Working in the UK

If you hold a Student visa and you are studying a course that is at degree level or above, you will be entitled to work in the UK during your studies. You can also work after your studies if you qualify for the Graduate or Skilled worker work route.

Student visa holders

Student visa-holding students are permitted to work in the UK and the number of hours allowed is based on what kind of course you are studying. 

• Sub-degree level (pre-sessional or Foundation courses): you can work a maximum of 10 hours per week during term time and full time during holiday periods only. 
  
  
• Degree-level and above: you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and full time (in line with UK employment law) during holiday periods.

Your visa should also state exactly what your work entitlement is, but if you are unsure about anything then please ask the Visa and Compliance team at visa@yorksj.ac.uk.

PGT dates with vacations (PDF, 34.8 kB)

Verification of your right to work in the UK

If you find a job in the UK during your studies, your employer is responsible for verifying your right to work by conducting a right to work check. Your employer would need your term and vacation dates to determine when you can work part time or full time.

You can download a work entitlement letter from your E:vision account by clicking on “Confirmation of work entitlement”. You will be required to confirm your personal and course details before the letter can be emailed to your University email. Once the letter has been emailed to you, you can provide it to your employer for them to fulfil their right to work check obligations. If there are any issues with submitting a request from your E:vision account, please contact support@yorksj.ac.uk. For any queries regarding the work entitlement letter, please email the Visa and Compliance team at visa@yorksj.ac.uk.

Confirmation of your academic dates can also be found in the document at the above link titled “PGT dates with vacations”. You need your course start and end dates to know which academic dates you fall into.

Please note: it is very important that you do not work more hours than your visa allows during term time. Working extra hours can have serious consequences and affect your immigration status in the UK.

Staying in the UK to work after studies

The Graduate visa

A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course in the UK.

Successful completion means you must complete your course and obtain the full award. At York St John University (YSJU), your results must be ratified by the School Assessment Board before you can be issued with the full award. Once the full award is issued, the Visa and Compliance team will notify the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for you to make your Graduate visa application. You will be informed by email as soon as the UKVI is notified.

Please note that you must submit your Graduate visa application before the Student visa you obtained your recent qualification under expires. The visa application must also be made whilst you are in the UK.

If you are interested in applying for the Graduate Visa, please contact visa@yorksj.ac.uk

Please also see the Graduate Visa web page for further details about this immigration route. 

The Skilled worker visa

You can apply for the Skilled worker visa after you complete your studies and obtain a job offer and visa sponsorship from a licenced sponsor. You do not have to pass your course to make this visa application however, you will still need to meet the job offer requirements, which may require you to have successfully completed your course. Your prospective employer would be able to advise you accordingly about the job and visa application criteria.

More information about the Skilled worker visa can be found on the UKVI’s Skilled Worker visa webpage.

You can also visit the UKCISA website for further useful information about working in the UK after your studies.

Questions? 

If you have any questions about your work entitlement, Graduate Route, or would like to speak to an advisor, please email the Visa and Compliance team at visa@yorksj.ac.uk.