UK Cost & living - Part-time work
59 questions
Expert Answers
What are the part-time work limits and pay for students in the UK, Germany and the USA, and how much could I earn?
→Students can work part-time in the UK (20 hours in term for most courses), Germany (20 hours or 140/280 days) and the USA (on campus). UK minimum wage is around GBP 12.71 an hour for age 21+, Germany's EUR 13.90, and US student wages typically USD 12 to 22.
As a full-time student in the UK, how many hours can I work and how much will I earn weekly?
→As a full-time degree-level student in the UK, you can typically work up to 20 hours per week in term time and up to around 40 during official holidays. At about GBP 12.71 per hour (2026, age 21 and over), term-time pay is roughly GBP 254 weekly before tax.
As an international student in the UK, how much will I earn part-time and can I freelance on my visa?
→On a degree-level course in the UK you can work up to 20 hours a week in term (other courses may have lower limits) and full-time in official holidays. The 2026 minimum wage for over-21s is GBP 12.71 an hour, and freelancing is not allowed on a student visa.
On a UK Student visa for my master's, how many hours can I work and how much will I earn weekly?
→As a master's student on a UK Student visa you can work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time in holidays. At the 2026 minimum wage of £12.71 an hour for ages 21 and above, that is roughly £254 a week in term and £508 in holidays.
As a full-time master's student in the UK, how many hours can I work and what can I earn?
→On a UK full-time master's, you can typically work up to 20 hours per week in term time and full-time during holidays. At GBP 12.71 per hour for age 21 and over, that is about GBP 254 weekly in term, before tax. No fixed 40-hour holiday cap applies.
How many hours can I work part-time as a student in Australia compared with the USA and UK?
→Australia lets international students work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. In the USA, students can usually work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term, and the UK also usually allows up to 20 hours per week during term, subject to visa rules.
How much can I earn per month working 20 hours a week at the minimum wage in the UK, and how does that compare to average living costs in London and elsewhere?
→Working 20 hours a week at 12.71 pounds an hour, the current UK minimum wage for those 21 and over, earns roughly 1,100 pounds a month before tax. This covers about 60 to 85 percent of London costs, but closer to 100 percent in cheaper UK cities.
What tips will help me land a good part-time job in the UK?
→Choose part-time roles that align with your degree or future career rather than picking anything available, and start searching as soon as you arrive in the UK rather than waiting. Build genuine connections in your industry through networking, since many good openings come through people, not public listings.
All Questions (59)
Is part-time work allowed while studying, and how does it help manage living costs in UK/New Zealand?
→Is it easy for Indian students to find part-time jobs abroad and how can I find one in UK/Ireland?
→Do international students get internship opportunities and part-time work options during their studies abroad in UK/Netherlands?
→Is learning the local language necessary to get a part-time job in Malaysia, and how is student life there overall?
→Can I study in a budget-friendly country where I can do part-time work to support my living expenses in UK/Australia?
→After reaching the destination country, will I be able to get a part-time job and how good are the job opportunities there in UK for a Master's?
→After getting admission in the university abroad, can I manage to pay my own university fees and expenses without burdening my family in UK/Germany?
→After landing in the UK, will there be guidance for safety, part-time jobs, and living arrangements?
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