University life in the UK is expensive. Between tuition fees, rent, food, travel, and the occasional night out, the numbers rarely add up without some kind of extra income. 56% of UK university students are now engaged in part-time employment during term time – and that figure has risen sharply in recent years as the cost of living has climbed.
But working while studying is not just about the money. A part-time job during your studies builds real skills, adds credibility to your CV, and gives you a genuine taste of professional life before you graduate. The students who leave university with both a degree and two or three years of consistent part-time work experience are measurably better positioned in the job market than those who studied in isolation.
The catch, of course, is balance. Work too many hours, take the wrong kind of job, or ignore your visa conditions, and the experience stops being a benefit and starts becoming a problem. This guide covers everything UK students need to know – how many hours to work, which jobs are worth your time, what you earn and how tax works, and how to make sure your job enhances your studies rather than undermining them.
Why Working Part-Time as a UK Student Is Worth It
Let’s start with the honest case for working while you study – not just the financial argument, but the full picture.
The positives for full-time students undertaking part-time work include the development of transferable skills such as team working and time management. These are not abstract benefits. They are the exact skills that appear on every UK employer’s hiring criteria, and they are significantly more convincing when backed by real work experience rather than just listed on a CV.
International research shows that teenagers and young adults who work part-time alongside their full-time studies can expect to do better when they enter the labour force. Studies suggest strongly that part-time work can help students to build technical and soft skills, develop social networks of value, and enhance confidence in career planning.
There is also a straightforward financial reality. Beyond covering costs – think £800-£1,500 per month in typical UK living expenses – part-time work reduces reliance on student loans, overdrafts, and family support, giving you more financial flexibility throughout your degree.
And here is something that surprises many students: a study published by the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that students working fewer than 15 hours a week often perform as well, if not better, than their non-working peers. The discipline and structure that comes with having a job can sharpen your focus during study time rather than reducing it.
How Many Hours Should a Student Work Part-Time?
This is the question that matters most – and the answer is more nuanced than a single number.
The Legal Position for International Students
If you are in the UK on a Student visa, your working hours are not just a suggestion – they are a legal condition of your visa. Students with a full-time study visa who are 16 or older can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. This applies to both paid and unpaid roles and counts across all employers combined – so if you hold two part-time jobs, the total hours across both cannot exceed 20.
The 20-hour limit applies during the term, regardless of whether you have classes on a particular day or not. A light week of lectures does not give you licence to work more. During official university holidays, international students can work full-time – typically up to 40 hours per week.
The consequences of exceeding your permitted hours are serious. Exceeding hours risks visa cancellation, fines, or deportation. Keep a record of your hours every week and never assume – if you are uncertain about your specific visa conditions, contact your university’s international student support office or check with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) directly.
For foundation and below-degree level courses, the limit is typically 10 hours per week during term time. English language course students are allowed to work full-time outside of term time, including the period before and after your course begins and ends, as long as your student visa is still valid.
For PhD students, the rules are slightly different. PhD students can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time, though depending on the university’s regulations they might be restricted to 10 hours per week in cases where they are required to focus more on research and academic commitments. Postgraduate research students are considered to be “in term time” throughout the year, so the holiday exemption does not automatically apply without written permission from your supervisor.
The Practical Recommendation for Domestic Students
For domestic UK students, there is no legal cap on hours – but that does not mean you should work as many as possible. UCAS guidelines suggest that you should not exceed 15 hours of work per week, with universities noting that burnout is real and that poorer cognitive function will reflect badly on your academic performance.
Studies suggest steady patterns of employment of less than 10-20 hours per week are mostly beneficial for most students. The sweet spot for domestic students based on research and guidance is typically 10-15 hours per week during term time, with full-time or near-full-time hours perfectly manageable during the summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays.
What the Research Actually Says About Hours and Grades
The evidence on part-time work and academic performance is not the simple cautionary tale you might expect. Research shows that paid employment did not have a large effect on grades overall, and that some paid employment actually improves grades slightly. However, working more than 20-22 hours per week has a clear negative effect.
Studies have found minimal negative effects for 0-9 hours of part-time work per week, while longer hours can lead to greater negative effects on academic performance. The impacts of work on academic performance are mainly determined by working hours rather than the act of working itself.
