Working in the UK

Currently, if you graduate from a UK institution with a degree or higher in any subject, you can stay on and work for one year in the UK. The International Graduates Scheme (IGS) should be applied for within one year of successfully obtaining your qualification. In Scotland, all students graduating from a HND, degree or postgraduate course from a Scottish institution can apply to work for two years after graduation, as part of the Fresh Talent Scotland Initiative.

There are also schemes which allow students to stay on in the UK for professional training or work experience, and some students may also be able to apply for positions as a highly skilled worker here.  

However, from April 2012 onwards, there are new rules on Post-Study Work Visas being introduced. They are as follows: 

• The Post-Study Work Route that allows students free access to work in the UK for 2 years after they finish studying is being closed.
• To stay and work, you must have a job offer from a sponsoring employer. This means that the firm has been registered with the government to accept overseas workers in the Tier-2 visa point system.
• The job must be suitable for your skills and the starting salary must be a minimum of £20,000 a year.

You can find top graduate jobs and internships on the Inspiring Interns website.

An internship is a short term contract (usually 1-3 months) with a company that offers you the chance to get some great experience in a job. For international students it's the perfect way to get an understanding about how business is conducted in the English-speaking world and a chance to experience a different working culture. Not only that, but they also look great on your CV and can lead to opportunities for permanent work.

If you are on a degree course, you can take an internship of up to three months (not limited to 20 hours a week), providing:

• You are on an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course in the UK

• The internship is offered by an employer as part of their recruitment procedure

• You have not taken an internship previously with that employer

• The internship is paid, and the pay and conditions of employment are comparable to those for a resident worker doing the same kind of work

• The internship is completed during your current UK student immigration leave

Visit out Jobs section for a full list of student internships in the UK. For graduate internships based in the London, Manchester and the rest of the UK visit Inspiring Interns.

How much you are paid will vary according to job. However, all employers by law must pay above the minimum wage. The minimum wage is £5.93 per hour for workers aged 21 years and older, and £4.92 per hour for workers aged 18-20.

Some employers will pay wages straight into your bank account. Others will write a cheque, or pay in cash. In all cases you should receive a wage slip detailing the hours you worked, the rate of pay and any tax or national insurance money deducted.

Once you are offered a job, you should apply for a National Insurance number here. When you start working, National Insurance contributions and Income Taxes  will be deducted from your pay, and given to the government.

Currently, for non-EEA students you can work a maximum of 20 hours a week during term time either paid or unpaid. However, during vacations, you can work full time if you want. You can only exceed the 20 hours a week if the work is part of a placement (such as during a sandwich year) and forms a compulsory part of your course.

However, starting in April 2012, changes to the law mean that the regulations about working during your studies are changing. The changes are as follows:

• International students at public universities and publicly funded Further Education Colleges will still be able to work 20 hours a week during term time. However, outside of term time, students on work placements must have a "study : work ratio" of minimum 50:50, ie you have to study the same amount of time as you work.
• International students at private institutions will not be allowed to work at all during term time.

It is important to remember that all of these changes do not affect you if you are from an EEA country and currently pay ‘Home/EU' fees.

Getting a part time job whilst you are studying in the UK can be a useful way to get a bit of extra cash. However, if you are looking to get a job, you should make sure that it won't interfere with your studies or conflict with your visa rules.  

Generally, if you are from a European Economic Area (EEA) Country or Switzerland, you do not need permission to work in the UK. Be ready to show an employer your passport or identity card as proof that you are a national of an EEA country.  

If you are from a non-EEA country, you may be allowed to work during term-time and holidays. Once you have your visa sticker or stamp, check it to see whether you are permitted to work. If you are, your permission to work will still probably be subject to some conditions.

Currently, for non-EEA students you can work a maximum of 20 hours a week during term time either paid or unpaid. However, during vacations, you can work full time if you want. You can only exceed the 20 hours a week if the work is part of a placement (such as during a sandwich year) and forms a compulsory part of your course.

However, starting in April 2012, changes to the law mean that the regulations about working during your studies are changing. The changes are as follows:

• International students at public universities and publicly funded Further Education Colleges will still be able to work 20 hours a week during term time. However, outside of term time, students on work placements must have a "study : work ratio" of minimum 50:50, ie you have to study the same amount of time as you work.
• International students at private institutions will not be allowed to work at all during term time.

It is important to remember that all of these changes do not affect you if you are from an EEA country and currently pay ‘Home/EU' fees.