Who Can Work and How to Do It
Gaining UK experience while making some British Pounds while you are a student in the UK can be really helpful not just financially, but employers worldwide tend to hire those with work experience over those who do not (even if the work is manual or service oriented and not related to your field of study).
But there are some rules surrounding the amount of work you can do and who can do it.
So what are the prospects and opportunities for students to work in the UK?
How do you succeed?
If you want the answers to these questions – you have come to the right place!
1. Prospects
For international students, opportunities within the University they are studying, are a great possibility. In addition, part-time jobs in the thriving economic activity that typically most university towns is the way to go.
It is typically not difficult to find work since such service economies always have room for more helping hands. In fact, all throughout the UK, you can expect to find direct short-term opportunities, or contract work through recruitment agencies and labour-hire companies.
In addition to this, you can also use your own quickly expanding networks and just some plain old fashion asking.
In this guide, we will discuss some measures you can take to significantly increase your chances of finding work quickly in the UK.
There are some government rules surrounding international students working in the UK, as detailed below.
2. Who Can Work
International students with Tier-4 visas are permitted to work basis the following:
- To supplement their income while studying.
- To meet course requirements where working is integral to course completion and assessed.
But not all Tier-4 visa entrants can work in the UK.
Here are the scenarios in which international students working is not permissible:
- If you are pursuing a part-time course at the post-degree level (RQF level 7 and equivalents) or above, sponsored by a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a Higher Education Institution.
- If you are pursuing a course at any level from a publicly funded further education college.
- If you are pursuing a course at any level from a private provider.
- If you pursuing any course as a Tier 4 (child) student, under the age of 16 years.
Additionally, international students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations in the following scenarios:
- If you are pursuing a full-time course at degree level (RQF level 6 and equivalents) or above, sponsored by a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a Higher Education Institution.
- If you are pursuing a short-term study abroad programme in the UK at an overseas Higher Education Institution.
However, international students are allowed to work 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations in the following scenarios:
- If you are pursuing a full-time course below degree level (RQF level 6 and equivalents), sponsored by a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a Higher Education Institution.
- If you pursuing any course, as long as you are a Tier 4 (child) student, over the age of 16 years.
For more information on the Tier 4 visa and work check out the Guidance on UK Visas and Immigration’s policy pdf – section 303.
3. What You Need to Do
Apart from the Tier 4 visa, the one thing that anyone needs is a National Insurance Number (NI Number). You can get the ball rolling before you arrive in the UK and get the help of a service to make it easier.
The UK government uses National Insurance Numbers to facilitate employers’ contribution to National Insurance on their employees’ behalf. If you wish to work in the UK as a student, you need to have this National Insurance Number to avoid paying higher tax and claim your taxes back.
If you want to know how you can get your NI Number, you can get more information here.
4. Opportunities
As an international student, there are three kinds of work opportunities that can come your way:
4.1 Summer Internships
These typically relate to your course or field of study and are aimed at second-year students. There are some cases were employers accept first-year students as well. Note that these are short stints that last about two to three months during summer.
4.2 Industrial Placements
These usually happen in the placement year, as part of the course-work for undergraduate degrees in some cases. You may get to spend a year, probably the last year, working for a company where your theoretical knowledge translates into industry experience.
4.3 Part-Time Jobs
These opportunities may not be closely linked to your field of study but allow you much experience in terms of commercial operations and teamwork. Evening and weekend shifts at local shops or restaurants, volunteer work at charities, and similar commitments come under this category.
In most cases, students come across such employment options via postings on online portals, their university careers’ service, students’ union, recruitment agencies, or advertisements by local businesses.
5. 7 Tips to Find Work
Though there are plenty of opportunities available to international students for working in the UK, there are some characteristics and practices that can expedite the job-finding process.
Tips:
- Proficient English-speakers have a wider pool of jobs available to them, especially in the service sector where client interaction is a must. Work on your spoken-English for better employability.
- Have a detailed, well-structured resume at your disposal at all times. Potential employers pay attention to details when judging candidates who have no prior work experience.
- Consult a recruitment agency if you want a better access to available job opportunities.
- Always proffer an amiable disposition and positive attitude during interviews since at the entry-level, first impressions matter immensely.
- Dress appropriately when headed to meet potential employers. Casual clothing may draw attention away from your claims of work-appropriate temperament.
- Go beyond the beaten path of all your fellow students to reduce competition and find different and often better opportunities.
- Share this page with a student friend who you can potentially work together with at finding work.
Armed with the information provided above and a positive attitude – finding a job in the UK should be a tad bit easier for international students.
Recent Comments