The type of work also matters enormously. Jobs tied to career goals or offering skill development can be neutral or even beneficial for academic outcomes, while low-quality, high-time jobs driven purely by financial need tend to have the most negative impact. A student working 12 hours a week as a research assistant or student ambassador is in a very different position academically than one working 20 hours in a high-pressure, shift-based role with irregular hours.
The practical guidance this points to is clear: keep hours at or below 15 during term time, choose work that is at least somewhat aligned with your interests or career direction, and treat exam season and deadline periods as times to reduce or temporarily pause your shifts.
Working Hours at a Glance
| Student Type | Term-Time Limit | Holiday Limit |
|---|---|---|
| International student (degree level) | 20 hours/week | Full-time (40 hours) |
| International student (below degree) | 10 hours/week | Full-time |
| International PhD student | 20 hours/week (sometimes 10) | Full-time with supervisor permission |
| Domestic UK student | No legal limit (UCAS recommends max 15 hours) | No limit |
| Part-time students (any type) | Generally not permitted to work | Check visa conditions |
How Much Will You Earn? Pay Rates and Tax Explained
Minimum Wage Rates for Students
The UK operates a tiered minimum wage system. As of April 2025, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over stands at the highest rate, whilst younger workers receive age-specific minimum wages.
The rates from April 2025 are:
- Aged 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.21 per hour
- Aged 18-20: £10.00 per hour
- Aged 16-17: £7.55 per hour
- Apprentices (under 19, or first year of apprenticeship): £6.40 per hour
For context, working the maximum 20 hours per week at the National Living Wage rate would gross approximately £915 per month before tax and National Insurance contributions. For students aged 18-20 working 15 hours per week, that works out to around £600 per month – a meaningful contribution to living costs.
Many employers in cities, especially London, pay above minimum wage. Hospitality roles in tourist-heavy areas frequently offer tips on top of hourly pay. On-campus roles often match or exceed national rates with the added advantage of flexibility.
Tax – What You Actually Need to Know
For the 2025-26 tax year, you will not pay income tax on earnings below £12,570 annually. Given that 20 hours per week at minimum wage generates approximately £11,000 annually, many student workers legitimately owe no income tax whatsoever.
The complication arises with how your employer processes your tax. Employers must operate PAYE (Pay As You Earn) based on the assumption that your part-time job represents your total annual income. If you start mid-tax year, have not provided a P45 from previous employment, or your employer does not have complete information, you might be placed on an emergency tax code that deducts too much from your wages.
If this happens, do not panic – you can reclaim overpaid tax from HMRC. Keep a record of your payslips and check your tax code. The standard code for most student workers starting their first UK job is 1257L. If yours shows BR or 0T, contact HMRC to get this corrected.
National Insurance
You start paying National Insurance once your weekly earnings exceed £242, or £1,048 per month. Given that most student roles involve working 10-20 hours per week, you would need to earn more than £12.10 per hour consistently to hit this threshold. Most student workers will see minimal or no NI deductions during term time.
One reassuring point: National Insurance contributions count towards your future State Pension and other benefits, so you are essentially investing in your long-term financial security while earning money to survive university.
Getting a National Insurance Number
You cannot legally be paid in the UK without a National Insurance (NI) number. You can only apply for one after you have arrived in the UK and have proof of your right to work – such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or digital visa share code. Apply as soon as you arrive if you intend to work. Your employer can take you on while your NI number application is pending, but you will need to provide it as soon as it arrives.
The Best Part-Time Jobs for UK Students in 2026
Not all part-time jobs are created equal. The best ones for students are flexible around your timetable, pay fairly, and ideally add something to your CV beyond simply evidence that you showed up.
On-Campus Roles – The Gold Standard
Working on campus is one of the best part-time options for students because it is flexible, convenient, and designed to fit around your studies. Typical roles include:
Student Ambassador – representing your university at open days, applicant visit days, and events. These roles pay well, look excellent on a CV, and often involve mentoring prospective students – a genuine leadership experience.
Library Assistant – ideal for those who value a quieter working environment. Often involves shift work that can be fitted around lectures, and the setting is naturally conducive to studying in downtime.
University Café, Bar, or Shop – flexible shift patterns, often managed sympathetically around exam periods. Many Students’ Unions actively manage these and prioritise student-friendly scheduling.
Peer Tutor – if you are strong in your subject, many universities pay current students to run study sessions for first-years. This pays well, reinforces your own understanding, and is one of the most CV-worthy jobs you can hold as a student.
