W161 Eduk Is Working In The Uk_aw
Find your way to work
International students: working in the UK 2007–08
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
www.educationuk.org
Uma Palaniappan came from Malaysia to study for an
An outstanding investment for your future
MSc in Ergonomics at Loughborough University in 2003.
She currently works with one of the world’s premier engine
UK qualifications are recognised
investment in opportunity, earning
manufacturers, Rolls-Royce, in the UK. Here’s what she
and valued all over the world – in
power, advancement, career
said about the scheme:
academic institutions, in commerce,
and personal fulfilment.
industry and government.
But you can now make your UK
This is a direct result of the UK’s
experience work even harder for your
lengthy tradition of high-quality
future by getting some valuable work
‘The International Graduates Scheme
education, its continuing commitment
experience, improving your language
to innovation and modernity, and the
skills and enhancing your CV.
is a great opportunity for international
value it places upon the individual.
Your future employer will be looking for
For all of these reasons a UK
smart, creative, team-orientated people
graduates. It gives them sufficient
education represents a great
who can contribute experience and
investment in the future – an
skills to the success of their business.
experience in their area to make them
more marketable back home. I wanted
The facts you need to know
to work in the UK because my field –
This guide will tell you the facts you
It also gives you details about full-time
need to know about working in the UK
employment, career and business
ergonomics – was not sufficiently
as well as giving you links to other
opportunities after you’ve qualified,
valuable sources of information.
through our International Graduates
established back in Malaysia to further
It explains the permissions or visas
Scheme, the Fresh Talent: Working
you may need, and your freedom to
in Scotland Scheme and a variety
develop my skill set. Rolls-Royce has always
work in the UK for up to 20 hours in
of other schemes available to you.
term time, full-time during the holidays,
A two-year post-study scheme
had a graduate scheme that accepts
and on work placements, sandwich
for those with a degree or higher
courses and internships.
qualification will be introduced
international students. They take advantage
from spring 2008.
of the fact that it is a global world.’
Putting your abilities to work
We hope that these opportunities will
consider career choices, make
help you to get to know British people
professional contacts, and gain the
and society better, put your abilities to
kind of experience that will help you
work, and help you develop personal
stand out from the crowd.
and practical skills.
It’s all part of the multidimensional
They will also enable you to get first-
learning experience that the UK offers.
hand experience of the workplace,
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International students working in the UK
I’m a student from outside the
permission expires); you can carry
European Economic Area.
on working full-time even after
2007–08
Can I work in the UK?
your student immigration
permission expires if you are still
If your application for leave to stay
I am an international student.
I’m a national of:
waiting for a decision on your
in the UK as a student has been
Can I work in the UK?
Czech Republic
Estonia
International Graduates Scheme
successful, you should be given a
Hungary
Latvia
application at that stage (until a
Yes, but your nationality will determine
passport sticker that allows you to:
Lithuania
Poland
decision is made)
what conditions you need to meet so
Slovakia
Slovenia
I work part-time up to 20 hours a
that you can work in the UK. Please
I take a work placement with an
week during term time and work
read the following information carefully.
Can I work in the UK?
employer (sandwich students), and
full-time during your holidays
Yes, but check whether you need
I take an internship placement with
I work full-time at the end of your
I am an international student
to register under the Worker
an employer.
studies, during the period when
from a European Economic Area
Registration Scheme on the
your course has finished but your
However, while in the UK with
(EEA) country. I’m a national of:
Working in the UK website at:
immigration permission to be in the
permission as a student, you must
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk – click on
Austria
Belgium
UK has not yet expired (normally for
be able to show that you can afford
‘Working in the UK’ and scroll down
Republic of Cyprus
Denmark
a maximum period of four months)
to study and live in the UK without
to ‘Worker Registration Scheme’.
Finland
France
needing to work.
I work full-time when your studies
Germany
Greece
The remainder of this leaflet
have finished, while you wait to
You should not work if your visa
Iceland
Ireland
doesn’t apply to you.
hear whether an International
or entry clearance sticker or
Italy
Liechtenstein
Graduates Scheme application is
immigration stamp or UK Residence
Luxembourg
Malta
I’m a national of:
successful (provided you make
Permit states ‘No work or recourse to
Netherlands
Norway
Bulgaria
Romania
your application for the
public funds’ or ‘No recourse to public
Portugal
Spain
Can I work in the UK?
