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Employment

EEA/Swiss nationals can work freely in the UK.
However, if you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia and want to work for an employer for more than one month, you should check whether you need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme and, if so, you must apply within one month of starting work, (see [www.workingintheuk.gov.uk - click on “Schemes and Programmes” and the “Worker Registration Scheme” in the left margin).
The information on the website contains full details about the scheme and a form to be completed in order to apply to register.
A passport or identity card must be enclosed with the application.
There is a fee of £50.00 for the application.
You cannot apply until you have started work and, if your application is successful, you will be issued with a registration card that includes a photograph and a registration certificate, authorising you to work for a particular employer.
(If you change employer or start a second job, you must apply for a fresh certificate but you will not have to pay the £50.00 again).
Further information can be obtained at the Students’ Union Advice Centre.

 

Non-EEA/Swiss Students

 

Most international students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during vacations.
The stamp in your passport tells you whether you are able to work.
Your stamp will either be a complete prohibition to work or a restriction on work.

 

A – Employment Prohibition

 

“No work or engaging in business”

 

or

 

“No work or recourse to public funds”

 

or

 

“Leave to enter/remain in the United kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds, does not enter into any employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in any business or profession, is hereby given for/until (specified time)”

 

B – Employment Restriction

 

“Able to work as authorised by The Secretary of State”

 

or

 

“No recourse to public funds

 

Work (and any changes) must be authorised”

 

or

 

“Leave to enter/remain in the United Kingdom on condition that the holder maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds and does not enter or change employment paid or unpaid without the consent of The Secretary of State for Employment and does not engage in business or profession without the consent of The Secretary of State for the Home Department is hereby given for/until (specified time)”

 

It is only those students whose passports are endorsed with restrictions on working who can consider seeking employment.
If you are not sure whether you are able to work, or you have been given a prohibition instead of a restriction, please bring your passport to the Students’ Union Advice Centre, who will check your conditions of entry and advise you further.
A restriction is general consent to work and a leaflet produced by the DfES is available on the internet at [www.dfes.gov.uk/international-students/workleaflet . The leaflet explains what general consent covers and is titled “International students working in the UK – what you need to know”.

 

-Sandwich (Placement) Course

 

If you are on a sandwich course you will be able to work full time as long as;

 

-the work placement is included in the course; and

 

-it is clearly defined; and is approved by the University; and

 

-the course must lead to a degree/qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body; and

 

-the work placement must not extend beyond the end of the course.

 

Postgraduate Research Assistants

 

Although the purpose of research is to gain a PhD, the fact that you will be employed by the University means that the University must apply and be successful in an application for a work permit if you are to take up the proposed position.
The Immigration Directorates’ instructions clearly state, “Researchers who are employed by their institution will require a work permit even where their research will lead to the award of a higher degree”.

 

A student who wants to take up a Students’ Union sabbatical post part way through their course must apply for authority to do so, even if their permission to be in the UK as a student will not expire until after they finish their post.
For further information please contact the Students’, Union Advice Centre.

 

Students whose passports are stamped with a prohibition on working are not allowed to work under any circumstances.
The consequences for a student, who breaches a prohibition on working, or taking employment that is not covered by the consent, can be very serious.
They are committing a criminal offence, which can be penalised on conviction with a fine of £5000.00 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment, and they are also liable to removal from the UK.