How many hours per week can I work part-time while studying as an international master's student in the UK or Canada, and what is the typical minimum wage I can expect to earn per hour in each country?
Yes, the UK allows up to 20 hours a week during term at a 12.71 pound minimum wage for age 21 plus, while Canada allows up to 24 hours a week off campus at province-set wages such as 17.60 Canadian dollars in Ontario and 18.25 in British Columbia.
Both countries let you work legally while studying a full-time Masters, but the weekly hour cap and how wages are set work differently enough that a straight hourly comparison alone can be misleading.
UK vs Canada: Work Hours and Wages
| Factor | United Kingdom | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Hours during term | Up to 20 hours a week | Up to 24 hours a week off campus |
| Hours during breaks | Generally full-time allowed | Unlimited during eligible scheduled breaks |
| Minimum wage | 12.71 pounds an hour for age 21 plus | Varies by province, roughly 15 to 18.25 Canadian dollars an hour |
| Example weekly earning | About 254 pounds before tax at the maximum hours | About 422 Canadian dollars before tax in Ontario at the maximum hours |
Why Canada's Wage Varies So Much
Canada has no single national minimum wage for ordinary workers, since each province and territory sets its own rate. British Columbia currently sits at 18.25 Canadian dollars an hour, Ontario at 17.60 rising to 17.95 from October 2026, and Quebec at 16.60, so your actual earning potential depends heavily on which province your university is in, not just the 24 hour cap itself.
What This Means in Practice
Canada's extra 4 permitted hours a week during term can add up over a semester, but the UK's flat national wage makes budgeting more predictable regardless of which city you study in. Common jobs in both countries include retail, hospitality, tutoring, and on-campus roles, and both countries restrict certain types of work and self-employment under a student visa or study permit.
This Information Is Also Available On
UK Government, national minimum wage rates page, and Government of Canada, working off campus as an international student guidance.
My Advice
In my experience, students treat part-time work as a way to fully fund their degree, when realistically it should be viewed as supplementary income for personal expenses rather than tuition or rent. Budget your degree assuming you earn nothing from part-time work in your first two months while you settle in and find a job, then treat any part-time income after that as a buffer rather than a core part of your financial plan.
More expert answers
The 20 hour cap is a maximum, not a target, and it is set by your Student visa conditions and sponsor category rather than by your nationality. Confirming your exact entitlement before you accept any job matters more than the headline number.
Term Time vs Vacation Work Rules
During term time you are limited to 20 hours a week across all jobs combined, not per employer. Outside term time, which your university defines through its official vacation dates, you can generally work full time provided your course and sponsor allow it. Universities report this limit to the Home Office as part of your sponsorship, so exceeding it is a visa compliance issue, not just an employment one.
- Term time cap: 20 hours a week across every job you hold.
- Vacation periods: full time work is allowed if your official course calendar confirms you are outside term.
- Restricted roles: self employment, freelance work, and professional sport are not permitted on a Student visa.
What the 2026 Minimum Wage Means in Practice
From April 2026 the National Minimum Wage bands are £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for ages 18 to 20, and £8.00 for under 18s. A 21 year old working the full 20 term time hours earns roughly £254.20 a week gross, before tax and National Insurance, or around £1,100 a month on average. Many campus jobs, tutoring, and hospitality roles pay above the statutory minimum, sometimes £13 to £16 an hour, which changes the monthly figure meaningfully if you can secure one of these positions.
This Information Is Also Available On
GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Student; GOV.UK, Minimum Wage Rates for 2026.
My Advice
In my experience, students who treat the 20 hour limit as a floor rather than a ceiling run into trouble fastest, either with their sponsor or with their grades. I would budget on the lower end of the pay scale first and treat anything above statutory minimum as a bonus, since campus roles fill quickly and hospitality pay varies a lot by city. If your funds are tight, check your specific visa conditions with your university's international office before you sign an offer letter, since a small number of sponsors set stricter conditions than the general rule.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Canada?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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