Can international students do Part- time jobs in UK? If this question has been bothering you, the answer is Yes!
Many international students in UK prefer to work while studying. There are many reasons to do so. Part- time jobs help international students lead a comfortable life with the additional income they earn. These jobs also make them self-dependent, by developing essential life skills and gaining confidence. In this article, they will detail all the aspects of part-time jobs for international students in UK.
What worries most international students in the UK is the cost of living in the country. Sometimes it becomes so difficult to manage ones expenses in a high-priced city. As more student opt for Part- time jobs in the UK. Especially in the weekends and post study hours on weekdays. The work experience again here helps them to understand the work culture and gain employability skills.
Here's an in-depth guide to part-time work for international students in the UK:
UK part-time jobs for international students: Eligibility and Regulations
International students on Tier 4 Visa ( Student Visa) are permitted to work part- time during the term ( course of study )and full time during the breaks or vacation. Students doing their graduation can work up to 20 hours a week during their term time, while those pursuing below degree level should limit to 10 hours per week. It is mandatory to stick to these limits as exceeding them can lead to legal issues. However, there are certain roles which are prohibited for international students, including self-employment, engaging in business activities, working as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, and taking on permanent full-time positions.
|
Category |
Work Restrictions and Allowances |
|
Full-time Degree-Level Students (during term time) |
Maximum of 20 hours per week of paid or unpaid work during term time. |
|
Language Centre Students (during term time) |
Maximum of 10 hours per week of paid or unpaid work during the course term. |
|
Full-Time Course Requirement |
The student visa must be valid and issued for a full-time course. |
|
Full-Time Work During Vacations |
Full-time work is allowed only during vacations or if it is part of a work placement that is an assessed integral part of the course, not exceeding more than 50% of the course's length. |
|
Part-Time Course Students |
Students on part-time courses are not allowed to work part-time or full-time jobs in the UK. |
|
Work Permits (Tier 2 Visa) |
International students cannot work full-time or permanently until they have received a work permit (Tier 2 visa). |
|
Self-Employment, Freelance, and Contract Work |
Not permitted on a student visa in the UK. Self-employment, freelance, and contract work are prohibited. |
Types of Part-Time Jobs for Students in UK
There are various Part- time job opportunities both Off- campus and On- campus for international students in the UK.
On- campus Part- time jobs
The On- campus Part- time jobs include those which students can take up in the university or in the campus itself. On- campus, Part- time jobs include library assistant, teaching assistant, campus ambassador, etc. These jobs might not be lucrative, but however, they provide great experience to the students. On- campus jobs are best Part- time jobs for international students in UK.
Library Assistant : A library assistant works with the management of the library in terms of organizing and managing the library resources. He or she might also be responsible for keeping the data up to date.
Teaching Assistant : Teaching Assistants supports faculty with instructional responsibilities such as lecturing and providing feedback to students.
Campus Ambassador : A campus ambassador represents the university during events and various outreach programs, and he or she represents the university when they move to another university for any events.
|
Job Type |
Hourly Pay Range (£) |
Description |
|
Retail Worker |
8.50 - 11.50 |
Assisting customers, managing stock, and working at checkout counters. |
|
Barista |
8.00 - 10.50 |
Preparing and serving coffee and beverages in cafes. |
|
Library Assistant |
9.00 - 11.00 |
Managing books, assisting students, and organizing library resources. |
|
Teaching Assistant |
10.00 - 15.00 |
Supporting teachers in classrooms or tutoring other students. |
|
Campus Ambassador |
9.50 - 12.00 |
Representing the university during events and promotional activities. |
|
Tutor |
15.00 - 25.00 |
Providing academic support in specialized subjects to peers or school students. |
|
Dog Walker |
8.00 - 12.00 |
Walking and taking care of dogs for pet owners. |
|
Babysitter |
10.00 - 15.00 |
Caring for children, often including light housekeeping or meal prep. |
|
Translator |
12.00 - 20.00 |
Translating documents or providing interpretation services. |
|
Delivery Driver |
9.50 - 13.00 |
Delivering food or parcels for companies like Uber Eats or Deliveroo. |
|
Supermarket Assistant |
8.50 - 11.50 |
Stocking shelves, assisting customers, and working at tills. |
|
Warehouse Worker |
9.00 - 13.00 |
Sorting, packing, and managing inventory in warehouses. |
|
Event Staff |
9.00 - 12.00 |
Assisting at events with tasks like ticketing, ushering, or catering. |
|
Cleaner |
8.00 - 11.00 |
Cleaning residential or commercial spaces. |
|
Waiter/Waitress |
8.00 - 12.00 |
Serving food and beverages at restaurants or cafes. |
Off- campus Part- time jobs
For off- campus Part- time jobs, the students move to other locations for work. Off- campus jobs usually pay more when compared to On- campus Part- time jobs. However, it can be time-consuming to travel from campus to these other locations. Off- campus employment includes retail workers, hospitality roles, Tutor, or even a translator. These can be the best UK Part- time jobs for Indian students.
If you are looking for high paying Part- time jobs in UK for international students there here is the list of selected Part- time jobs in UK.
