Can I work on a UK Student visa?

Yes. Most Student visa holders can work part-time during term (up to 20 hours per week for degree-level students) and full-time during vacations. There are some restrictions on the type of work you can do.

What jobs can I NOT do on a Student visa?

You cannot be self-employed, run a business, work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or take a full-time permanent position during term time.

Can I work after my course finishes but before my visa expires?

Yes. If your course has ended but your Student visa is still valid, you can work full-time until the visa expires. Many students use this period to look for graduate jobs or apply for the Graduate route.

What happens to my work rights if I switch visas?

Your work rights change based on the new visa. The Graduate route gives unrestricted work rights for 2 years (3 for PhD). A Skilled Worker visa ties you to a specific employer and role. Section 3C leave maintains your Student visa work rights while the switch is being processed.

Student Visa Work Rights 2026

Student visa holders in the UK can work within set limits. The rules depend on your course level, whether you are in term time or on vacation, and the type of work. Breaching these conditions can have serious consequences. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of your work rights.

Term-Time Work Limits

Your Student visa BRP states your working hour limit. During term time:

Degree level or above: Up to 20 hours per week
Below degree level: Up to 10 hours per week

The 20-hour limit is strictly per week, not an average. See our part-time work guide for detailed rules on how hours are counted.

Vacation Work

During official vacation periods set by your institution, you can work full-time without any hour limit. This includes Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays. The vacation dates must be the ones officially published by your institution.

Permitted Work Types

Paid employment (any sector, within hour limits)
Voluntary work (does not count towards hour limits)
Work placements as part of your course (see placement year guide)
Student union roles (including sabbatical officer positions)

Prohibited Work

Self-employment, freelancing, or running a business
Professional sportsperson or sports coach
Full-time permanent employment during term time
Entertainer (in a professional capacity)

Post-Study Work Options

After completing your course, you have several routes to continue working in the UK:

Graduate route: 2 years (3 for PhD) of unrestricted work rights. No sponsor needed. See our Graduate route guide.
Skilled Worker visa: If an employer sponsors you. Leads to settlement after 5 years. See our Skilled Worker guide.
Global Talent visa: For outstanding researchers and innovators. See our Global Talent guide.

For detailed advice on transitioning from study to work, see our switching guide.

Employer Right-to-Work Checks

UK employers are legally required to check your right to work before hiring you. They will need to see your BRP or digital visa status and confirm your work conditions. Keep your BRP with you and know your term dates.

Employers who fail to check face significant fines. This means legitimate employers will always ask — if an employer does not check, be cautious. For more on right-to-work checks, see GOV.UK's guidance for employers.

Consequences of Breaching Work Conditions

Working beyond your permitted hours or in prohibited types of work is a breach of your visa conditions. This can lead to:

Visa curtailment (your visa is shortened)
Future visa refusals (your breach is recorded)
Impact on ILR applications (good character requirement)

Next Steps

Related guides: