How many hours per week can I work part-time while studying in the UK, and what is the typical hourly wage for a 21-year-old student?

Your permitted hours actually depend on your course level, not just your Student visa status, so a 21-year-old on a degree-level course has different limits from one on a below-degree-level course, and it's worth confirming which category applies before assuming the standard 20-hour figure.

How Many Hours You're Allowed

• Degree-level, full-time course: up to 20 hours a week during term time, full-time during official vacations.
• Below degree level: typically capped at 10 hours a week during term time.
• Some courses: permit no employment at all, so always check your visa or eVisa conditions directly.

What Age-21 Pay Actually Looks Like

As of 1 April 2026, the UK's National Minimum Wage for workers aged 21 and over is Pounds 12.71 an hour, and this rate applies equally to international student workers. At the full permitted 20 hours a week, that comes to Pounds 254.20 gross a week, or roughly Pounds 1,102 a month before tax across a year. Real student jobs can pay more than the statutory minimum; UK government research has found student visa holders commonly reporting hourly earnings above the bare minimum wage, particularly in tutoring, retail supervision or campus roles.

This Information Is Also Available On

• GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage rates (UK Government)
• GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Student (UK Government)

My Advice

In my experience, students treat the 20-hour cap as something to push right up against every single week, but a more sustainable approach is averaging closer to 15 hours during exam-heavy periods and using the full-time holiday allowance to make up the difference. Campus jobs and university-affiliated roles are worth prioritising over generic retail work, since they tend to be more flexible around your timetable.