UK Part- time jobs for Indian students' salary
|
Job Type |
Hourly Pay Range (£) |
Description |
|
Tutor (Private or Group) |
15.00 - 25.00 |
Teaching subjects like math, science, English, or even exam preparation. Private tutoring often earns higher rates, especially for specialized subjects. |
|
Translator/Interpreter |
12.00 - 20.00 |
Translating documents or interpreting in meetings, conferences, and events. Higher rates for rare languages. |
|
Web Developer |
15.00 - 30.00 |
Coding, designing, or managing websites. Many students with IT or computer science backgrounds can find opportunities in this field. |
|
Software Developer |
16.00 - 35.00 |
Developing software and apps. Great opportunities for students with programming and software engineering skills. |
|
Digital Marketing Specialist |
12.00 - 25.00 |
Managing online advertising, social media campaigns, or SEO for companies. High demand for students with marketing and tech skills. |
|
Photographer |
15.00 - 40.00 |
Event, product, or portrait photography. Students with a strong portfolio can earn well, especially during events or weddings. |
|
Graphic Designer |
12.00 - 25.00 |
Designing visuals for websites, marketing materials, or social media. Students with skills in graphic design software can find opportunities in various industries. |
|
Event Coordinator/Staff |
12.00 - 25.00 |
Organizing events, from conferences to weddings. Some roles may include managing guest lists, coordinating vendors, or assisting with setup. |
|
Marketing Research Assistant |
13.00 - 20.00 |
Conducting market research, surveys, or analyzing customer feedback. This is a great job for students pursuing business or marketing degrees. |
|
Research Assistant (University) |
12.00 - 22.00 |
Working on academic research projects with professors. Higher pay for those with specialized skills in areas like data analysis, lab research, etc. |
Finding UK part-time jobs for international students
- University Career Services: Most universities have career centers that guide students with respect to finding Part- time jobs within the campus. They also assist students in resume building, interview preparation and in job search too.
- Online Job Portals: Websites such as Indeed.co.UK, Totaljobs.co.UK, and Reed.co.UK list a number of part-time options suitable for students.
- Student Job Agencies: Platforms like StudentJob.co.UK specialize in connecting students with part-time work opportunities across various sectors.
- Networking: Engaging with peers, professors, and attending university events can lead to job opportunities through word-of-mouth referrals.
Part-Time Jobs in Nottingham for International Students
Nottingham offers many Part- time jobs for international students. The popular sectors include retail, hospitality and education. The city is filled with a great student population, so you can easily find work in shops, cafes and restaurants. There are many On- campus jobs like library assist ,teaching assistants and research assistants which provide great exposure to the students. If you are skilled at subjects like math, English or science, you can take up tutoring option as well. The Nottingham Jobs Centre and websites like Student jobs.co.uk are great resources to find Part- time jobs.
Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Cardiff
Starting with the first drawing, once again Cardiff is home for Cardiff University and it is a hub for international students. It is the capital city of Wales. Many popular Part- time jobs available in Cardiff include customer service, retail work and in the hospitality industry jobs. Cardiff is also home. For many language schools, hence teaching or tutoring positions are also available. Cardiff University has its exclusive career service center Which lists open Part- time jobs On- campus.
Part-Time Jobs in Leicester for International Students
International students studying in Leicester can find jobs easily in retail, hospitality and healthcare sectors. Common roles include shop assistants, wait staff in restaurants or bartenders in pubs and clubs. On- campus roles include research assistant, library assistant and other roles in University of Leicester. Considering the increasing population in Leicester, you can easily find jobs in event management and promotions too.
Part-Time Jobs in Newcastle upon Tyne for International Students
Newcastle upon Tyne offers wide range of Part- time job opportunities for international students. The city is famous for its retail sector and The students can find jobs in supermarkets, shops, shopping centers. Student focused roles include campus ambassadors, libraries assistants, and research assistant in Newcastle University. There are also opportunities for those good at IT skills such as web developer, data entry operator, etc.
Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Birmingham, UK
Birmingham is one of the most famous studies abroad destinations for international students. It is one of the largest cities in the UK. There are many Part- time job opportunities available in Birmingham. The popular industries to work for are retail, customer service and hospitality. Students can easily find positions such as sales assistants, cashiers waiters in Birmingham as it's a busy shopping area. Students with good teaching skills can find tutoring positions through the University of Birmingham or through local tutoring centers.
Part- time jobs in London for International Students
London's vibrant job market makes it one of the most preferred destinations for international students to study abroad. It also offers a wealth of Part- time job opportunities for international students. The popular sectors where you can find job opportunities are retail with positions such as sales assistant or cashier. Part- time jobs in London UK for international students include event management, tourism and marketing, particularly during the busy seasons. The London Careers Hub provides a wide range of job listings for international students across various industries.
Conclusion
UK offers a wealth of opportunities with respect to Part- time jobs for international students. These Part- time jobs not only offer monetary benefits, but they also help you professionally. Most popular sectors include retail, hospitality, tutoring, customer service and administrative rules. However, you need to consider your visa restrictions and be mindful while taking up any Part- time job opportunity. It's preferable to take On- campus Rules like teaching assistant or library assistant and then opt Off- campus job roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the legal requirements for international students to work part-time in the UK?
A. International students on Tier 4 Visa (Student Visa) are legally permitted to work part- time up to 20 hours a week during their term time (course of study) and full time during the breaks or vacation.
Q. What are the typical hourly wages for part-time jobs available to international students in the UK?
A. The typical hourly wage for part time jobs ranges between £6.83–£10.42 per hour.
Q. What are the most common part-time jobs available to international students in the UK?
A. The most common part- time jobs include Retail, hospitality, tutoring, admin work, and delivery services.
Q. How can international students find part-time jobs in the UK?
A. Students can easily find part- time jobs through university job boards, online platforms (e.g., Indeed, LinkedIn), local businesses, and networking.
Q. What are the tax implications for international students working part-time in the UK?
A. Students need a National Insurance Number and may pay income tax if earning above the annual personal allowance (£12,570 in 2024).
