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Living in London
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UK
European Economic Area (EEA) students and students who are Swiss nationals 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 or a Swiss national.
The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
Many international students are allowed to do some work whilst they study in the UK. However, this is not true for every international student, and even if you are allowed to work, there are certain restrictions on the type of work that you can take.
When the UK immigration authorities give you permission to be in the UK, they put a sticker or stamp in your passport telling you what conditions apply to your stay. These include conditions about work.
If you are from a country where it is compulsory to apply for entry clearance (a visa or a certificate of entry) for the UK before traveling, your conditions will appear on your entry clearance.
To be allowed to work, the condition that you have about employment needs to be a ‘restriction’, rather than a ‘prohibition’ on work. If you are coming for a course of more than 6 months, as you are at LISPA, you can expect to be given a ‘restriction’ on work.
What conditions apply to the hours and types of work I can do?
If you are an international student from outside the EEA, you may NOT:
- Work for more than twenty hours per week during term time.
- Engage in business, self-employment or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer (this currently includes busking or performing your own shows for pay, or taking paid work as an actor!)
Pursue a career by filling a permanent fulltime vacancy.
LOOKING FOR A PART-TIME JOB
How do I find a part-time job?
There are various sources:
- Classified advertisements in local and national newspapers and on websites
- Private employment agencies
- Government employment agencies (job centres)
How I would be selected?
Employers usually short-list candidates based on your CV (curriculum vitae) or resume, which should give your personal details including your country of origin, educational background, past work-experience etc. Many will also want to interview you before hiring. If you are planning on looking for employment in the UK, it is advisable to bring reference letters from former employers with you from your home country.
What types of employment and what wages can I expect?
Retail and Hospitality industries like bars, pubs, cafes', restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, department stores, video shops, and cinemas are the major source of employment for international students working part-time in the UK. The national minimum wage is £4.85 per hour for workers aged 22 and over.
Useful websites
These websites can also direct you to private employment agencies.
Cost of Living
Accommodations
Working in the UK
Student Benefits
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