Can Pakistani Students Work Part-Time While Studying in the UK? (2026)

How many hours can you work?

The limit depends on the level of your course. If you are studying a full-time degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) at a university that holds a student sponsor licence, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During official holidays, such as the summer and winter breaks, you can work full time.

Students below degree level at a further education college get a lower limit of 10 hours per week during term time. Because almost all Pakistani students who move to the UK go for a degree, the 20-hour rule is the one that applies to most readers here.

What does “20 hours a week” actually mean?

The Home Office treats the week as running Monday to Sunday. You cannot average your hours across the month. Working 30 hours one week and 10 the next breaks the rule even though the average is 20. Employers who hire a lot of students usually understand this, but the responsibility sits with you, not them.

What counts as work?

Almost any paid activity counts, whether it is a shift at a shop, a warehouse, a restaurant, or a paid internship. Voluntary work for a registered charity does not count toward your limit. A work placement that is a formal part of your course also sits outside the 20 hours, as long as the placement does not make up more than half of the total course.

Unpaid help for a friend’s business still counts if it looks like a job you would normally be paid for, so do not assume “unpaid” means “unlimited”. When in doubt, treat it as work and stay inside your hours.

How much can you earn?

Pay depends on your age, the city, and the type of job. In 2026 the UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage sit in the region of £11 to £13 per hour for most student-age workers, and some hospitality and retail roles pay a little above that once you include tips or weekend rates.

Working the full 20 hours at around £12 per hour gives you roughly £240 a week before tax, which works out to somewhere near £950 to £1,000 a month. Here is the honest part: that covers food, transport, and a phone bill in most cities, but it does not cover your tuition or a large share of your rent. Part-time work in the UK is a top-up, not a way to fund your whole degree.

• Retail and supermarket shifts: steady hours, predictable pay, common for new arrivals.
• Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, hotels): flexible evening and weekend shifts, tips on top.
• Campus jobs (library, student union, admin): fewer hours but they fit around lectures.
• Paid internships in your field: harder to get, but far better for your CV.

UK versus other study destinations

Compared with a few European countries, the UK is generous on hours. Germany, for example, limits students to around 140 full days or 280 half days a year, while the UK gives you a clean 20 hours every term-time week plus full-time holidays. The trade-off is that UK living costs, especially rent in London, are higher, so the extra hours often just balance out the higher expenses.

What kind of work is not allowed?

Some jobs are off limits no matter how many hours you have spare. On a Student visa you cannot be self-employed or run your own business, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach, and you cannot take a permanent full-time job. Freelancing for clients, driving for a delivery app under your own account, and setting up a limited company all fall foul of these rules.

Breaking your work conditions is serious. It can lead to your visa being cancelled, removal from the UK, and problems with any future application. No shift is worth that risk.

How do you find a part-time job?

Most students start with their university careers service and campus job board, which list roles that already understand student visa limits. From there, high-street shops, cafes, and warehouses are the usual next step. You will need a National Insurance number to work legally, and you can apply for one after you arrive.

What do you need before you start?

• Your Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa showing your work rights.
• A UK bank account for your wages.
• A National Insurance number (you can start work while it is being processed).
• A simple CV written in UK format, ideally checked by your careers office.

Can you work after your course ends?

Yes. The Graduate Route lets most students who finish an eligible UK degree stay and work, or look for work, for two years after graduation (three years for PhD graduates). During the Graduate Route there is no 20-hour cap and no restriction on the type of job, which is why many Pakistani students treat their study years as a foot in the door rather than the whole plan.

Frequently asked questions