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The short answer
On a Student visa at degree level or above, you may work up to 20 hours a week during term time (10 hours below degree level) and full time outside term, including vacations, according to UKCISA. A week is any seven-day period starting on a Monday. From 1 April 2026 the legal minimum is £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20 and £8.00 under 18, per GOV.UK.
The hour limits
GOV.UK says how much you may work depends on what you study and whether it is term time, and that your exact conditions are shown on your visa. UKCISA's student work guidance (last updated January 2026) sets out the standard limits:
| Your course | Term time | Outside term time |
|---|---|---|
| Degree level or above, sponsor with a track record | Up to 20 hours a week | Full time |
| Below degree level | Up to 10 hours a week | Full time |
| Part-time postgraduate course | No work | No work |
Always check your own permission. UKCISA says that if your immigration document states "No work", you must not work, and any apparent error must be corrected before you take a job.
How the week is counted
UKCISA defines a week as "any seven-day period starting on a Monday". You cannot average hours: 25 hours one week and 15 the next breaks the rule even though the two weeks average 20. Unpaid and voluntary work count toward your hours. Holiday pay, back pay, bonuses and reimbursed expenses do not count as hours worked. Keep your own record of shifts, especially with more than one employer, because the responsibility is yours.
What counts as term time
Term time is the period your sponsor expects you to be studying. Check term dates on your university's website; if they are missing or unclear, ask your sponsor before working full time. Research students should ask their department how vacations are defined, since rules differ.
Work you cannot do
- Self-employment, including selling goods or services online or through apps. UKCISA warns you must not accept "contractor" or "freelance" arrangements.
- Business activity.
- Work as a professional sportsperson, including paid sports coaching.
- Work as an entertainer, such as an actor, musician or dancer.
- A permanent full-time job. Permanent part-time work is allowed, and full-time fixed-term work is allowed outside term.
The minimum wage in 2026
GOV.UK sets these hourly rates from 1 April 2026; they change every April:
| Age | Hourly minimum from 1 April 2026 | Previous rate (Apr 2025 to Mar 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £10.00 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £7.55 |
Worked example: weekly pay at the limit
Example only, before tax and National Insurance:
- Aged 22, 20 hours in a term-time week at £12.71: 20 × £12.71 = £254.20.
- Aged 19, 20 hours at £10.85: 20 × £10.85 = £217.00.
- Aged 22, 37.5 hours in a vacation week at £12.71: 37.5 × £12.71 = £476.63 (rounded).
Earnings and hours are counted separately. UKCISA notes the Home Office may question your hours if you earn more than most students, around £15,000 a year, so keep payslips and rotas.
Before your first shift
- Check your eVisa conditions for your weekly limit.
- Find your university's official term dates.
- Get a National Insurance number, or start while you wait if your employer has checked your right to work; see our NI number guide.
- Confirm you are an employee, not a contractor.
- Track hours Monday to Sunday across all jobs.
Counting hours across two jobs
The limit applies to all your work together, not to each employer. Example only, for a degree student in term time:
| Monday to Sunday | Job A (shop) | Job B (campus) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 12 hours | 8 hours | 20 hours, within the limit |
| Week 2 | 12 hours | 9 hours | 21 hours, over the limit |
| Week 3 | 10 hours | 4 hours unpaid volunteering | 14 hours, within the limit |
Week 2 breaks the rule even though the student worked 12 + 9 = 21 hours over two employers who each thought the hours were modest. Week 3 counts the unpaid volunteering because UKCISA says unpaid and voluntary work count. Neither employer can see the other's rota, so the record has to be yours.
When the rules change during the year
- Exam and reading weeks: these are usually still term time. Check your university's dates rather than assuming a break.
- Christmas, Easter and summer: full-time work is allowed only in vacation periods your sponsor recognises.
- A new course or visa: your conditions may change, so read the new eVisa conditions before taking extra shifts.
If you think you have gone over your limit, stop and speak to your university's international student adviser before taking more shifts. Working outside your conditions is a breach of your visa, and advisers can explain the position and your options.
Where Pryme fits
Part-time pay helps, but it rarely covers a full budget; see our UK student budget worked example. If you send some of your wages home, a Pryme Personal Account holds GBP and NGN with local details for each, and Swap shows the rate and fee before you approve. Our guide to sending money to Nigeria from the UK compares the routes.
Questions people ask
How many hours can international students work in the UK?
Up to 20 hours a week in term time at degree level or above, and 10 hours below degree level, with full-time work allowed outside term time, per UKCISA. Your eVisa shows your exact limit.
Can I work 40 hours during holidays on a student visa?
Yes, full-time work is allowed outside term time, including vacations, if your sponsor has a track record. Use your university's official term dates.
What is the minimum wage for students in the UK 2026?
There is no student rate. From 1 April 2026 it is £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20 and £8.00 under 18.
Can I do Uber Eats or freelancing on a UK student visa?
Not as self-employment. UKCISA says students must not be self-employed or accept contractor or freelance arrangements.
Sources
- UKCISA: Student work (last updated 28 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Student visa (updated 31 Oct 2024; page checked 19 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.