International Graduates Scheme
funds. Work prohibited’.
Sweden
Switzerland
Yes, but check whether you
before your student immigration
Please read the remainder of this leaflet.
UK
need to register under the Worker
Can I work in the UK?
Authorisation Scheme on the
Yes. As a student from a European
Working in the UK website at:
Working on an internship in Invest NI (Northern Ireland) was just amazing!
Economic Area (EEA) country, you
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
Every day was a challenge, but totally meaningful and enjoyable. As a
don’t need permission to work in the
– click on ‘Working in the UK’
Marketing Assistant, my job was highly related to Invest NI’s strategy: to
UK. Be ready to show an employer
and then click on ‘Bulgarian and
advance the economy by encouraging internationalisation, innovation
your passport or identity card as proof
Romanian nationals’ and follow
and entrepreneurship. I did my utmost in my job and received great
you are a national of one of the above
the appropriate links.
EEA countries.
appreciation from my colleagues. Because of my capability, I was even
The remainder of this leaflet
delegated a project where I had significant involvement in the decision-
The remainder of this leaflet
doesn’t apply to you.
making process relating to a multimillion pound inward investment!
doesn’t apply to you.
To maximise my contribution, I served the Sports and Social Committee
within Invest NI voluntarily. Due to my performance and voluntary work,
I was voted as ‘Best Newcomer of 2006’ by the entire staff and was
rewarded at the Annual Staff Conference.
Yu Huai Zhang (Queen’s University Belfast)
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What conditions apply to the hours
Do I need to get permission to work?
If you have been granted an extension
and types of work I can do?
No. All international students from
of stay as a student by the Home
As an international student from
outside the EEA who have been given
Office Border and Immigration Agency,
outside the EEA, you may not:
permission to study in the UK (except
the United Kingdom Residence Permit
(UKRP) in your passport will state,
I work for more than 20 hours a
student visitors – see page 11) are
‘Limited leave to remain in the UK.
week during term time, except
authorised to work, subject to the
No recourse to public funds. Able to
in the case of an agreed work
conditions above. You don’t need
work as authorised by the Secretary
placement or internship
permission from a Jobcentre Plus
office or individual permission from
of State’. The permit will state the date
I engage in business, self-employment
the Department for Work and Pensions
on which your permission to remain
or provide services as a professional
or from the Border and Immigration
in the UK will expire.
sportsperson or entertainer
Agency for a sandwich course or
Consent or authorisation on an
I pursue a career by filling a
internship placement.
individual basis from the UK
permanent full-time vacancy.
government is no longer required.
What does a student visa or
You are authorised to work in the UK,
passport stamp state about work?
subject to the conditions above.
An entry clearance or immigration
officer’s stamp that allows a student
I’m on a short course (six months
If it says that it is a ‘student’ type of
to study states: ‘No recourse to public
or less). What can I do if my entry
visa you are allowed to work (subject
funds. Work (and any changes) must
clearance or passport stamp
to conditions described above).
be authorised’. If these words appear
doesn’t allow me to work?
If you are unsure of the type of entry
in your passport, you are allowed
From 1 September 2007, you will need
clearance you have, you can get advice
to work in the UK, subject to the
to apply for a student entry clearance
from an international student adviser
conditions above.
before you leave your country in order
at your place of study, or if there is not
to study in the UK. This applies
one, telephone UKCISA’s advice line
whether or not you are
(+44 (0)20 7107 9922 – Monday to
a ‘visa national’.
Friday, between 1300 and 1600).
Check the third line of your entry
clearance sticker:
I intend to travel to the UK to take
I if it says that it is a ‘visitor’ type of
a short course (six months or less).
