Working while studying

If you are studying on a full-time degree-level programme and have a Student visa, your eVisa should state '20 hours max in term time' or similar. 

With this endorsement, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and there's no restriction on the number of hours you can work outside of semester dates, which includes the time before your course begins and after your course has finished. Refer to your CAS for your official course dates. 

There are restrictions on the type of work you can do. You cannot:

• be self-employed, work freelance or run a business
• be a professional sports person or entertainer
• be medical doctor or dentist in training
• take up a full-time permanent position unless you have submitted a valid application for the Graduate Route

UKCISA provides a useful article about working in the UK as a Student visa holder.

A 'week' has been defined in the Immigration Rules as "a period of 7 days beginning with a Monday". It is essential that you work no more than 20 hours in any seven-day period starting on a Monday. 

If you work irregular hours and/or have more than one employer, you will need to keep accurate records of how many hours you work each day to ensure you are not in breach of your work conditions.

There's no restriction on the number of hours you can work outside semester dates and after your programme has finished. You should check your CAS for the official end date of your programme. 

The summer is not a vacation period for Masters students, as during this time you are enrolled on your dissertation and you can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week until the official end date of your programme listed on your CAS.

SOAS research degrees are continuous programmes. Enrolment runs from the first day of the academic session until the day preceding the first day of the next academic session, so September to September each year.

As semester dates do not apply, you can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week during your programme apart from the exceptions below. You cannot take up a permanent position.

There's no restriction on the number of hours you can work during the following periods:

• Prior to the course start date on your CAS.
• During approved annual leave or SOAS official closure days; however:
  • annual leave must be approved by your academic department and the Doctoral School before any work for more than 20 hours commences
  • you must return to working only 20 hours per week once your approved annual leave or SOAS official closure days have ended
• From the point at which you have reached the official end of your course and completed all requirements to be awarded your degree until the expiry date of your Student visa.

If the vignette in your passport contains the following wording then you have a prohibition on working in the UK:

• 'No work or recourse to public funds'
• 'No recourse to public funds. No work or engaging in business'

The equivalent prohibition on a BRP simply says 'NO WORK'.

If you entered the UK using the Standard Visitor visa you are prohibited from working. If you have Student visa but have a prohibition endorsed on your eVisa, this is likely to be an error that should be corrected.

International Students wishing to work must apply for a National Insurance number, which will enter you into the UK tax system. You can apply when you are looking for work or have found a job.

If you work in the UK, you may need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions depending on how much you earn. For more information on income tax, visit GOV.UK.