- Before you start work
- How many hours can I work?
- What type of work can I do?
- Working for the University of Hertfordshire
- What is term time?
- Breaches of working conditions and illegal working
Before you start work
If you have a Student visa, your work permission will be shown on your eVisa. Check your immigration status before starting any job.
Check your online immigration status
Important
- Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time.
- Students studying below degree level can usually work up to 10 hours per week during term time.
- Working hours are calculated Monday to Sunday and cannot be averaged across multiple weeks.
- Paid and unpaid work both count towards your weekly limit.
- If you work for the University of Hertfordshire, additional University restrictions apply.
How many hours can I work?
Your eVisa will confirm how many hours you are allowed to work.
You can normally work:
- 20 hours per week during term time if you are studying at degree level or above.
- 10 hours per week during term time if you are studying below degree level.
- Full-time during official vacation periods.
- Full-time during a work placement that is an assessed and integral part of your course. See Student visa holders: working on a placement year.
Important rules
- Your weekly limit applies from Monday to Sunday.
- You must not average hours across several weeks.
- If you have more than one job, all hours are added together.
- Paid work, unpaid work, voluntary work, on-call hours and work-based training all count towards your weekly limit.
Check your eVisa carefully
Before starting work, make sure your eVisa shows the correct work conditions.
If you believe your work restriction is incorrect, report it as soon as possible:
You must not exceed the hours shown on your eVisa until any error has been corrected.
What type of work can I do?
Student Visa holders can work in some roles, but there are restrictions.
You can do
- Part-time paid or unpaid employment, including remote work for an employer outside the UK.
- Paid or unpaid work placements that form part of your course.
- Volunteering, provided it meets the definition in the Student route guidance.
You cannot do
- Self-employment or freelancing.
- Selling your own products or services.
- Working as a contractor, including delivery work for companies such as Deliveroo, Uber or similar services.
- Operating as a sole trader through platforms such as eBay, Amazon or Etsy.
- Direct sales work, such as Avon or similar organisations.
- Running a business or engaging in professional business activity.
- Being a company director, shareholder, business partner or sole trader.
- Working as a doctor or dentist in training, unless your course specifically permits this.
- Working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
- Working as an entertainer or model.
- Undertaking a full-time internship or placement that is not an assessed part of your course.
- Filling a full-time permanent position.
If you are involved in any sporting activity or coaching and are unsure whether it is permitted, contact the Student Immigration Team (advice).
For further examples, see:
UKCISA: Navigating work and study with a Student visa
Working for the University of Hertfordshire
The University applies additional working-hour restrictions for Student visa holders, regardless of the hours shown on your eVisa.
During term time, University-employed students must not work more than:
- 15 hours per week if their visa permits 20 hours.
- 7.5 hours per week if their visa permits 10 hours.
This restriction applies during:
- Term time
- Induction Week
- Reading Weeks
- Study Weeks
If you want to increase your working hours during an official vacation period or after successfully completing your course, you must:
- Apply through the relevant University process.
- Receive written approval from HR.
- Wait for confirmation before increasing your hours.
Approval can take several weeks. Do not increase your hours until written approval has been received.
For advice about University employment, contact:
recruitment-hourlypaid@herts.ac.uk
What is term time?
Your Student visa restricts the number of hours you can work during term time. Outside term time, you may be able to work full-time.
Term time includes any period when you are expected to complete academic work, including:
- Attending classes or lectures (in person or online).
- Completing coursework.
- Writing essays, dissertations or a thesis.
- Preparing for examinations.
- Taking examinations.
- Completing re-sits, referrals or deferrals.
Important
Induction Week, Freshers' Week, Reading Weeks and Study Weeks are all considered term time. You must not work full-time during these periods.
View University term dates:
Can I work full-time outside term time?
If you are registered in the current academic year, you can normally work full-time outside your official term dates.
Your term dates can be found on:
- Your student status letter.
- Providing evidence of vacation periods to employers.
Some courses continue during standard vacation periods. If this applies to your course, you may not be able to work full-time.
To provide evidence of your vacation period to an employer, you should supply:
- Your student status letter.
- Your programme specification.
- Your timetable.
I'm writing my dissertation. Can I work full-time?
No. If you are completing your dissertation, you must not work more than 20 hours per week.
Failure to comply may result in your University visa sponsorship being withdrawn.
For more information, see:
Student visa holders: working during your vacation
Breaches of working conditions and illegal working
Do not breach your visa work conditions.
It is your responsibility to understand and follow the rules about working in the UK. Working more hours than allowed, or undertaking work that is not permitted, can have serious consequences for both you and your employer.
Possible consequences
- A criminal conviction
- A fine of £5,000
- Possible imprisonment
- Removal from the UK
- Withdrawal of University visa sponsorship
The University is required to report suspected visa breaches to the Home Office. Students working for the University may also be instructed to stop work immediately.
If you are unsure whether a job is permitted under your visa conditions, contact the Student Immigration Team (Advice) before accepting the role.
If your query relates specifically to working for the University of Hertfordshire, please contact the HR Department.