term time (even for multiple jobs combined—the limit applies to total hours across all employment)</li> <li>Be self-employed or freelance</li> <li>Start a business or be a company director</li> <li>Work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer</li> <li>Work in a permanent full-time position</li> </ul> <p>The self-employment restriction catches many students off guard. If you drive for Uber, deliver for Deliveroo (as a self-employed contractor, not an employee), sell items on Etsy as a business, or do freelance graphic design—these are all self-employment and are not permitted on a Student Route visa.</p> <h3 id="defining-term-time">Defining “Term Time”</h3> <p>Your university determines what counts as “term time” for your specific course. This is typically:</p> <ul> <li>Undergraduate: the weeks when teaching is scheduled (approximately 30 weeks/year)</li> <li>Postgraduate taught: the taught module period plus the dissertation period (the summer dissertation period may or may not be classified as term time—check with your university)</li> <li>Postgraduate research: typically year-round (no defined holiday periods unless your university specifies otherwise)</li> </ul> <p>If there is ambiguity about whether a period is term time or holiday, ask your university’s international student advice service for written confirmation. Your employer may also ask for a letter confirming your term dates.</p> <h2 id="national-minimum-wage-and-student-earnings">National Minimum Wage and Student Earnings</h2> <h3 id="minimum-wage-rates-april-2026">Minimum Wage Rates (April 2026)</h3> <table><thead><tr><th>Age</th><th>National Living/Minimum Wage</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>21 and over</td><td>GBP 12.21/hour</td></tr><tr><td>18–20</td><td>GBP 10.00/hour</td></tr><tr><td>Under 18</td><td>GBP 7.55/hour</td></tr><tr><td>Apprentice</td><td>GBP 7.55/hour</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3 id="typical-student-job-earnings">Typical Student Job Earnings</h3> <table><thead><tr><th>Job Type</th><th>Typical Hourly Pay</th><th>Weekly Earnings (15 Hours)</th><th>Annual Earnings (30 Weeks)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Retail assistant</td><td>GBP 12.21/hour</td><td>GBP 183</td><td>GBP 5,490</td></tr><tr><td>Barista/waiting staff</td><td>GBP 12.21/hour (+ tips)</td><td>GBP 183–210</td><td>GBP 5,490–6,300</td></tr><tr><td>University ambassador/guide</td><td>GBP 12.50–14.00/hour</td><td>GBP 188–210</td><td>GBP 5,640–6,300</td></tr><tr><td>Tutoring (private)</td><td>GBP 15–30/hour</td><td>GBP 225–450</td><td>GBP 6,750–13,500</td></tr><tr><td>Student brand ambassador</td><td>GBP 12–15/hour</td><td>GBP 180–225</td><td>GBP 5,400–6,750</td></tr><tr><td>University research assistant</td><td>GBP 14–18/hour</td><td>GBP 210–270</td><td>GBP 6,300–8,100</td></tr></tbody></table> <p><strong>Realistic annual earnings</strong>: A student working 15 hours/week during 30 weeks of term time at GBP 12.21/hour earns approximately <strong>GBP 5,500</strong> before tax. Additional earnings during holiday periods (full-time work for 12–16 weeks) could add GBP 5,000–7,000. Total realistic annual earnings: <strong>GBP 8,000–12,000</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Tax</strong>: Most students earn below the personal allowance (GBP 12,570 for 2026–27), so income tax is minimal or zero. National Insurance is payable on earnings above GBP 242/week (2025–26 threshold). Your employer handles tax and NI through PAYE.</p> <h2 id="types-of-student-jobs">Types of Student Jobs</h2> <h3 id="on-campus-jobs">On-Campus Jobs</h3> <p>These are the most convenient for students: no commute, flexible hours around your timetable, and understanding employers who prioritise your studies.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Student ambassador/guide</strong>: Representing the university at open days, campus tours, and outreach events</li> <li><strong>Library assistant</strong>: Shelving, desk work, IT support</li> <li><strong>Students’ Union</strong>: Bar, shop, events, administrative roles</li> <li><strong>Residence life assistant/warden</strong>: Supporting students in halls (often includes free or reduced accommodation)</li> <li><strong>Research/teaching assistant</strong>: Supporting academic staff (more common at postgraduate level)</li> </ul> <p>How to find: University careers service, student job board, individual departments, Students’ Union website.