The answer in 60 seconds
- Most degree-level Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time outside term time.
- Your visa conditions on your eVisa or BRP are the authority — some students have a 10-hour limit or no work permission at all.
- Self-employment, freelancing and professional sport are not permitted on a Student visa.
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Key figures
Term-time limit (degree level)
20 hours per week
Outside term time
Full time, if your conditions allow
National Minimum Wage
Check the current rate on GOV.UK before accepting a job
Figures last checked 22 August 2026. Fees and thresholds change — confirm on GOV.UK before you pay anything.
What 20 hours actually means
The limit applies to a week running Monday to Sunday and is a hard cap, not an average. Two 25-hour weeks followed by two 15-hour weeks is a breach, even though the average is 20.
Paid and unpaid work both count. Volunteering for a charity is treated differently from unpaid work for a business — check before you commit.
Getting paid legally
You can start work before your National Insurance number arrives, as long as you can prove your right to work. Apply for the NI number as soon as you arrive and give it to your employer when it comes.
- Share code from your eVisa for right-to-work checks.
- UK bank account for wages.
- NI number for correct tax treatment.
Why breaches matter
Exceeding your hours is a breach of visa conditions. It can affect your current permission and any future application, including the Graduate visa. Keep your own record of hours worked — do not rely on the employer's rota.
Common mistakes
- Working two jobs and going over 20 combined hours.
- Treating the limit as a monthly average.
- Freelancing or taking self-employed gig work.
- Not checking whether your programme's 'vacation' dates match the university's official term dates.
FAQs
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