If you're an international student (for example, from the Middle East or North Africa) planning to study in the UK, it's critical to understand the rules around working during your studies and staying after graduation.
The UK government has recently introduced policy changes, including a reduction in post-study work visa duration, that directly impact your options. This guide breaks down your work rights, restrictions, and the visa pathways available so you can make informed decisions and stay compliant.
Work Rights During Studies on a UK Student Visa
Under the standard UK Student Visa, most full-time degree students are allowed to work part-time during their studies, up to 20 hours per week during term time. (For certain courses below degree level, such as foundation or language programs, this limit may be reduced to 10 hours per week.) During official university vacation periods, you can work full-time without hourly limits. Always confirm your university’s exact term dates, because these define when you are in “term time” versus “holiday.”
Crucially, not all types of work are permitted. Student visa holders cannot be self-employed, do freelancing, or engage in business activity, and you cannot accept a permanent full-time position while on a study visa. Certain sectors are completely off-limits, such as working as a professional sportsperson or coach.
Even if a job is unpaid (like some internships or volunteering roles), it still counts toward your weekly hours and must be in an allowed category – unpaid work isn’t an exception to the rules.
Consequences of Breaching Work Conditions
Violating your work conditions is taken very seriously by UK authorities. If you exceed your allowed hours in a week or take on prohibited types of work (for example, doing freelance gigs or any self-employed work), your university is legally obligated to report this to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) . The Home Office has been stepping up enforcement of student visa rules, including audits of employers and monitoring of student earnings. The penalties for breach can be severe. UKVI may cancel your student visa, require you to leave the country, and even impose long-term bans on re-entering the UK.
Importantly, compliance is your responsibility as the visa holder. Many students wrongly assume that if an employer is willing to schedule them for extra hours or off-the-books work, it must be okay. This is not true – even well-meaning employers might not know the details of student visa law. If you break the rules, it’s you who will face the consequences, not the employer. Always stay within your permitted hours and work types, no matter what others suggest. Keep accurate records of the hours you work each week and double-check term dates, so you don’t accidentally stray over the limit.
Internships and Work Placements
You are allowed to take part in internships or work placements during your studies, but only under specific conditions. The placement must be an assessed, integral part of your course (usually arranged or approved by your university). Additionally, the placement cannot exceed 50% of your total course duration. For example, in a four-year degree, a placement year must be no more than two years of that (which is usually fine since sandwich placements are often one year). During an authorised work placement that is part of your degree, you may be allowed to work full-time hours even in what would normally be “term time,” because it’s considered part of your course.
However, the same restrictions on the type of work apply – even on a placement, you generally cannot be self-employed or take a permanent job unrelated to your course. If the placement is unpaid, the rules are the same as if it were paid. Always coordinate with your university’s international office or placement coordinator before starting any internship, to ensure it meets the requirements. Remember that your university may need to report your placement details to the Home Office (such as the employer and duration) as part of their sponsor duties.
Post-Study Work Options: The Graduate Route Visa
Once you finish your degree, the main route that allows you to stay and work in the UK without immediate sponsorship is the Graduate Route visa (sometimes called the post-study work visa). Under this route (which began in 2021), most students who complete a degree in the UK can remain in the country to work or job-hunt. As of 2024, the Graduate Route allowed bachelor’s and master’s graduates to stay for up to two years, and doctoral (PhD) graduates for up to three years.
This visa does not require an employer sponsor – you can work in almost any field, at any skill level, or even be self-employed on this Graduate visa. It’s an excellent opportunity to gain UK work experience right after studies.
However, recent policy changes are narrowing this option. Beginning in mid-2025, the UK government has proposed reducing the Graduate Route duration from 24 months to 18 months for those completing undergraduate or master’s programs. (Doctoral graduates are expected to retain the longer three-year allowance under these plans.) In other words, new graduates would have a year and a half to remain in the UK on the Graduate visa instead of the previous two years.
