- Can I work full-time during University vacations?
- Working for the University of Hertfordshire
- How many hours can I work?
- How do I prove I am on vacation?
- What if I am studying during a vacation period?
- Semester C vacation periods
- Have you completed your studies?
Can I work full-time during University vacations?
If you have a Student visa, your visa should normally allow you to work in the UK. You can check your permission to work by viewing your online immigration status.
Your Student visa limits the number of hours you can work during term time, but you can usually work full-time during official University vacation periods, such as:
- Christmas vacation
- Easter vacation
- other official vacation periods
What counts as term time?
The following are considered term time and you must not work full-time during these periods:
- induction or Fresher's Week
- reading weeks
- study weeks
You can check general term dates and vacation periods on the University's term dates webpage.
Working for the University of Hertfordshire
If you work for the University, stricter limits apply.
- Students with a 20-hour visa limit can work a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time.
- Students with a 10-hour visa limit can work a maximum of 7.5 hours per week during term time.
These limits apply throughout term time, including:
- induction weeks
- reading weeks
- study weeks
If you want to increase your 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 approval before increasing your hours
Approval can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
How many hours can I work?
The number of hours you can legally work during a vacation period depends on UK employment law and your immigration status.
For information about maximum working hours, see the GOV.UK guidance on working hours.
If you work for the University of Hertfordshire, see the University's guidance on working for the University and Herts SU.
How do I prove I am on vacation?
Employers are responsible for carrying out right-to-work checks.
The University cannot provide a letter confirming that you are allowed to work full-time.
Your employer must obtain and keep evidence of:
- your right to work in the UK
- your academic term dates
- your vacation dates
If you are registered on your course, you can normally work full-time outside your official term dates.
What evidence can I provide?
Most courses follow the University's standard term dates. However, some courses continue during vacation periods.
To show an employer that you can work full-time, you should provide:
- a Student Status Letter
- evidence of your vacation periods
Guidance on providing vacation evidence to employers is available on Ask Herts.
Need a Student Status Letter?
You can request a Student Status Letter through Ask Herts.
What if I am studying during a vacation period?
If you have scheduled classes, lectures or other required study activities during an official vacation period, you are not considered to be on vacation.
Dissertation students
If you are completing your dissertation, you remain subject to your term-time working conditions and cannot work more than 20 hours per week.
Failure to comply with Student visa work restrictions may result in your visa sponsorship being withdrawn.
Semester C vacation periods
If your course includes a Semester C vacation period, you can usually work full-time:
- from the start of Semester C
- until the start of Semester A
- or until your first scheduled class begins, whichever comes first
What if I have referrals or deferrals?
If you have referred or deferred modules in Semester C, you cannot work full-time until those assessments have been completed.
If you begin working full-time and later discover you have referrals or deferrals, you must:
- stop working full-time immediately
- complete the referral or deferral requirements
- wait until they are finished before resuming full-time work
Research students
Master's by Research, MPhil and PhD students are studying throughout the year and are not normally considered to have vacation periods.
You must not exceed your Student visa working hour limit at any time.
If you need to take annual leave, contact the Doctoral College before making any arrangements.
Have you completed your studies?
If you have finished your course, see:
Student visa holders: working at the end of your studies
The rules for working after completing your studies are different from those that apply during official vacation periods.