In UK there are many opportunities for you to work in the UK both during and after your studies. These include part-time or vacation work, as well as course-related work placements.

If you are allowed to work, you can easily find out about any part-time jobs that are available by consulting notice boards around your institution, looking in local newspapers and job centres, and visiting your college or university careers office. Many institutions have their own 'job shop' which displays part-time and holiday vacancies and some may issue job vacancy bulletins. The careers service can also provide you with extensive information and advice about employment, training and further study, and help you with job-hunting and making applications.

The careers service can also provide you with extensive information and advice about employment, training and further study, and help you with job-hunting and making applications.

Before taking a job, think carefully about how much time you will have available. Success on your course is your priority. Your studies may be intensive and demanding and you should be realistic about the amount of time this will leave for part-time work. Many students find that working part time helps improve their English, but you must be careful not to let work interfere with your studies.

As a student you are allowed to work 20 hours per week during the course period and more than 20 hours during your holidays. You can take advice from your international office or student welfare officer.

As in most countries, there are some conditions for working which you’ll need to check before you look for a job. If you’ve got the passport stamp/visa sticker that lets you work, you can do so as long as:

• You are not self-employed, set up or run your own business, provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer, or pursue a career by taking a full-time position while studying.
• Money that you hope to make while doing part-time or vacation work cannot form part of your entry clearance/visa application. You’ll need to show that you can meet the cost of studying and living in the UK without relying on employment apart from money gained from a guaranteed sandwich year placement, or earned through employment at the institution at which you will be studying. Your institution will need to provide evidence of your guaranteed earnings if you want to include these in your visa/entry clearance application.
• During term time you work for a maximum of 20 hours a week. It is very important that this is not exceeded.
• The work you are undertaking is a work placement (including 'sandwich' years in employment) that forms a compulsory part of your course.
• In some situations, you may also be able to undertake an internship with a company lasting for up to three months.
• If you work part time during your studies, you’ll need to meet the conditions explained above.

This visa has now replaced The International Graduate Scheme and Fresh Talent visas in the UK.

Overview: The Post-study Work visa allows all international students completing a UK degree qualification to apply for a visa to stay on and look for work in the UK for up to 2 years.

With this visa, you do not need an employer to sponsor a work visa for you.

With this visa you can take any form of employment.

Time spent on this visa does not count towards the 5 years working in the UK required for permanent residency.

International students have 12 months from when their degree qualification is awarded to them in the UK before they need to apply for this visa. It is possible to return home after graduation and apply for this visa from outside the UK (within 12 months of it being awarded).

• The visa is now for 2 years as opposed to 1 year
• There is now a points requirement - you need to score 50 points to qualify.
• There is a minimum funds requirement - you need to have minimum amount of funds available to support your application.
• This visa may not be straightforward for all international students - see the Q&A below for law students.

It is vital to seek all available help when making visa applications as each application costs time and money. You are also advised to clarify when the 12 months to apply period begins. Destiny Overseas Visa immigration specialists can help you analyses your case before filing for the visa. The UK Border Agency website has the official guidance notes

There is no restriction upon the type of employment or employer that you can apply for under PSW. It can include fixed contract work, permanent positions or agency work.

However, some prospective employers may not have heard about PSW. You may wish to explain to them about PSW and that you can work for 2 years under the programme, in your covering letter.

Employers advertising graduate training programmes, who are looking to train and develop you for a number of years, may be reluctant to accept applicants who are on the PSW scheme. This is because the scheme is only for 2 years and they are looking at long term hiring.

However, some employers may be willing to sponsor a work visa application for you to stay in this role during your visa, in order to continue employing you legally in the UK afterwards. The employer will still have to advertise the job and provide details of how they selected you against other UK or EEA applicants. For more information about work permit in UK please see one of our immigration specialists at your nearest Destiny Overseas office.

Alternatively, you could consider your eligibility to apply for the Highly Skilled (Tier 1 General) visa. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice if you think this applies to you to ensure you plan ahead to ensure your visas do not expire and you are not in the country illegally. Visa applications can take time.

During your PSW visa, it is possible for an employer to sponsor a work visa application for you if you are applying for other jobs.

Alternatively, you could consider your eligibility to apply for the Highly Skilled (Tier 1 General) visa. Contact Destiny Overseas for more information on Tier 1 applications.

Otherwise you will need to leave the UK after the 2 years. International Student Advisers at this University can provide more information.