Working in the UK
Can I work during my studies?
Your eVisa or decision letter will confirm how many hours you are allowed to work, both during term-time and vacation periods. Student visa holders are usually allowed to work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during official vacation periods.
Voluntary or unpaid work is included in the total number of hours you can work and is subject to the same restrictions as paid work. You should always check your own visa conditions to ensure that you are not working more than the maximum hours. Voluntary work is different to volunteering. For example, volunteering is likely to be helping a charity or public sector organisation without contractual obligations to perform the role or to be provided with work by the organisation. Volunteers are also unlikely to receive payment or payment in kind for their time. If you are not sure if an opportunity is volunteering or voluntary work, please contact visa@norwichuni.ac.uk for further advice.
There are some roles that you cannot hold, and we would encourage you to check the official UKVI Student Route guidance for detailed information. Some of the roles that you cannot hold include:
Employment as an entertainer
- Working as an entertainer could include paid and unpaid performance work as an actor, musician, dancer, or other performer.
Employment as a professional or semi-professional sportsperson
Self-employment
All forms of self-employment are prohibited, including:
- Regularly selling items on eBay, Amazon, Etsy, at car boot sales or fairs, etc. for a profit. However, occasional sales of unwanted items are allowed.
- Working freelance or undertaking ‘gig economy’ work in which you are technically self-employed such as driving/riding for a courier or food delivery service, tutoring through an online service or working as a distributor for direct sales companies.
- Any activity for which you are paid in cash or arrange yourself e.g., babysitting, tutoring or dog-walking. This activity is likely to be seen as self-employment.
Business Activities
- Regularly buying and sell stocks, shares, or currency in order to make money.
- Running a business or working for a company where you hold a statutory role, such as director.
- Passive income: affiliate marketing, clicks on YouTube videos, sponsored Instagram content, etc.
The following link by UKCISA may be useful:
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/blog/7093/Navigating-work-and-study-with-a-Student-visa
Please contact the Student visa compliance team on visa@norwichuni.ac.uk if you require further advice on the opportunities that you can take part in as a Student visa holder.
Can I be work full time outside of termtime?
If your visa only limits your working hours during term time, you will be able to work outside of term-time. You can check these dates here: https://norwichuni.ac.uk/university-life/term-dates/
Your employer may require evidence of your term dates. This can be requested through the eVision Self-Service functionality.
Can I do a work placement as part of my course?
Student visa holders can undertake a work placement if it is an integral and assessed part of the course, for example as part of the Diploma in Creative Professional Development.
Please contact visa@norwichuni.ac.uk if you are undertaking a work placement as part of your course.
If you organise your own work experience, placement or opportunity this will be subject to the work conditions of your Student visa and should not impact your attendance on your course.
Can I be employed in a permanent role once I have completed my studies?
If you have completed your studies and your official course end date has passes, you can be employed on a temporary full-time basis until your visa expires but you must not fill a permanent post whilst on a Student visa. Your employer may require evidence that you have completed your course. This can be requested through the eVision Self-Service functionality.
What is a National Insurance Number?
If you want to work in the UK you will need to apply for a National Insurance Number, unless you have already been provided with one. This number is used by the Government to ensure that you have paid the correct tax and track your tax allowance. The National Insurance Number is unique to you and cannot be used by anyone else. More information on applying for a National Insurance Number is available from:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number