</p> <h3 id="off-campus-jobs">Off-Campus Jobs</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Hospitality</strong>: Cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels. The largest employer of students. Flexible shifts, social environment, tips. Downside: late hours, physically demanding.</li> <li><strong>Retail</strong>: Shops, supermarkets, department stores. Regular shifts, staff discount, transferable to other locations. Downside: weekend work expected, standing for long periods.</li> <li><strong>Tutoring</strong>: Academic tutoring for school students or other university students. High hourly rate, flexible, builds subject knowledge. Downside: irregular hours, self-employed restrictions (be an employee of a tutoring company, not self-employed).</li> <li><strong>Delivery driving</strong>: Amazon Flex, Deliveroo (if employed, not self-employed), local takeaway delivery. Flexible, independent. Downside: self-employment restrictions, weather exposure, bike/car costs.</li> </ul> <h2 id="finding-work-as-an-international-student">Finding Work as an International Student</h2> <ol> <li><strong>University careers service</strong>: The first stop. They have a student job board, know which employers are student-friendly, and can check your CV.</li> <li><strong>University job board</strong>: Many universities maintain online job boards specifically for student roles.</li> <li><strong>Recruitment agencies</strong>: Hospitality and events agencies (e.g., Arc Hospitality, Off to Work) specialise in flexible, part-time work.</li> <li><strong>Direct applications</strong>: Walk into cafés, restaurants, and shops with your CV. Hospitality and retail still hire heavily through in-person applications.</li> <li><strong>Online platforms</strong>: Indeed, Totaljobs, and Reed have part-time filters. LinkedIn is less useful for student-level part-time work.</li> </ol> <p><strong>CV tips for UK applications</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>UK CVs are typically 1–2 pages, not the longer academic CVs common in some countries</li> <li>Include your visa status (e.g., “Student Route visa: eligible to work 20 hours/week during term time, full-time during holidays”) to reassure employers</li> <li>List your UK address and phone number (not your overseas contact details)</li> <li>UK employers expect a concise CV, not a photo or personal information (age, marital status)</li> </ul> <h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2> <p><strong>Q: Can I work more than 20 hours during term time if it’s for the university?</strong> A: No. The 20-hour limit applies to all work, including university employment. There is no exception for on-campus jobs, internships, or placements that are not a mandatory part of your course.</p> <p><strong>Q: What happens if I accidentally work 21 hours one week?</strong> A: Even one hour over the limit is a visa violation. If discovered (through HMRC records, employer reporting, or a compliance check), the consequences can include: visa curtailment (shortening), refusal of future visa applications, and in serious or repeated cases, removal from the UK. If your employer schedules you over 20 hours, tell them it’s not permitted—they share responsibility for compliance.</p> <p><strong>Q: Can I work full-time during the Christmas and Easter holidays?</strong> A: Yes, during official university holiday periods. Check your university’s published term dates. The Christmas holiday is typically 3–4 weeks (mid-December to mid-January). Easter is typically 3–4 weeks (March/April, depending on your university). Summer is typically June–September.</p> <p><strong>Q: Can I do an internship or placement year as part of my course?</strong> A: Yes, if it’s an assessed and integral part of your course. This is different from voluntary part-time work. A placement year (sandwich year) is part of your programme and the work hours don’t count toward the 20-hour limit. Your CAS and visa should be issued for the full course duration including the placement year.</p> <p><strong>Q: Do I need a National Insurance Number to work?</strong> A: Yes. You need a National Insurance Number (NINo) to work in the UK. You can start work before receiving your NINo if you’ve applied for one and can prove your right to work (your BRP or digital immigration status). Apply for your NINo as soon as you arrive—there can be waiting times of several weeks.</p>