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You are here: Home Education Higher Education How to work part-time as an international student in the UK

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18/11/2009How to work part-time as an international student in the UK

How to work part-time as an international student in the UK Our handy guide to working part-time while studying in the United Kingdom.

Everyone could use more cash, especially students.

Studying in the United Kingdom for many people represents an enormous challenge and a life-changing experience. Some families have spent fortunes  to fund this education, for all manner of reasons.

As an international student, you may want or need to work during your studies. You might need the extra cash to afford a better social life or to help finance your course. Alternatively, you may want work experience in the UK on your CV (resumé) or just to improve your language skills.

Here are some useful pointers for those thinking of combining their studies with part-time employment.

Before you arrive
Before coming to the UK, it is important to consider what type of visa you apply for and the implications this has on your eligibility to work.

As a rule, only non-EU students enrolled on a course for more than six months are permitted to find part-time employment in the UK.  The new UK points-based immigration system places non-EU students under ‘Tier 4’ (general student visa) and requires educational institutions to sponsor visas prior to arrival in the country.

To qualify for the general student visa, non-EU students are required to:

•    Demonstrate a record of previous study.
•    Study a course at Level 3. (A factsheet about course levels is available from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority).
•    Provide evidence of sufficient funds to support him- or herself throughout their studies.
•    Produce original copies of all relevant academic qualifications.

Students (non-EU) who hold the general student visa are only allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time but are permitted to work full-time hours during holidays.

Students from EU countries are, however, allowed to obtain employment in the UK.

Post-study employment
Many non-EU students who have been awarded a UK-recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree are able to seek permanent employment, a work placement (sandwich students) or an internship in the United Kingdom once they have completed their education.

Under the points-based immigration system, students’ applications are evaluated against specific criteria and so students need a minimum score of 75 points to be allowed to work. The main criteria are:

•    English language ability (10 points).
•    Sufficient funds (10 points).
•    Previously a Tier 4 student or currently participating in an international graduate’s scheme.
•    UK qualification, e.g., Bachelor’s, postgraduate degree or HND (Scotland only) (20 points).
•    Studied at a UK institution (20 points).
•    Immigration permission during study (20 points).
•    Application made within 12 months of receiving your UK award (15 points).
•    Sponsor’s consent.

Most international students with permission to work would qualify as a Tier 1 (post-study work) migrant. For much more detailed information, visit the United Kingdom Council International Student Advisory (UKCISA) website.
 
Balancing work and study
Finding a balance between work and study is important but a social life also plays a big part in making your experience abroad worthwhile. Studying abroad offers a rare social opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary multi-cultural dynamic and this ought not to be missed.

Nevertheless, shrewd students keep a watchful eye on their finances and may work part-time, perhaps gaining work experience in a related field to their study but maybe just getting by with a more menial role. Although these students may work twice as hard, they also leave university with less debt, on a better footing to start their career.

Finding work
There are numerous recruitment agencies in the UK which offer web-based job searches but these are quite impersonal. Instead or as well as, contact your University employment office. The members of staff there usually give good advice and have developed useful connections with local businesses.

You can also:
•    register with a local recruitment agency;
•    search for jobs on recruitment agency websites;
•    search for jobs on the government’s Jobcentre Plus website.
•    research local businesses and contact them directly in person or by email or letter;
•    sign up for student/graduate job websites.

It is advisable to have your CV prepared in English and also to be able to give at least three employment references to a recruiter or an employer with full contact details. Of courses, this depends on the kind of role you apply for.

Typical student jobs are cleaning, working in a café or bar and clerical work, and many pay the national minimum wage. There are a wide variety of jobs around but getting them depends on luck, persistence and your experience.

Case study: Roberto’s story
A Mexican student, Roberto, shares his experiences about working part-time for a catering company whilst studying at the University of Leeds in 2005.
 
“It wasn’t very difficult to find work in Leeds, because there were a couple of catering companies located near the University. I was very glad that I was working legally since the UK government give you a visa that says where you are or aren’t allowed to work. I still remember I had only 20 hours a week, although I met some people that work more than that.

“Language is one of the main difficulties I remember I had, when I used to work at Leeds Stadium sometimes; I couldn’t understand the customers what they wanted or when my supervisor explained something. My English wasn’t that bad at that time and the job wasn’t very demanding since it was catering, but I met some co-workers who couldn’t speak English very well, so they must have had more difficulties than me. I worked with people of different nationalities most of the time; the people were usually open and easygoing.”

There are increasing opportunities for international graduates in the UK, as companies have become more aware of the benefits of hiring internationals who are both skilled and multilingual. Working part-time during your studies can be an excellent opportunity to get experience, meet other internationals and mix with local British people outside of the university.


Peter Orange/ Editor Expatica UK


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