During my one year master's study in the UK, can I work legally and for how many hours per week?
Yes, you can work legally with a Student Visa during a one-year UK master's, up to 20 hours a week during term time, counted Monday to Sunday with no averaging. Summer usually still counts as term time since you are working on your dissertation, so the cap continues.
Yes, you can legally work during your one-year UK master's as long as you hold a valid Student Visa, but your allowed hours change depending on the exact point you are at in the calendar. Getting this wrong, especially over summer, is one of the most common mistakes master's students make.
Your Working Hours Across the Master's Year
| Period | Maximum Hours |
|---|---|
| Term Time | 20 hours per week, Monday to Sunday, no averaging |
| Official Vacations (Christmas, Easter) | Full-time |
| Summer (Dissertation Period) | Still 20 hours per week unless your university names an official vacation |
| After Official Course End Date on Your CAS | Full-time until your Student Visa expires |
Restrictions You Must Follow Regardless of Hours
- You cannot be self-employed, freelance, run a business, or take gig-economy roles like food delivery or private hire driving.
- You cannot fill a permanent full-time vacancy; your job must be temporary or fixed-term.
- You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, sports coach, or entertainer under Student visa conditions.
My Advice
Check your eVisa or BRP confirmation letter now for your exact hour limit and course end date, and treat summer as term time by default unless your university states otherwise in writing. Line up a part-time role with flexible, temporary hours early, since fixed 20-hour compliance is easier with employers who already understand student visa rules.
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