Research Assistant – some departments offer paid positions helping academic staff with research projects. These are competitive but incredibly valuable, particularly if you are considering postgraduate study or a research career.
Check your university’s Job Shop or Jobs Portal – many universities have dedicated platforms listing on-campus vacancies that you can access with your student login.
Hospitality and Retail – Flexible and Widely Available
Hospitality roles such as barista, waiter, and bartender offer high-paced environments, tips that provide supplementary income, and frequent customer interaction that develops communication and language skills. These roles are almost universally flexible around evening and weekend availability, which fits well around daytime lectures.
Retail roles at chains like Primark, Tesco, or independent shops tend to be lower intensity than restaurant service, and the customer service skills gained are highly transferable.
Both sectors hire heavily in October and November for the Christmas period – a reliable source of higher-hours work during the holidays when you can legally work full-time.
Event Staffing
Event staffing through agencies operates on a shift-selection model for sporting events, concerts, and conferences. There is no fixed schedule required. This suits students with highly variable university timetables who need maximum flexibility. Rates can be good, particularly for events in large cities. Register with one or two reputable staffing agencies at the start of term and pick up shifts as your schedule allows.
Tutoring
Private tutoring is one of the most lucrative options available to university students who did well at A-level. Rates typically range from £15-£30 per hour depending on subject and location, and the work is entirely flexible. GCSE and A-level tutoring in maths, sciences, and English is consistently in demand from parents across the UK.
Platforms like MyTutor, Tutorful, and Superprof make it straightforward to set up a profile and begin taking bookings. This is also an excellent option for international students who want to work in a way that builds their professional English proficiency.
Graduate Scheme Entry Roles
Some students use part-time work strategically – targeting junior roles at companies they want to work for after graduation. A part-time role in a marketing agency, a law firm’s admin team, or a tech company’s support function can lead directly to a graduate scheme offer if you perform well. This is worth considering if you have a clear career direction.
Part-Time Work Tips for UK Students: Making It Work
1. Talk to Your University Before You Start
Your university’s Careers Service is a resource you are already paying for through your tuition fees – use it. Careers services offer tailored CV and application advice, help you adapt your CV to the British format, and connect you directly with employers who offer roles suited to student schedules. Many universities also run Job Shops or Placement Offices that vet opportunities for student-friendliness.
For international students, also contact the International Student Support team to confirm exactly what your visa permits before you accept any job offer. The rules are clear, but the specifics of your situation – your course level, your university’s term dates, your visa endorsement – all affect what is and is not permitted.
2. Choose Work That Fits Around Lectures, Not the Other Way Around
Your academic timetable should be built first. Then your job fits around it. If a role requires you to miss lectures regularly, turn it down – no part-time job is worth compromising your degree. It is important to get a job with flexible hours that fit around your study schedule and lectures, given that you are paying to be there.
Roles with shift-based or rota-based scheduling – hospitality, retail, event staffing – are generally more accommodating than fixed-hours roles when it comes to accommodating changing timetables. When you apply, be upfront about your availability and the fact that it may vary each term.
3. Be Strategic About Which Job You Take
Choose roles that align with your degree or future career wherever possible – they offer both the financial benefit and the professional development that purely financial roles do not. A law student who works in a legal admin role, a journalism student who works for a local newspaper, or an engineering student who takes a technician assistant role is building something far more valuable than minimum wage plus tips.
If career-aligned work is not available, prioritise flexibility and then skill development. A customer-facing role that builds communication and problem-solving skills is always more valuable than one that involves no human interaction.
4. Track Your Hours Carefully – Especially If You Are On a Student Visa
International students can have multiple part-time jobs, but the total working hours across all employers must not exceed the weekly limit of 20 hours during term time. This is your responsibility to manage, not your employer’s. Use a simple spreadsheet, notes app, or weekly planner to track hours worked each week. The consequences of an accidental breach are serious.
Keep copies of your payslips and contracts. Your employer is legally required to check your right to work and your term dates before you begin, so be prepared to provide your university term dates and a status letter from your institution.
5. Reduce Your Hours During Deadlines and Exams
Your studies should be a priority, especially when it comes to exam season and writing up your assignments. This is not a weakness – it is good planning. When you start a job, have a transparent conversation with your manager about exam periods and assignment deadlines. Most student-friendly employers – especially on-campus roles and those who regularly hire students – will accommodate reduced availability during these times.
If you find yourself regularly missing study time to cover shifts, that is a signal to cut your hours. A degree classification matters far more in the long term than the extra shifts you picked up in third year.
6. Understand What You Are and Are Not Allowed to Do
For international students specifically, certain types of work are off-limits regardless of hours. UK immigration rules restrict students from being self-employed or freelance, working as professional athletes or coaches, holding permanent full-time roles during term time, or running or managing a business.
This matters in an era of gig economy work. Platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats classify their riders and drivers as self-employed workers – meaning this work is not permitted for international students on a Student visa. Make sure you are hired as an employee on a payroll, not as a freelancer or contractor, even for online work such as data entry, translation, or content moderation.
Students with Tier 4 visas are allowed to volunteer in the UK, but the hours will count towards the weekly quota. Even unpaid work counts toward your 20-hour limit if it is work rather than a hobby or social activity.
7. Sort Your National Insurance Number Early
Apply for your National Insurance number as soon as you arrive in the UK. Without it, some employers will delay your start date or place you on an emergency tax code. The process takes a few weeks, so starting early avoids any gap between finding a job and being able to begin.
8. Use Your Job to Build Your CV Deliberately
Every shift you work is an opportunity to build evidence of transferable skills. Keep a running note of achievements, responsibilities, and moments where you went above and beyond. Did you train a new colleague? Did you handle a difficult customer situation? Did you take on extra responsibility during a busy period? These become the specific examples that bring your CV to life and power strong interview answers.
Part-time work builds transferable skills including team working and time management – but only if you are paying attention to what you are learning, not just turning up.
9. Do Not Overlook Holiday Periods
University holidays are when the financial and experiential opportunity of part-time work really opens up. During the summer, Christmas, and Easter breaks, there are no legal restrictions for domestic students and significantly relaxed limits for international students (who can generally work full-time during official university vacation periods).
Many companies actively recruit for seasonal roles in these periods – including major retailers for the Christmas rush, festivals and events in summer, and accommodation and tourism businesses over Easter. These seasonal stints can pay well and, crucially, they do not compete with your academic commitments at all.
10. Know When to Ask For Help
If your job is causing you genuine stress, affecting your sleep, or consistently eating into study time, it is worth reassessing. Most universities have Student Wellbeing services that can help you manage the work-study balance, explore bursary options that might reduce your need to work, and connect you with financial support services you may not know about. There is no award for struggling in silence.
Common Mistakes UK Students Make With Part-Time Work
Ignoring visa rules until something goes wrong. For international students, exceeding working hour limits is a serious breach that can result in visa cancellation. Always check your conditions before starting any role.
Accepting inflexible shift patterns. If an employer cannot work around your lecture timetable from the start, they are unlikely to be more flexible during exam season. Prioritise jobs that can adapt to your academic schedule.
Taking any job just for the money. A role that pays slightly more but has nothing to offer your CV and runs completely against your future career direction is always a poorer long-term choice than one that pays slightly less but builds something you can use.
Not telling your employer you are a student. Employers who regularly hire students expect and accommodate exam periods, timetable changes, and end-of-year constraints. Being upfront from day one protects your working relationship and your wellbeing.
Working too many hours and burning out mid-year. Juggling work and studying leads to stress, burnout, and sometimes lower grades when not balanced carefully. The research is clear: moderate hours have a neutral or positive effect on grades. High hours have a measurably negative one. Protect your degree.
Forgetting about tax. Many students overpay tax because of incorrect codes or multiple jobs. Keep your payslips, know your personal allowance (£12,570 for 2025-26), and contact HMRC if you think you have overpaid. Reclaiming it is straightforward but requires action.
Your 30-Day Action Plan for Finding and Starting a Part-Time Job
Week 1: Research and Register Visit your university’s Careers Service and Job Shop. Register on your student jobs portal. Check what on-campus roles are currently available. If you are an international student, confirm your working hours allowance with the international office and note your term dates.
Week 2: Prepare and Apply Update your CV using your university’s CV guidance (British format, relevant skills highlighted, honest and specific examples). Apply for two or three roles that genuinely interest you – not every listing you can find. Quality over quantity.
Week 3: Interview and Choose Carefully If you receive offers, prioritise flexibility over pay rate. Ask specifically about exam period policy before accepting. Confirm the role is PAYE employment and not self-employed – especially important for international students.
