Working in the UK

Term time and vacation

Term time is any period when you are doing academic work for example attendance at class, preparing for an exam, undertaking research or writing an assignment, dissertation or thesis.

It is a breach of your immigration status to work more hours than your visa permits.

Undergraduate Students

During University published vacation periods Tier 4 undergraduate students are permitted to work more than 20 hours per week providing they are not undertaking any academic work.

Masters and Level 7 courses

If you are a Postgraduate student studying a Masters programme or Level 7 course e.g. ACCA, you should check vacation dates with your Programme Leader or Personal Tutor. If you are completing academic work over vacation periods; for example, your dissertation or assignments, this is considered term time and you will be restricted to working 20 hours per week.

PhD students

Vacation time for Research students is to be agreed with a student’s Director of Studies and must be confirmed in writing with by the University. Please note vacation for PhD students is 40 days per calendar year and must be taken on public holidays and university closure. This leaves 29 days to take with agreement of your Director of Studies.

Work that you cannot do

There are certain types of work that you are not permitted to undertake, this includes:

• self-employment and business activity.
• professional sportsperson including a coach.
• entertainer.
• a permanent full-time job.
• doctor or dentist in training unless you are on the Foundation Programme.

Voluntary work

If you are undertaking voluntary work you would usually have contractual obligations, for example a set time and day that you attend and set tasks to complete. Voluntary work may include for example:

• Work undertaken in exchange for vouchers
• Work at events such as music/entertainment events where you receive free entry in exchange for work.

This type of work is included in the 10 or 20 hours per week work you are permitted to undertake.

Volunteers are not paid and do not have contractual obligations. Volunteers normally help a charity, voluntary organisation or public sector organisation. Volunteers do not substitute the work of an employee and is different from Voluntary work.

Volunteering is not included in the 10 or 20 hours per week you are permitted to undertake.

Further information about working in the UK can be found on the UKCISA website.