If I want to join a part-time job during or after joining the university, what is the process in UK?
As an international student on a Student Visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time during holidays. Get a National Insurance number, use your university's careers portal, and generate a Right to Work share code for employers before you apply.
Getting a part-time job in the UK follows a clear process once you confirm you are legally allowed to work under your visa. As an international student on a Student Visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays, though you cannot freelance or work as a sole trader. You can start applying and working before your National Insurance number even arrives, as long as you have your right-to-work documentation ready.
Your Step-by-Step Process
| Step | What You Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Confirm your right to work | Up to 20 hours a week in term time, full-time during holidays |
| 2. Get a National Insurance number | Apply online via GOV.UK once you have an address and phone |
| 3. Search for openings | University careers portal, on-campus roles, Indeed, LinkedIn, StudentJob UK |
| 4. Apply | Tailor a 1 to 2 page CV, generate your Right to Work share code for employers |
After You Graduate
- The Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work at any skill level for up to 2 years, or 18 months depending on your exact dates.
- A permanent graduate-level job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor can move you onto a Skilled Worker visa.
- Keep your CV updated with any part-time roles, since they show UK work history to future sponsoring employers.
My Advice
Register with your university's careers portal in your first week and generate your Right to Work share code immediately, so you are not losing weeks of eligible work time while paperwork catches up. Start applying to on-campus roles first, since they are used to hiring students around 20-hour visa limits and exam schedules.
How much can you actually earn part-time in the UK?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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