Working in the UK
Many international students work part-time during their studies. Working can help you improve your finances and CV, gain new skills and meet new people.
Am I entitled to work in the UK?
Your right to work in the UK depends on whether you are a student from:
- the European Economic Area (EEA) *
- one of the so called "A2 Accession States" (Bulgaria and Romania)
- neither of these
If you are a student from the EEA you are free to work and do not require permission to accept a job which is offered to you. If you fall under the other categories, familiarise yourself with the legislation regarding your right to work in the UK before you continue.
* Update for students from A8 Accession states, May 2011
This information is for students from the A8 Accession States (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia).
As of 1 May 2011 the Worker Registration Scheme for people from the A8 accession states has closed. Therefore, students from the A8 accession states are free to work and do not require permission to accept a job which is offered to them.
For confirmation of this, see the UK Border Agency website.
More information on your rights to work
Students on a Tier 4 visa
Information on rights to work for students from outside the EEA holding a student/Tier 4 visa.
Students from A2 accession states
Information on rights to work for students from the A2 accession states (Romania and Bulgaria).
Established your right to work?
Once you have established your right to work, the university can help you find employment. The International Student Advice Service (ISAS) works closely with the Guidance & Employability Team (GET), the student employability service for the university.
GET services for international students
Guidance & Employability Team (GET) services to international students
The Guidance & Employability Team (GET) services for international students include the JobShop ( the student employment service for the university), careers advice, volunteering & mentoring opportunities and the latest jobs, employment advice & events.