Week 4: Start Well and Set Boundaries On starting, be clear about your academic commitments and the periods when your availability reduces. Apply for your National Insurance number if you have not already. Set up a simple system for tracking your weekly hours and keep your payslips from the first day.
Browse Retail & Sales jobs on UKJobsAlert, Hospitality & Catering vacancies, and Part-Time opportunities across all sectors to find student-friendly roles near your university.
5. FAQs
Q: How many hours can a student work part-time in the UK?
A: For international students on a UK Student visa studying at degree level, the legal limit is 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays. For domestic UK students, there is no legal cap, but UCAS guidelines recommend not exceeding 15 hours per week during term time to protect academic performance. PhD students are generally limited to 20 hours per week, though some universities restrict this to 10 hours depending on research commitments. Students on below-degree or foundation courses are typically limited to 10 hours per week.
Q: Does working part-time affect your grades as a UK student?
A: The research is nuanced. Working fewer than 15-20 hours per week has minimal negative impact and in some cases slightly improves academic performance, as the structure and responsibility of work encourages better time management. Working more than 20-22 hours per week consistently shows a measurable negative effect on grades and increases stress and burnout risk. The type of job also matters – work related to your subject or career goals tends to have a neutral or positive effect on academics, while demanding, poorly scheduled jobs in unrelated fields tend to be most disruptive.
Q: What is the minimum wage for student workers in the UK in 2025?
A: From April 2025, the National Living Wage is £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. Those aged 18-20 receive £10.00 per hour, those aged 16-17 receive £7.55 per hour, and apprentices under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship receive £6.40 per hour. These rates apply regardless of your student status – you are legally entitled to at least these amounts. Many employers in cities pay above these rates, especially in London.
Q: Do students have to pay tax on part-time earnings in the UK?
A: Most part-time student workers will not pay income tax, since the Personal Allowance for 2025-26 is £12,570 per year and 20 hours per week at minimum wage generates roughly £11,000 annually – below that threshold. However, your employer may initially place you on an emergency tax code that deducts more than necessary. Check your tax code on your payslip – the standard code is 1257L – and contact HMRC if you think you are being overtaxed. National Insurance contributions may apply if your weekly earnings exceed £242.
Q: Can international students work full-time during university holidays?
A: Yes. International students on a UK Student visa studying at degree level can work full-time during official university vacation periods – typically the Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks. This does not apply during term time, even if you personally have few scheduled classes that week. Some postgraduate research students are considered to be in term time year-round and need written supervisor permission to work full-time during any period. Always confirm your specific vacation dates with your university as they vary by institution.
Q: What jobs are best for students at UK universities?
A: The best part-time jobs for UK students combine flexibility with skill development. On-campus roles – student ambassador, library assistant, peer tutor, or Students’ Union café and bar staff – are typically the most flexible and student-sympathetic. Hospitality and retail offer widely available evening and weekend shifts. Private tutoring pays well and is highly flexible. Event staffing through agencies suits students who need maximum scheduling control. The best choice is a role that genuinely fits around your timetable and, where possible, builds skills relevant to your future career.
Q: Can international students do delivery or gig economy work in the UK?
A: No. Gig economy platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and similar services typically classify their workers as self-employed – and self-employment is not permitted under a UK Student visa. This applies regardless of how many hours are involved. International students must be employed as PAYE workers by a legitimate employer. Online work such as data entry, translation, or content moderation is permissible if you are hired on an employment contract rather than as a freelancer.
Q: What should I do if my employer is not paying me correctly?
A: Start by checking your payslip and contract carefully. If you believe you are being underpaid relative to the National Minimum Wage, contact ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for free guidance at acas.org.uk. You can also report a minimum wage violation to HMRC. Since 7 April 2026, the Fair Work Agency can investigate and take enforcement action on your behalf. Keep copies of all payslips and record your working hours from your first shift.
Q: How do I find part-time jobs near my UK university?
A: Start with your university’s Careers Service and Job Shop – these list vetted, student-friendly vacancies and many on-campus roles not advertised elsewhere. Your Students’ Union often employs student staff directly. For off-campus work, job boards including UKJobsAlert, Indeed, and StudentJob UK list part-time and flexible roles searchable by location. Registering with a local hospitality or events staffing agency is one of the quickest ways to start earning, particularly in larger cities.