Most students work while studying in the UK. The cost of living in Britain is generally high so a steady source of income can help you with your expenses. The experience of working in a different culture and environment can also be very rewarding. Traditionally, students do unskilled jobs such as working in bars, shops, fast food outlets, restaurants and supermarkets.

EEA NATIONALS

All EEA nationals and their dependants can work freely without any restrictions during their stay in the UK. However, nationals of the eastern and central European accession countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia) need to register with the Home Office (under the Worker Registration Scheme) as soon as employment begins.

NON-EEA NATIONALS AND WORK PERMITS

International students can now work without a work permit while studying, as long as they are not prohibited from doing so on their entry clearance or visa. However, there are still some restrictions on the type and hours of work that they can do. They are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week during term time, except where a work placement is to be undertaken as a necessary part of the course of study as agreed by the institution. They cannot engage in business, self-employment, the provision of services or take up work as a professional entertainer or sportsperson. They should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy. During vacations they are permitted to work full-time (40 hours).

Occasionally a student may have a prohibition on working stamped in their passport. This will indicate that they have ‘Leave to enter for/until (a specified time). No work or recourse to public funds.’ Check your visa before seeking work.

Dependants

The immigration rules allow the spouse or dependent child of a non-EEA international student to work without a work permit. Note, however, that the spouse or child of a student will be prohibited from working unless leave to enter has been given for 12 months or more.

Work experience and internships

As part of your course you are allowed to take a sandwich placement provided you are at a recognised university or college; the placement is essential if you are to obtain your qualification; the placement is a small part of your total course duration; and will not go on beyond the course completion date.

WHERE TO FIND WORK

The best place to look for part-time work is at your institution’s careers advisory service, local job centre, local employment agencies, local press, local shop windows and employer stalls at your university freshers fair.

The careers advisory service usually has a list of all part-time jobs available in and around the university or college campus. Check your Students’ Union as they tend to employ a lot of casual student staff to work in the bars, shops and catering. Working on the campus or in the Students’ Union might also help you to save time because you do not have to commute to work in the town or city.

Your local job centre, run by the government, will have listings of available jobs in your town. They will even interview you on the spot and confirm your appointment.

Local employment agencies advertise both full-time and part-time jobs. Call them or drop in to arrange an appointment. Take your passport, CV and references if you have any. You will then be interviewed by one of the representatives. It is best to visit as many agencies as possible to increase your chances of finding employment. Major national recruitment agencies are Manpower, Hays Personnel, Reed and Kelly’s Services. Besides these there are several local recruitment agencies listed in Yellow Pages.

It is also worth walking around your town or city to check notices in the windows of supermarkets, shops and restaurants, or enquire inside. Most of these establishments tend to employ part-time and casual staff especially before Christmas. Start looking for jobs during late September and October.

Prospective employers will ask to see your ID, passport and visa to check whether you are permitted to work in the UK.

Before accepting a job, make sure that you are aware of the commitments being asked of you. Remember that you are in the UK to get your academic qualifications and if you commit to too much work you may find your studies being affected. Also be sure that you are aware of when and how much you are being paid. You should receive a contract outlining pay, hours of work and further details about the employer.

When you start work your employer will take a photocopy of your ID/passport and visa. You’ll also be asked to provide your National Insurance number and to fill in certain tax forms (see below).

WAGES

Do not expect to be paid much for casual or part-time work. The current national minimum wage is £4.85 per hour (if you are aged 22 or over) and £4.10 per hour (if you are under 22). Most organisations pay around £5.50 an hour. However, some establishments pay extra for work done during unsociable hours (after 8.00pm) and pay double for work on Sundays and bank holidays.