The opportunities we’re given as students [in the UK] are incredible.
visa, it will not be possible for you
How can I get conditions that will
Establishments in the field are so very willing to take us on for work
to get the condition changed; if
allow me to work in the UK?
tasters . . . These placements inspire me to study hard and contribute
your visitor visa was issued on or
You should apply for entry clearance
similarly to society back home. So far, I have worked with a high-street
after 1 September 2007 you must
and tell the entry clearance officer
chemist and been to several hospital pharmacies to see what it is like.
not study or work in the UK
(ECO) that you would like to be allowed
To me, that says a lot about the attitude over here; believing, rather
I if it says that it is a ‘student visitor’
to work in the UK. The ECO will then
than not, in the abilities of a person, and always ready to give others
type of visa, it will not be possible for
check if you meet the immigration rules
a chance – while holding yourself to the highest standards. My working
you to get the condition changed;
for students. If you do, you will be given
experiences are probably the highlight of my stay here in the UK.
you must not work in the UK.
conditions that allow you to work
(subject to conditions described above).
Sook Meng Chung (Cardiff University)
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I is able, if you are a sandwich
Do I need a visa to study in the UK?
non-visa nationals can apply for this
course student, to guarantee that
Yes. From 1 September 2007 all
permission on arrival at the port or
there is a job available and how
students wishing to study in the UK
airport by producing the required
much you will earn.
must apply for student entry clearance
documents. People who enter as
You can use accumulated savings from
before arriving in the UK. This applies
student visitors are not allowed to
your work in the UK to show you have
to all nationalities (except for British
extend their stay in the UK as students.
the financial means to take another
Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas
Further information about this new
course if you wish to continue
Territories citizens, British Overseas
category can be found at:
studying in the UK.
citizens, British protected persons
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
and British subjects). If, however, you
You should see the Foreign and
Can my family members work while
are studying in the UK for six months
Commonwealth Office leaflet British
I study in the UK?
or less and:
Visa Requirements, Information for
© University of Central Lancashire
Your husband, wife or civil partner
I do not wish to take part-time or
Students (INF5). This is available from
or children will receive immigration
vacation employment
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Can I work my way through college
conditions that will allow them to work
I do not intend to undertake a work
If you have not yet travelled to the UK,
or university?
if your leave (permission) to enter or
placement or internship (paid or
a printed copy can be obtained free
You must be able to support and
remain in the UK as a student lasts for
unpaid) as part of your course, or
from any British Embassy, High
accommodate yourself and any
12 months or more. This is the case
I know that there is no possibility
Commission or Consulate which
dependants without working in the UK
even if the family members’ leave is
you will want to extend your stay
operates an entry clearance service.
and without recourse to public funds
less than 12 months. They should
in the UK
If you are already in the UK, you can
(these are described in the Home Office
make sure they have a copy of your
obtain a printed copy from Visa
leaflet Information about students).
you may qualify for permission to enter
passport if they are travelling after you
Correspondence Section, UKvisas,
under the new category of Student
However, when your means are
as the entry clearance officer will need
London SW1A 2AH, telephone
Visitor. Visa nationals require a Student
assessed, anticipated income can be
to see the pages showing your name,
0845 010 5555 or go to:
Visitor visa before travelling to the UK;
taken into account if your UK institution:
entry clearance sticker and how long
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/enquiries
I is a publicly funded institution
your permission lasts.
of further or higher education which
If your permission was granted for less
is itself providing and guaranteeing
than 12 months your family members
the employment (and has provided
will not receive immigration conditions
details of how much you will earn), or
that will allow them to work.
I worked as a market researcher at Think Tank at Millennium Point in
Birmingham. I was part of an intensive four-day project to develop a
renovation plan for the complex according to visitors’ feedback from
interviews. Through this experience I’ve learned how to approach
people of different ages and backgrounds. I also have learned how to
work in a team efficiently and how to deliver work on deadlines under
pressure. Generally, having a part-time job alongside my studies
enhanced my managerial and administrative skills.
Ola Doudin (University of Birmingham)
8
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What is a sandwich course?
I it offers pay and conditions of
Do I need a National Insurance
A sandwich course is a course that
employment comparable to those
number?
includes a clearly defined work
for a ‘resident worker’ doing the
You will need to apply for a National
placement, which is approved by
same kind of work
Insurance number but you do not
the institution providing the course.
