Earn while you learn: how to work while you study
International students typically have busy schedules, balancing their time between attending classes, studying for exams, staying active, socializing with friends – and the list goes on!
Despite having a full-packed study load, many international students choose to work part-time. Apart from earning extra for day-to-day expenses, mastering the work-study balance is one of the best ways to enhance your skills and advance your career.
Does your UK visa allow you to work?
International students can work part-time, but it’s important that you understand and comply with any UK immigration restrictions to avoid risking your student status.
Generally, the government allows student visa holders to work up to 20 hours a week during term period and take a full-time job during holidays or term breaks. However, students of below degree-level courses, such as International Foundation, are only allowed to work 10 hours a week during term time. Students taking a degree-level course, such as iCAS program – or pathway combined with an undergraduate program – are allowed to work 20 hours a week.
Ensure you dedicate enough time to focus on your studies. It might be wise to limit your working hours to ensure you can keep up with your studies.
What kind of work can you do?
Full-time international students can access a wide range of job opportunities. For example, a paid internship enables you to build career-related experience and boost your employability skills – all while earning money.
Some students choose to work on campus as student assistants or student ambassadors, helping with administrative work or representing the university to prospective students and community, on campus or online.
One of INTO’s partner universities, Queen’s University Belfast, supports working students with its talent hub, ‘QWork’, where students can find and apply for part-time or temporary jobs at the university.
Retail positions in stores are also popular part-time positions. Jobs in hospitality, including roles like waitstaff, hotel staff and baristas are also in-demand. Newcastle University helps their students to apply for jobs through its part-time jobs fair.
There are also opportunities in events management, tutoring, delivery services and customer services – just to name a few.
However, there are certain types of jobs that you cannot do under a student visa, such as:
- Self-employment
- Owning a business
- Professional sportsperson
- Entertainer
- Doctor or dentist in training
For a more detailed list of work restrictions for student visa holders, visit uk.gov and UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
What are the benefits of working while studying?
1. Funding your lifestyle costs
With tuition fees, visas and living expenses to consider, studying abroad is a significant financial investment. To ease the pressure, many students take on part-time jobs.
You may choose to work for a bit of extra spending money. Having a source of income can make your study abroad journey even more fulfilling, helping you travel, explore the local area and enjoy more extra-curricular activities without worrying about the cost.
Top tip: Research and planning can save you from unexpected expenses. You can start reading about the cost of living as an international student in the UK or some money-saving tips while you’re in London – and beyond!
2. Early exposure to the professional world
Whether it’s related to your studies or not, a part-time job can teach you skills such as time management, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving – all of which are highly valued by employers.
Above all, it’s a step forward to your career – you’ll have work experience on your CV, setting you apart from other candidates when you’re applying for jobs after graduation.
Reminder: Always prioritize your studies over your job. After all, you’ve invested in the best education possible – so make the most of it! Establish a routine with allocated time for studies, work and (of course!) fun. Make sure you choose a job that can fit into your academic schedule.
3. Building your network beyond campus
Working part-time means you’ll build a network of professional connections outside of your teachers, professors and classmates. The relationships you form with your colleagues, supervisors and customers can open doors to new opportunities.
They can help you find an internship, further job opportunities, or even provide mentorship and advice. Engaging with people from different industries also broadens your perspective and enhances your understanding of the working world.
Watch this video to hear about the experience of students Yan and Hissah who attended the London Job Show during their Employability week at INTO City, University of London.
4. Immersing yourself into an English-speaking environment
Learning English in class is great, but nothing compares to practicing your language skills in real-life situations. Working somewhere that involves communicating in English with people from different backgrounds is a great way to boost your confidence and improve your learning.
While at work, you can learn industry-specific vocabulary and local expressions that are essential for effective communication. As you gain more experience, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable and fluent.
Top tip: Take some time to study local expressions and slang words as you’ll often hear them in everyday conversations. Read this blog to learn some British idioms.
5. Easing homesickness
Working part-time can help ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. Having a job keeps you busy and focused, which is an effective way to reduce the amount of time you spend thinking about home.
Meeting new friends at work can also create a support system that makes your time away from home more enjoyable and fulfilling.
More tips to achieve work-study balance
With the right approach, you can juggle working and studying. Here are some more tips to help you maintain the right balance:
- Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of project deadlines, assignments, work shifts and other commitments. Prioritize important tasks and break down the larger ones so you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Don’t procrastinate and stay focused so you can avoid lower productivity and unnecessary stress.
- Limit distractions and use time wisely. Turn off notifications on your phone and use apps to block distracting websites if necessary.
- Take care of yourself and make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. Remember that physical and mental health is crucial for your long-term success, so make sure you allow time for relaxation and rest.
Working while studying abroad can be a rewarding and enriching experience. By managing your time effectively and staying informed about restrictions, you can successfully balance work and study. So go ahead, explore the opportunities and embrace the journey of earning while you learn!
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