As an international student in the UK, finding a part-time job can be an excellent way to make extra cash. Side hustles help you gain experience and new skills. They also add value to your CV.
At Remitly, we understand the financial struggles that immigrants face when moving abroad. That’s why we provide information to help you understand the job market in foreign countries and make smart financial decisions.
Below, we provide insights into the UK job market and how international students can secure part-time work.
The Importance of Part-Time Jobs for University Students
Part-time jobs can have a positive impact on any student’s life for a number of reasons:
- Financial independence: Students earn their own money, which reduces or eliminates their reliance on parents or guardians. They can use the money to pay for housing in the UK, tuition, food, and other personal expenses.
- Work experience: A part-time job lets students get firsthand experience. This helps them prepare for meaningful employment once they complete their studies.
- Learning new skills: Students get to learn new skills. For instance, an engineering student can learn communication skills while working in the hospitality or retail sector.
- Networking: Side hustles allow students to meet people from diverse backgrounds. This makes it possible to build valuable connections for future career or business prospects.
- Contributing to society: As part-time immigrant workers in the UK, students get to contribute to the growth of the economy. They can also contribute to the local community, depending on the type of work.
International Students’ Eligibility and Rules for Part-Time Jobs in UK
As an international student, you can engage in part-time work in the UK as long as you have a valid student visa and a National Insurance number. However, there are rules you need to adhere to. Failure to abide by the rules may lead to consequences including a revocation of your visa.
Working hours
The first thing to keep in mind is that you must enrol for a full-time course in a recognised academic institution. If you are taking an undergraduate or postgraduate course you can work for up to 20 hours a week.
If you are on a master’s or higher course, you can work for up to 20 hours a week during term time, provided the course takes over 6 months to complete.
You can only engage in part-time work during your free time. That means you should look for jobs that do not interfere with your learning schedule.
Remember, you are on a student visa and your academics take precedence over work.
You are free to work full-time (40 hours a week) during official university or school holidays. You can also work full-time during public holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
Salary
Once you secure a job, you are entitled to the national minimum wage. This may vary depending on the industry you work in and your age.
Your position also plays a role in the amount you receive as payment.
Part-time jobs can vary in payment plans so it is prudent to discuss with your employer before you get started. Some jobs pay every day while others pay weekly or monthly.
Taxation
Ensure that you meet your tax obligations so as not to be penalised. The key is to find out if the type of job you are doing and the amount of money you’re earning requires you to file taxes. That includes anyone who earns more than £100,000 per year as an employee or more than £1,000 as a self-employed person.
Best Part-Time Jobs for International Students in UK
Tutoring and teaching assistant roles for students
If you excel in a particular subject, consider applying for a tutoring or teaching assistant role. Many universities in the United Kingdom offer assistant positions for students who consistently excel in their studies.
The role may entail teaching fellow students or leading group studies. Such a job allows foreign students to get a feel for what it would be like to be a leader in the workplace. Additionally, students get to earn a little income for the extra effort they put into helping their colleagues.
If your institution is not offering such opportunities, you can always go online and find out if others in the area do.
Online tutoring platforms
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are online platforms that connect students to teachers or tutors. Signing up on such websites allows you to impart knowledge to others while earning extra money.
- iTalki: This site connects teachers with students from around the world. It can be a good place for you to find people who want to learn a new language. You can teach English or your native language—just check the current openings.
- Preply: This is another excellent site to sign up for if you want to teach a language. The good news is that it does not require you to have any experience. It has a straightforward hiring process so you’ll know what is required at every stage.
- Tutor.com: If you can’t find a teaching position in your local area, consider applying for the position online. Tutor.com offers work opportunities for people who have academic skills. This means you can sign up to help students learn subjects such as Math, English, Science, History, Engineering, and Coding, among others.
Hospitality and retail jobs for international students in UK
The hospitality and retail sectors usually have many openings and can be good options for foreign students looking to make extra income.
Opportunities in this sector require you to be friendly and a good communicator since you will serve others. These jobs offer flexible work schedules so you can always find something suitable.
Here are examples of the jobs you can find:
- Retail assistant: This position requires you to help customers find products, answer questions, keep the store clean, and oversee restocking.
- Bar/restaurant staff: You can apply as a bartender, waiter, or waitress. This job doesn’t require any experience or special skills.
- Delivery driver: If you have a driving licence, you can apply to become a delivery driver. Some companies that hire drivers in the UK include Amazon, Royal Mail, UPS, Evri, Yodel, and DPD. There is also the option to find work as a delivery rider if you don’t have a driving licence. That means you’ll use a motorcycle or bicycle to deliver items.
