Working during study as Student visa holder

Student visa holders at the University of Dundee should be allowed to work during their studies. If you start to work in the UK you will need to apply for a National Insurance Number.

Can I work while I study in the UK?

Check what your visa states, you cannot work in the UK if your visa states:

• no work
• work prohibited

This means that you must not undertake any paid or unpaid work, including work placements for your course. If you believe that this is an error you can report it to the Home Office via their online form.

You can work in the UK if your visa states one of the following:

• work limited to max 20 hrs per week during term-time
• restricted work. P/T term time. F/T vacations
• restricted work term time

You must ensure that you comply with any restrictions that apply to you. It is a criminal offence to breach any immigration conditions.

How many hours can I work during my studies?

Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full-time during vacations. A week is each 7 day period Monday to Sunday. Any work (paid or unpaid) counts towards your weekly work limit. This includes if you work for more than one organisation. Your hours cannot be averaged over a longer period.

Semester and vacation dates on the University website only apply to standard undergraduate programmes. Some programmes, especially at postgraduate level, will have different teaching and assessment arrangements. You should refer to your Student Handbook or School office for course specific information.

Examinations and resits

If you have exams or resit exams the entire exam period is term time for you. If you have any resits you must inform your employer of the change to your working hours.

Postgraduate taught students

Postgraduate taught students have more limited vacation periods than undergraduate students. You will be considered on vacation and able to work full time:

• During the Christmas break (from the end of the December exam period to the start of teaching in January)
• Between your summer modules ending and teaching restarting (January intake) or visa expiry (September intake). Early submission does not impact vacation periods. 

At all other times throughout the year you are in term time and should only work up to 20 hours per week.

Postgraduate research students

The academic year for postgraduate research students is continuous. You cannot work full time at any point during your studies until you have submitted your thesis.

After thesis submission the number of hours you can work on a Student visa will depend on the stage of the process:

• Between thesis submission and viva is vacation and you can work full time
• Between your viva and final approval of your degree is a return to full-time study. This includes time working on corrections, if applicable.

The restrictions on the type of work you can undertake on a Student visa continue to apply. This information only covers immigration restrictions. If you have a financial sponsor or studentship you should check if any work restrictions apply. 

Type of work

On a Student visa you can do most kinds of work, but you must not:

• Be self-employed (this may be described as ‘consultancy’, ‘contractor’ or ‘freelance’ work)
• Engage in business activity. This means working for a business where you have a financial or other significant beneficial interest in a capacity other than as an employee
• Fill a full-time permanent vacancy
• Be employed as a professional sportsperson, including as a sports coach
• Be employed as an entertainer
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training, unless you are on the foundation programme

If you are unsure if a job is not permitted you should seek further guidance before accepting. The Immigration Compliance team can offer advice.

Work placements and internships

The Home Office does not make a distinction between work placements and internships.

A Student visa allows you to undertake a work placement provided it is an ‘integral and assessed’ part of your course. Taught students usually meet this requirement when a work placement is part of a module. In most cases, you must not spend more than 50% of your course undertaking work placement(s). This limit does not apply where working more than 50% of your course is a statutory requirement.

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students

You may have the opportunity to undertake a work placement as one of your modules. Placement details will need to be agreed with your School.

If you undertake a work placement or internship that is not part of your studies the usual work rules apply.

Postgraduate research students

You can only undertake a work placement if it is integral to your PhD research and approved by your supervisor. If you defer your studies to undertake a work placement, the University cannot continue to sponsor your visa.

Volunteering

You can volunteer on your Student visa. The Home Office makes a distinction between volunteering and voluntary work. Voluntary work is considered unpaid employment and is included in your 20 hours a week. Opportunities advertised as volunteering could still be considered voluntary work.

Voluntary workers usually have contractual obligations (e.g. scheduled attendance and specific tasks). The employer is contractually required to provide work – the contract does not have to be written. You may receive non-cash benefits for your work.

If you are volunteering, you do not have a contract. You must not be a substitute for an employee and must not be doing unpaid work. This includes receiving payment in kind. You can be repaid travel and subsistence expenses.

You should check with the organisation offering the volunteering role if it is unpaid employment.

Paying income tax and National Insurance contributions

You need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance if you earn over a certain amount in a single tax year.

Employees and employers both pay National Insurance contributions. You will need to apply for a National Insurance number (NINo) once you start to work in the UK.

Apply for a National Insurance Number

You can apply for a National Insurance Number at GOV.UK. You may need your passport or national identity card to prove your identity. It can take up to 4 weeks for a National Insurance number to be issued after you have proven your identity. You can only apply once you have arrived in the UK.

Can my family members work while I study in the UK?

Student visa dependants should be allowed to work if one of the following applies:

• Your Student permission is 9 months or more and your course is at degree level or above
• Your Student permission is less than 9 months but you are continuing a course for which you had a Student visa for 9 months or more

My employer says I must prove I can work during my studies

Your employer can check with UKVI that you are allowed to work. Employers have a legal obligation to check that you are allowed to work in the UK. You must be able to provide evidence of this, usually by showing them your passport or visa. You can also request a letter from the University confirming your right to work in the UK.

Employer information

Employers who want to verify the details of your work letter should contact the Immigration Compliance team directly. We will require evidence that the student has provided consent to discuss this with us.

Minimum wage and contracts of employment 

The National Minimum Wage is aimed at providing minimum standards and fairness in the workplace. The Government has set standard minimum rates of hourly pay to which workers are entitled. This varies based on age. It does not matter how small an employer is, they still have to pay the correct minimum wage. When offered a job, you can check the UK Government website to ensure you will be paid correctly.

If you are offered a job, ensure you agree a contract of employment with your employer. This protects your rights as an employee.

Employability Opportunities

There are opportunities at the University of Dundee to enhance your ability to secure paid work. This can be through developing your skills, knowledge and attributes.

For more information please visit the following webpages:

• Careers Service