Part Time Jobs in UK

Having a part time job in UK is extremely popular among international students. Firstly, because living a study abroad dream comes with high cost and gives a huge burden. Additionally, having some extra cash can help students to pay for some additional loans and living expenses. Not only this, but a part time job in UK can also help students to enhance their professional and practical skills.

UK is a top three study abroad destination and the average cost of studying in the UK for Indian students is around 15,00,000-40,00,000 INR depending on your program and level of study. The cost of living in UK also varies depending on your location in the UK and your lifestyle. Uk allows international students on a Tier 4 student visa to work for 20 hours during course time. However, several top universities recommend students to work 15 hours per week to maintain work-study balance.

When looking for part time jobs in the UK, make sure you do not compromise with your studies at any cost. Working late after attending classes, running behind schedule, missing classes will eventually make your life in the UK stressful. As an international student, initially the study pressure on you will also be more as you will need time to adapt to the UK education system. It is recommended that you look for jobs within close vicinity to the campus. Part time jobs not only help you to manage your budget but also provide experience, management skills, networking opportunities and skill building.

Part Time Jobs in UK: Permitted Work Hours

All international students require a Tier 4 student visa to pursue further or higher education in the UK. With a student visa, an international student can study and participate in part time jobs in the UK under restricted hours. The hours of work depend upon what course you are pursuing and whether you are working during course time or holidays. The eligibility criteria for part time jobs in UK for international students are listed below:

• Work for 20 hours per week during course time if you are enrolled in a full-time degree program.
• During holidays, students are allowed to work for 40 hours per week.
• Students enrolled in foundation level programs are only allowed to work for 10 hours per week.

On-campus Part Time Jobs in UK for International Students

There may be internal positions on campus that international students could fill. These positions usually arise in libraries, cafeteria, admissions office, bookstore, campus tour guide, etc. By working on campus, students can also save the time and money spent on travelling. However, on-campus jobs for international students are limited and cannot be relied upon. The general eligibility criteria applies for students seeking part time jobs on campus:

• Students enrolled in full-time degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. programs are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the study period.
• Full-time degree students can work full-time during holidays.
• Working for only 10 hours per week is permitted for students who are enrolled in language programs or foundation level courses.
• Part-time program students are not eligible to apply for part time jobs on campus.

Off-campus Jobs for International Students

There are several off-campus jobs for international students in the UK. Some of the highest paying jobs are available in the Marketing, Education, Administration, Health and Social Service sectors. International students can start looking for off-campus jobs closer to the university. It is easy for international students to find jobs to work as assistants, helper, receptionist, cashier, waiters, delivery staff, babysitter, caretaker, etc. Retail outlets are one of the major sources of employment for students seeking part time jobs in UK for international students.

However, there are some restrictions for international students seeking part time jobs off-campus. These rules must be adhered to since failure to comply with any of these might lead to the cancellation of your UK student visa and even deportation.

• Students enrolled in part-time courses are not eligible for part time jobs in UK.
• Under any circumstances, international students must not take the following types of part time jobs in UK:
  • Self-employment
  • Business
  • Full-time employment
  • Doctor or dentist
  • Professional sportsperson
  • Entertainer

Basic Pay for Part Time Jobs in UK

International students who take part time jobs in UK are assured a basic pay according to the National Minimum Wage which is provided in the table below:

Average Pay Per Hour for Part time Jobs

It must be noted that the pay per hour for part time jobs in the UK are generally 1.5 times higher for night shifts than the day shifts. The following table represents the average pay per hour for common part time jobs in UK for international students:

Best Part Time Jobs in UK for International Students

Some of the top part time jobs in UK paying handsome amounts of hourly wages are tabulated below. 

Where to Look for Part Time Jobs in UK?

There are various sources of part time jobs in UK. To apply for a job on or off-campus, prepare a CV and keep it handy. The most common sources to check when looking for part time jobs for international students in the UK are discussed below:

• University Website: On-campus jobs are posted on the university website as well as through announcements on the university notice boards.
• Career Team: Most universities in the UK have a Career Center that is responsible for assisting students in finding jobs. The career team can keep students posted about any on-campus positions or off-campus part time jobs within close vicinity of the university.
• Newspapers: Local employers looking for part-time workers post job openings in the local newspapers. International students must keep checking the newspapers regularly to get information related to part time jobs.
• Job Search Portals: There are a number of online job search portals that can help international students to locate suitable part time jobs close to the campus.
• Networking: Networking with peers, seniors, teachers can help you get useful information about part time jobs in UK. International students are also encouraged to look for jobs by talking to potential employers at nearby libraries, bookstores, retail outlets, grocery stores, etc.

How to Boost Your Chances of Finding Part Time Jobs in UK?

While looking for part time jobs in UK as an international student you will face tough competition from domestic students. However, you must not be discouraged and try to boost your chances of finding part time jobs in UK for international student by using the following tips:

• Sign up for volunteering opportunities or unpaid work that can help you gain experience and add value to your CV.
• Actively participate in student organizations and events held on campus.
• Make yourself known to people around you through networking.
• Participate in competitions, seminars and workshops that can help you prove your abilities.
• Be helpful to your professors as they can recommend you for on-campus part time jobs.
• Don’t deny any opportunity that comes your way even if it is not related to your areas of interest as it can open new doors for you.

Also Check: Jobs in UK After MBA

Laws Governing Part time Jobs in UK

Finally, it is essential to know the regulations before beginning your search for a part-time employment in the U.K. International students are subject to specific restrictions when it comes to working part-time in the UK:

• For students studying at Degree level or more – Maximum of 20 hours per week
• You cannot work full-time unless you have a work permit
• Self-employment is not allowed. For example, you cannot work as an entertainer, a sports coach or any sort of entrepreneur.

Most part-time work opportunities are paid but initially you may have to take up voluntary work if you have a hard time finding a suitable job. Voluntary work helps you get experience, learn about the work culture in the UK and also adds value to your CV. However, it is recommended that you apply for voluntary work wisely as you may be at the risk of exploitation. International students taking part time jobs in UK for international student must take note of all the restrictions. Apart from the rules of the student visa, the university or state-run institutions may also impose restrictions on your work. Therefore, just be mindful of a few things when looking for a job and you will end up gaining a lot from it.