- Event staff: Work in different capacities at events, including security, catering, and logistics, among others.
- Pet care: Pet owners may sometimes need someone to look after their animals while they are away. Pet-sitting and dog-walking jobs are quite common. You can also provide bathing and grooming services.
Freelance or online jobs for foreign students in UK
If you are a student with a specific skill like writing, graphic design, or coding, you can turn to freelancing. Companies around the globe outsource certain tasks and this presents you with the opportunity to make extra money.
Below are examples of websites you can sign up for to find remote work.
- Upwork: This site connects employers across the world to freelancers who can handle different types of jobs. Some common opportunities include content creation, data entry, and web design.
- Guru: It is similar to Upwork so you can expect to find jobs such as copywriting, design, translation, and administrative tasks. The signup process is simple and the pay is decent.
- FlexJobs: This is an employment site you can visit if you are looking for remote and hybrid work. It lists a variety of jobs including graphic design, photography, virtual assistance, editing, and writing.
Content creator jobs for immigrants in the UK
Creating content can be another excellent way to make extra cash. The good news is that you can make videos about anything and then monetise your content.
If you enjoy cooking, capture the process you go through to prepare meals and post it on a relevant platform.
If you are a dancer, record videos of yourself dancing and post them on sites like YouTube and TikTok. Whatever you love doing can be monetised as long as you build an online following and get content views.
Tips to Find Suitable Part-Time Jobs
1. Check university career services
Many universities in the UK have job portals where employers post openings for students to fill. Visit your university’s portal frequently so you won’t miss your opportunity.
Universities also organise career fairs and job expos to help students connect with potential employers. Attending such events is a great opportunity to network and learn about what opportunities are out there.
Additionally, many universities organise workshops to help their students learn how to get ready for interviews, create their CVs, and even search for jobs. Attending such workshops will give you important insights on how to get a job in the country.
2. Utilise the web
Looking for jobs online can be a good way to find openings in different sectors. Many job listing sites allow you to browse available opportunities by category and location.
You can also refine your searches by visiting sites that offer specific opportunities. For instance, Indeed and FlexJobs allow employers in any sector to list job opportunities.
On the other hand, sites such as Italki and Tutor offer specific opportunities for academic teaching or translation.
3. Do some networking
Before the internet and job boards, people found work by networking. This is a good strategy for any foreign student to find work in the United Kingdom.
Talk to classmates, friends, and lecturers to find out if they have heard of any opportunities. Tell them to let you know whenever they hear of something that can earn you money.
Traditional networking is one of the best ways to find unadvertised jobs in your location.
Online networking platforms are another way to increase your chances of finding a job. Sites such as LinkedIn present a simple yet effective way to connect to people who may be able to help.
Your social media accounts can also help you connect to people who need part-time employees. There are groups and pages on social media that regularly share information regarding job openings in different locations.
4. Visit local businesses
Many retail and hospitality businesses do not always advertise vacancies online or with recruitment agencies. Visiting them and asking if there are any openings can be a good way to secure employment.
Some places you can visit include bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets. Print copies of your CV or have a soft copy on the phone in case they ask for it.
You can always drop your CV in such places so they can contact you whenever a position becomes available.
5. Optimise your CV
UK employers prefer a short and clear CV. Make your CV one to two pages long and include your contact details, work experience, and skills.
When writing a cover letter, personalise the details to the job and even mention the name of the company you are applying to. Note why you are applying for the position, your availability, and give a few examples of how your skills will benefit the company.
6. Take up internships and volunteer work
While internships, work placements, and volunteer work may not always bring income, they can be a good way for you to gain new skills and boost your employability. Note that some companies eventually hire their interns or prioritise people who have volunteered with them when vacancies become available.
Wrapping up
It can be a challenge to balance work and studies. Remember to budget your time carefully and not take on more work than you can handle. With proper planning and time management, you can gain a lot by engaging in part-time work in the UK. Of course, you may experience a learning curve at the beginning. But if you stay focused and consistent, everything will eventually fall into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can international students work part-time in the UK?
Yes. International students can work part-time as long as they follow the applicable rules. That means they can only work for 20 hours during active school weeks and 40 hours a week during academic holidays.
- Do I need a work visa to take up part-time work as a student in the UK?
No. You don’t need a work visa if you already have a valid student visa for the UK. However, you must be sure to comply with the restrictions related to part-time work for international students.
- How can I find part-time jobs as a student in the UK?
You can find part-time work as a student in the UK using a variety of methods. Word of mouth, physical inquiries, and online job-search resources can all come in handy when you are looking for a job.