This change was part of an immigration strategy announced in May 2025 aimed at tightening post-study work rights. As of the last update in July 2025, this reduction is slated to take effect but keep an eye on official announcements – such changes must be formalised in the Immigration Rules. It’s important to note that the Graduate Route cannot be extended beyond its initial period.
Once you’ve used up your 18 months (or 2–3 years for those who got the earlier duration), you can’t apply for another Graduate visa. The Graduate Route is best viewed as a stepping stone to either gaining skilled work that qualifies for a longer-term visa or making plans for further study or other paths. If you aim to stay in the UK longer, you should start planning early during your Graduate visa period for the next steps (such as securing a sponsored job, or exploring other visas like the High Potential Individual visa or Start-up visa, if eligible).
Switching to a Skilled Worker Visa
If during or after your Graduate Route you secure a job offer from an approved UK employer, you may have the option to switch to a Skilled Worker visa. This route requires employer sponsorship (the employer needs to hold a Sponsor Licence to hire international workers). The job you’re offered must meet certain criteria, including a minimum salary threshold. As of 2024, the general salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa was significantly increased – in most cases the job must pay at least £38,700 per year (or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher). There are some exceptions and “tradeable points” (for example, having a relevant PhD or a job on the shortage list can slightly lower the required salary), but for a typical new graduate hire, around £38.7k is the benchmark. (This was previously £26,200, but the rules tightened in 2024.) You’ll need to check the specific salary requirement for your job’s occupation code on the Home Office list, because some professions have higher minimums.
The Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to five years at a time. Importantly, time spent on this visa can lead to permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if you fulfill the 5-year residency and other requirements. For many international graduates, the ideal trajectory is to use the Graduate Route visa to find a qualifying job and then switch to the Skilled Worker visa for a longer stay. Note that to switch into this visa, you must apply before your Graduate (or Student) visa expires. If you’re fortunate enough to have a job offer before finishing your studies, in some cases you can even switch directly from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa without needing the Graduate Route at all.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the above knowledge, there are some frequent pitfalls international students fall into. Here are key mistakes to avoid:
Assuming freelance or self-employment work is allowed: It isn’t. Any kind of freelance, contract, or business activity will count as “self-employment,” which student visa holders are expressly forbidden from doing. This includes gig economy work (e.g. delivering for apps as an independent contractor) and side businesses. Stick to jobs where you are on a payroll as an employee.
Combining multiple part-time jobs that together exceed your weekly hour limit: The 20-hour cap is per week total, not per job. For instance, if you have two jobs and each schedules you for 15 hours in the same week, you would breach your visa by working 30 hours total. Always track your combined work hours across all jobs to ensure the sum doesn’t go over your permitted limit.
Relying on informal advice from employers or friends: Don’t base your decisions on what “my boss said” or what other students claim they’ve gotten away with. Universities and employers are under increased scrutiny by the Home Office to enforce visa rules. Advice that isn’t from an official source (your university’s guidance, UKCISA, or the gov.uk website) may be outdated or plain wrong. When in doubt, consult your university’s international student advisor for clarification.
Not keeping evidence of work hours and term dates: In case of any question about your compliance, it helps to have your work rota, payslips, or timesheets and a copy of your university’s academic calendar. This can help you prove you followed the rules. It’s ultimately your responsibility to stay within the limits, so keep yourself organized (for example, maintain a diary of hours worked each week).
Waiting too long to plan post-graduation steps: If you hope to continue in the UK after studying, start exploring your options early. The 18 months of a Graduate Route visa can pass quickly. Don’t wait until the final months to job-hunt or consider other visas. Use resources like your university’s career service and alumni network from early on to improve your chances of securing a skilled job or other opportunity before your time runs out.
In summary, the UK does still offer solid opportunities for international students to gain work experience during and after their studies – but the rules are getting stricter and options narrower than before. By staying up to date with visa regulations and planning ahead, you can avoid mistakes that could cost you your ability to study or work in the UK. Always double-check the latest guidelines before starting a job, and use your university’s support services for advice. With careful compliance and early career planning, you can make the most of your UK education and smoothly transition to the next stage of your journey.
