International Student Team

Working during and after your studies

The UK Border Agency sets the conditions on working during term-time, in vacations and after you complete your studies.

During your studies

Unless you are undertaking the Diploma in Economics, the Certificate in Theological Studies or the Certificate in Theology for Ministry the UKBA limits you to 20 hours per week during term-time. For these named courses, the UKBA limits you to 10 hours per week during term-time. However, the University imposes greater work restrictions. You must abide by the University regulations.

Graduate students:

  • undertaking a course of less than twelve months cannot work during term-time;
  • undertaking a course of more than twelve months may work up to a maximum of ten hours per week but only:
    • on the approval of your supervisor and College tutor;
    • where the work relates to your studies or career progression;
    • if the work occurs within a department or College. The work cannot take place outside the University or College.
    Often the work is limited to six hours per week. This is because some grant-awarding bodies only allow a maximum of six hours per week.

Full detail is available on the Student Registry web pages:

Undergraduate students are expected not to work during term-time.

Visiting students must obtain agreement from their host department to work. The host department sets the amount of work permitted.

After your studies

Once you have completed your course and your visa remains valid, the UKBA allows you to work full-time, within the following limits.

  • You cannot fill a full-time permanent vacancy (other than on a recognised Foundation Programme);
  • You cannot be self-employed;
  • You cannot be employed as a doctor in training (except on a recognised Foundation Programme) or as a professional sportsperson, coach or entertainer.

Graduate students note, completing your course means receiving the outcome of the approval process.

However, if you complete your course early (that is, you complete earlier than the course end date stated in your CAS), we must inform the UKBA. This office e-mails you if we inform the UKBA you have completed early. The UKBA now limits your permission to stay, normally allowing you 60 days to vary your leave, change Sponsor or leave the UK. The UKBA will inform you by letter, usually sent via this office. See UKBA web pages:

Therefore, do not assume you can remain to work in the UK if you finish early.

We cannot offer individual case-specific advice regarding working in the UK after studies. However, you may wish to review information available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs: