1. Work Rights and Limitations for UK Student Visa Holders
Many international students choose to gain work experience in the UK while completing their studies, whether through part-time jobs, internships, or voluntary roles. However, those holding visas under Appendix Student or Appendix Child Student must follow strict Home Office rules that limit how and when they can work. These rules include maximum working hours and clear bans on certain types of employment. This guide explains the work activities that are allowed and those that are not, so Student Visa holders can avoid breaches and remain fully compliant with UK immigration law.
2. UK Student Visa Routes and Associated Work Permissions
The UK offers several visa routes for international students, and each comes with its own rules on employment. Understanding which Student Visa route applies to you is essential, as work permissions can vary depending on the category of leave you hold. These differences affect the type of work you may undertake and the conditions attached to it. Below is a concise overview of the student visa routes covered in this guide, along with their respective work entitlements.
Student Visa
This visa category is designed for individuals aged 16 and above who intend to pursue further or higher education in the UK, including studies at a recognised college or university. It also covers students enrolling in approved pre-sessional English language courses or recognised foundation programmes. In addition, holders of this visa may take up elected roles such as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to our full guide on the UK Student Visa route.
Child Student Visa
This visa route is intended for children aged 4 to 17 who plan to study at a private or independent school in the UK that holds a Home Office student sponsor licence. Applicants must be enrolled with an approved education provider. For more detailed information, please refer to our dedicated guide on the UK Child Student Visa.
Short-Term Student Visa (English Language)
This visa category is available to individuals aged 16 and over who wish to undertake an English language course in the UK lasting between 6 and 11 months. The course must be delivered by an accredited institution, which may be a recognised UK provider or an eligible overseas institution where the UK study forms part of a broader overseas programme. For further details, see our guide to the Short-Term Student Visa.
Study Visit Visa
This visa option is suitable for individuals who intend to travel to the UK for short-term study, an elective connected to an existing course, or a research placement lasting up to six months. It forms part of the Standard Visitor visa category and is subject to its conditions.
Graduate Visa
The Graduate Visa is a post-study immigration route that allows international students who have completed an eligible UK qualification to stay in the UK after graduation. Visa holders can remain for up to two years, or three years for PhD and other doctoral graduates, during which they may work or look for employment at any skill level.
3. Employment Rights for Students Aged 18 and Over on a UK Student Visa
Student Visa holders aged 18 or above may be allowed to work during their studies and in vacation periods, depending on the conditions attached to their leave. That said, work rights are not automatic, and some students are not permitted to work at all while studying in the UK. It is therefore crucial to comply strictly with any hour limits and employment conditions to avoid breaching visa rules.
What a student is permitted to do, and how many hours they may work, depends on several factors. These include the type of education provider sponsoring the visa, whether the sponsor holds a proven record of compliance with the Home Office, the academic level of the course, and whether the course is studied on a full-time or part-time basis.
4. Types of Educational Institutions Eligible to Sponsor Students
Several types of educational institutions in the UK are authorised to sponsor international students. These include:
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Higher education institutions (e.g., universities)
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Overseas higher education institutions
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Independent schools
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Private providers
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Publicly funded colleges
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Embedded colleges offering pathway programmes
Students can verify whether an institution holds a valid Student Sponsor Licence by consulting the Register of Student Sponsors. This register also indicates whether a sponsor has a “track record of compliance,” a Home Office designation showing that the institution has consistently met its sponsorship obligations. Institutions with this status are listed as “Student Sponsor – Track Record” under the ‘Status’ column in the register.
5. Permitted Work for Students on Full-Time and Part-Time Courses
Full-Time Courses at Degree Level or Above
Students enrolled in a full-time degree-level course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, or those on a short-term study abroad programme with an overseas higher education institution, may work up to 20 hours per week during term-time in part-time roles. Outside term-time and before the course begins, they are allowed to work full-time.
Additionally, full-time students may work full-time for up to 2 years in elected positions such as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer or other recognised National Union of Students (NUS) roles, provided their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was issued for this purpose.
If a student’s full-time course is not at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, or the study-abroad programme is not with an eligible overseas institution, they may still undertake a work placement as part of their course (if their sponsor has Student Sponsor status) or work as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to 2 years.
Full-Time Courses Below Degree Level
Students on full-time courses below degree level at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance may work up to 10 hours per week during term-time. Before the course begins and during vacation periods, they may work full-time.
They are also permitted to undertake course-related work placements and hold elected positions such as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer, as outlined above.
Part-Time Courses
Students enrolled in part-time courses are not allowed to undertake employment, including work placements.
6. Work Placements for Full-Time Students
Under Appendix Student, full-time students may undertake work placements if the placement forms part of a course that leads to an approved qualification. For courses below degree level, the student’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) must be issued by a sponsor who is not a probationary sponsor. Students can verify this on the Register of Student Sponsors, where probationary sponsors are marked as “Probationary Sponsor” under the ‘Status’ column.
The work placement must be an assessed component of the course and generally cannot exceed one-third of the total course duration, unless a statutory requirement dictates otherwise.
For courses at degree level or above, work placements may extend to up to half of the total course length, provided the studies are at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, an overseas higher education institution offering a UK study programme, or a programme recognised at UK bachelor’s degree level or higher as part of a study abroad course.
It is important to note that during any work placement, the educational institution that issued the CAS remains responsible for the student.
7. Volunteering and Voluntary Work for Student Visa Holders
Students, including Child Student visa holders, are allowed to volunteer while studying in the UK. However, it is important to distinguish between volunteering and voluntary work, as not all students are permitted to undertake voluntary work. Students must determine which activity they are engaging in to remain compliant with visa conditions.
According to Home Office guidance, voluntary work typically involves contractual obligations where the worker is expected to perform certain tasks, and the provider may be required to offer the role (a written contract is not always necessary). Voluntary workers often receive remuneration in kind.
In contrast, volunteering does not involve a contract, does not replace paid employees, and is generally unpaid (though reimbursement for reasonable expenses such as travel or meals may be allowed). Volunteers usually support charities or public sector organisations rather than private businesses.
Students may undertake voluntary work only if they are permitted to work, and the total hours of voluntary work cannot exceed the student’s allowed working hours during term-time. Both paid employment and voluntary work count towards this limit. For example, a student allowed to work 20 hours per week who already has 15 hours of paid work may only do 5 hours of voluntary work. Students who are not allowed to work are also not permitted to do voluntary work.
8. Prohibited Work for Student Visa Holders
While Student Visa holders can undertake many types of work, certain activities are explicitly prohibited under Paragraph ST 26.5 of Appendix Student. Students are not allowed to:
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Take up a position that fills a permanent full-time vacancy, unless Exception 1 applies (see below).
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Be self-employed or run a business, unless Exception 2 applies (see below).
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Work as an entertainer.
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Work as a professional sportsperson or coach, although participation in amateur sport is permitted.
The term “entertainer” is not formally defined in the Immigration Rules, but it generally includes roles such as professional acting or musical performances.
There are two exceptions that allow certain students to take up full-time permanent positions or engage in self-employment and business activities, which are explained in the following section.
9. Exception 1: Working in a Permanent Full-Time Position
Students are generally prohibited from taking permanent full-time roles, but exceptions exist in certain circumstances:
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The student is enrolled in a full-time degree-level (or higher) course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
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The student has applied to remain in the UK under the Skilled Worker or Graduate route while still on a Student Visa.
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No decision has been made on the application, or, in the case of refusal, any Administrative Review has not yet been determined.
Under these conditions:
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Students who have applied for the Skilled Worker route may start a full-time permanent position up to three months before completing their course.
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Students applying under the Graduate route may begin employment immediately after successfully completing their course.
Additionally, students are allowed to take up a full-time permanent post if they are serving as an elected Student Union Sabbatical Officer.
10. Exception 2: Self-Employment and Business Activity
Students are generally prohibited from being self-employed or engaging in business activities, as set out in Paragraph ST 26.5(a) of Appendix Student. However, an exception exists under Paragraph ST 26.8, which allows limited cases of self-employment while a Student Visa is held.
A student may be self-employed if all of the following conditions are met:
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The student has applied to remain in the UK under the Innovator Founder route.
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The application is endorsed by an authorised Innovator Founder endorsing body.
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The application was submitted while the applicant still held Student Visa permission.
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No decision has been made on the application, or in the event of a refusal, any Administrative Review has not been fully determined.
For clarity, the Home Office defines business activity as situations where a student works for a business in which they have a financial or other significant beneficial interest, in a role other than as a standard employee.
11. Working in Sport on a UK Student Visa
Students, including Child Student visa holders, are not permitted to engage in professional sport or coaching while on a Student Visa. However, they may participate in amateur sport, which the Immigration Rules define as activities undertaken solely for personal enjoyment, without the intention of earning a living from them.
The Home Office outlines circumstances that may classify a student as participating in professional sport, including:
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Playing or coaching at a professional or semi-professional level.
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Receiving payment or payment in kind that covers all or most of the costs of living in or travelling to the UK.
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Being registered with a professional or semi-professional sports team, including academy and development teams.
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Representing a national or regional team within the last two years, including youth and development squads from under-17s upward.
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Having an established international reputation in their sport.
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Engaging an agent or representative to secure opportunities or develop a current or future career in sport.
The Home Office recognises that students may receive sports scholarships to support their studies. These scholarships are allowed only if:
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The student is enrolled in a degree-level or higher course at a higher education provider.
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The scholarship involves playing or coaching at an amateur level for their Student sponsor or through British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
If these conditions are not met, participation in the scholarship may be considered professional sport, which is prohibited for Student Visa holders.
12. Working Rules for Child Students on a UK Student Visa
The Appendix Child Student sets out the work conditions for students under 18 (Paragraphs CS 16.1 and CS 16.2).
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Under 16: Child Students below the age of 16 are not permitted to work in any capacity while in the UK.
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Aged 16 or above: Child Students may work under limited circumstances:
- During term-time, they can work up to 10 hours per week.
- During school holidays or vacation periods, there is no restriction on working hours. This also applies before and after completing their course, as long as their visa remains valid.
