All EEA and Swiss national students can work in the UK.
However, Bulgarian and Romanian (A2 countries) students wishing to work during their studies will be subject to the Worker Authorisation Scheme and will have to apply for a registration certificate before they can start work.
Bulgarian and Romanian students holding a registration certificate will be able to work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and full time during holidays and on work placements.
The relevant Home Office application form is called BR1 and the application is free. For more information about the Worker Authorisation Scheme and to download the BR1 form please visit the Home Office website.
Further information about working during studies for EEA/Swiss nationals and their dependants is available on the UKCISA website.
If you enter the UK with a Tier 4 student visa then this will feature either a Prohibition or Restriction condition relating to employment. If you are prohibited from taking employment your visa will clearly state that you are not allowed to work, or engage in any business or profession.
In practice most student visa holders are given a Restriction work permission, which is usually worded "Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State" or "Work (and any changes) must be authorised". Despite the wording used, holders of visas with either of these conditions can work within these conditions without needing further permission from the immigration authorities.
This employment condition allows Tier 4 student visa holders to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations if they are studying at degree level or above, or studying a foundation degree (course that leads to a qualification at level 8 of the SCQF).
Students studying any other course will only be able to work up to 10 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations.
Please note that term time covers all periods of your course when you are doing academic work, and includes for example preparing for examinations, time spent producing MSc projects, dissertations and writing up thesis.
For more information about working during your studies please visit the UKCISA website.
Dependants of Non EEA students coming to study here for less than 12 months will be prohibited from working.
Dependants of Non EEA students coming to study here a course that is below degree level (except Foundation degree course) will also be prohibited from working.
Dependants of Non EEA students coming here to study a course at degree level for 12 months or more will be able to work during their stay in the UK (part time or full time).
For more information about dependants, please visit the UKCISA website.
We strongly encourage students to refer to the University Careers Advisory Service website for information and guidance on:
For information on employment after your studies, please visit the following links on the UKCISA website:
For information on Tier 2 (General) work visa, please visit the UKBA website.
Banner images courtesy of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital
Read our 2012-13 guide to help you prepare for your arrival to the UK.
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