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Student work regulations

We can only provide information on work regulations for US citizens enrolled in a UK course and work experience schemes for US students. If you need information on long-term work in the UK or working in the UK while not currently a student, consult Work Permits (UK).

If you are given permission to work while a student in the UK, you are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during vacations or holidays.

We have compiled a list of answers to frequently asked questions on student work regulations. Topics include tax, permissions for dependants and more.

You must take the following steps to ensure eligibility to work as a student:

If you are on a course of six months or longer:
You must apply for entry clearance indicating whether you want to undertake paid work while in the UK. Entry clearance documents for students will be endorsed with a "Code 2" stamp, which states "No recourse to public funds. Work (and any changes) must be authorised". This stamp entitles you to work with the above restrictions. You can not work if your stamp reads "Work is prohibited".

If you are on a course fewer than six months:
You must tell the immigration officer if you intend to work while in the UK. He or she will then ask to see evidence that you have been accepted as a student at a higher education institution and that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in the UK.

In order to enter the UK as a student, you must be able to prove that you are able to financially support yourself while studying. You may not use any additional money earned through employment in the UK as proof of these funds. Should you satisfy the Immigration Officer’s requirements, you will be given a “Code 2” stamp which reads “Work and any changes must be authorised.” This stamp gives you permission to work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours per week during vacations. A “Code 3” stamp, which reads “Work and any changes are prohibited”, means you are not allowed to work while you are in the UK.

You should be aware that Immigration Officers are not required to give students studying in the UK for less than six months the Code 2 stamp. The decision is on an individual basis and at the Immigration Officer’s discretion.

If you are currently enrolled at a US university or have recently graduated, there are various organized work placement schemes available. Check out our information on student work placements in the UK.