- Child Students aged 16 or over are also permitted to volunteer, following the same conditions outlined for other Student Visa holders.
Child Students over 16 may also undertake course-related work placements, provided:
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The placement is an assessed component of their course, and
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The duration does not exceed half of the total course length in the UK, unless a statutory requirement dictates otherwise.
During any work placement, the student sponsor remains responsible for the Child Student.
Child Students are not permitted to:
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Be self-employed or engage in business activities.
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Work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
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Work as an entertainer.
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Fill a permanent full-time position.
13. Work Restrictions for Short-Term and Study Visit Visa Holders
Students holding a Short-Term Student Visa (English Language) are not permitted to work in the UK in any capacity.
Similarly, students on a Study Visit Visa for study periods of up to six months are generally prohibited from working or receiving payment from a UK source for activities undertaken in the UK. This means they cannot:
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Undertake employment.
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Be self-employed or run a business.
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Work for a UK organisation or business.
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Participate in a work placement or internship.
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Provide or sell goods or services in the UK.
The Study Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, so the same restrictions and permitted activities that apply to Standard Visitors also apply to Study Visit visa holders. For a detailed overview, see our article “UK Visit Visa: What Activities Are Permitted?”, which explains the activities allowed and prohibited under a Visit Visa.
14. Work Rights for Graduate Visa Holders in the UK
Holders of a Graduate Visa are allowed to undertake any type of work in the UK, with no restrictions on skill level. This includes:
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Part-time or full-time employment
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Paid or unpaid work
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Self-employment and business activities
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Voluntary work
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Any other professional activity
The only limitation for Graduate Visa holders is that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach. They are, however, permitted to participate in amateur sport. For reference, see the earlier section outlining what constitutes professional sport.
How LawSentis Can Help
Navigating the complex rules around working in the UK on a Student Visa can be challenging. LawSentis provides expert guidance to ensure you understand your work rights, avoid breaches of visa conditions, and make informed decisions about employment, volunteering, or business opportunities while studying.
Our team of IAA-regulated immigration specialists can:
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Review your visa conditions and confirm what work you are permitted to undertake.
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Advise on course-related work placements, volunteering, or internships.
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Assist with applications for post-study routes such as the Graduate or Skilled Worker visas.
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Provide clear guidance on exceptions, including full-time roles, self-employment, and professional sport restrictions.
For personalised advice and support, contact LawSentis today and book a consultation to safeguard your immigration status while pursuing work opportunities in the UK.
FAQ’s:
1: Can I work while studying in the UK on a Student Visa?
Yes, but work rights depend on your age, course type, and visa category. Full-time degree students at higher education providers with a track record of compliance may work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations. Part-time students and those on certain short-term visas are not permitted to work.
2: Can Child Student visa holders work in the UK?
Child Students under 16 are not allowed to work. Those aged 16 or above can work up to 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time during school holidays. They may also volunteer and undertake course-related placements if permitted.
3: What types of work are prohibited on a Student Visa?
Student Visa holders cannot fill permanent full-time positions (except under specific exceptions), be self-employed, work as entertainers, or engage in professional sport or coaching. Certain exceptions exist for Graduate and Skilled Worker applications or for Student Union Sabbatical Officers.
4: What is the difference between volunteering and voluntary work?
Volunteering is unpaid, does not replace employees, and is typically for charities or public sector organisations. Voluntary work usually involves contractual obligations and may include remuneration in kind. Students can only do voluntary work if it falls within their allowed working hours.
5: Can I undertake a work placement as part of my course?
Yes, full-time students may undertake work placements that are an assessed part of their course. For degree-level courses, placements can last up to half the course duration; for courses below degree level, they generally cannot exceed one-third of the course, unless a statutory requirement applies.
6: Can students work in sport while on a Student Visa?
Students may participate in amateur sport but are prohibited from professional sport or coaching. Professional sport includes playing or coaching at a professional or semi-professional level, receiving payment covering most living or travel costs, or having an agent to develop a sports career.
7: Are Short-Term Student and Study Visit Visa holders allowed to work?
No. Short-Term Student Visa holders and Study Visit Visa holders are generally not permitted to work, including paid employment, self-employment, internships, or business activities. Exceptions do not typically apply for these visa categories.
8: What work rights do Graduate Visa holders have?
Graduate Visa holders may work without restrictions in the UK at any skill level. They can undertake paid or unpaid employment, self-employment, voluntary work, and business activities. The only exception is that they cannot work as professional sportspersons or coaches.
9: Can students apply for full-time permanent roles before completing their course?
Yes, but only under specific conditions: students on degree-level courses who have applied for the Skilled Worker route may start a permanent role up to three months before course completion. Those applying under the Graduate route can begin after completing their course. Students in elected Student Union positions may also work full-time.
10: How can LawSentis assist with work-related visa queries?
LawSentis provides expert guidance on Student Visa work rights, voluntary work, work placements, post-study work options, and exceptions. Our IAA-regulated team ensures you remain compliant with UK immigration rules while exploring work opportunities. Contact us to book a consultation and receive tailored advice.