I it is completed within the current
need to have received your National
Students subject to conditions
period of leave as a student.
Insurance number before you can start
restricting employment are allowed to
work. You can make an appointment
follow a sandwich course provided that:
Working while studying
for a National Insurance number
I the course leads to a degree or
interview by telephoning 0845 600
Applicants who meet the requirements
to a qualification awarded by a
0643, between 0800 and 1800
of the Immigration Rules for students
nationally recognised examining
Monday to Friday. If you are hard of
are normally given immigration
body, and
hearing, or have speech difficulties,
conditions in their passports that allow
call 0845 600 0644.
© britainonview
I the work placement must be
them to work part-time up to 20 hours
clearly defined, be approved by the
a week during term-time and full-time
At the interview you will need to prove
university or college providing the
during vacations.
your identity and right to work in the
UK (for example, by providing a
What are the immigration rules
course and must not extend
From 1 September 2007 students
document such as your passport,
for students?
beyond the end of the course.
on courses of six months or less
birth certificate or bank statement)
The rules relating to students are
who do not wish to take part-time
and details of when you received a
contained in Part 3 of the Immigration
What is an internship?
employment, undertake a work
job offer or started work.
Rules and are available on the Border
An internship is a short period of paid
placement/internship (paid or unpaid)
Your employer can allow you to start
and Immigration Agency website at
work, which an employer may offer a
as part of their course or extend their
work, before your National Insurance
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
potential employee. The internship
stay in the UK can enter the UK under
the new category of Student Visitor.
number is issued and should deduct
You should also see the Home Office
may be offered to a student on a first
Such students are given leave that
National Insurance contributions.
Border and Immigration Agency leaflet
or higher degree course in the UK,
prohibits employment. If a student,
It may take between six and twelve
Information about Students. Printed
even if the potential permanent
on a short course of six months or
weeks after the interview for your
leaflets can be obtained from:
employment is outside the UK.
National Insurance card to be issued.
You can take an internship, provided:
less, wishes to work (subject to the
Applications Forms Unit, 13th Floor,
conditions above) the student will need
For further information, go to:
Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road,
I you have not previously
to apply for a student entry clearance
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk and
Croydon CR9 2BY or by telephoning
undertaken an internship with
before arriving in the UK.
www.dwp.gov.uk
0870 241 0645.
that employer
Some general information about
I the internship is not for longer
students can be found on the Border
than three months
and Immigration Agency website at
I it is an established part of the
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
employer’s recruitment procedure
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I Fresh Talent:
I Points-based system
Working in Scotland Scheme
a new points-based system (PBS)
for all those who have successfully
for controlling migration, which is
completed a HND, undergraduate
being phased in over the next two
degree course, Master’s, PhD,
years and will replace all of the
or postgraduate certificate or
categories described above. Tier 1
diploma at a Scottish further or
will include a ‘post-study’ category,
higher education institution to
incorporating the International
apply to stay in Scotland for up
Graduates Scheme and Fresh
to two years after completing their
Talent to allow international
studies in order to work. There are
students to work in the UK for
no restrictions on the type of
two years on completion of their
paid work.
degree studies.
Tier 1 will also include an
I Work Permit Scheme
‘Entrepreneurs’ category,
for jobs where no one suitable
incorporating the current
can be recruited, and occupations
Innovators scheme and a ‘general’
where there is a shortage of
category incorporating the Highly
qualified workers.
Skilled Migrant Programme. For
Can I stay in the UK to work
I International Graduates Scheme
more information, please go to
after I have finished studying?
I Training and Work Experience
for all those who have obtained
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk, then
This depends on whether you meet the
Scheme
a UK degree or postgraduate
click on ‘Managing our borders’
requirements for any of the schemes
certificate or diploma on or after 1
for work-based training for
and then ‘Managing migration’.
that the UK government operates.
May 2007, or a degree completed
a professional or specialist
If applying to stay in the UK to work
before this date from a list of
qualification, or work experience.
in any of the categories below, there
qualifying courses. This scheme
is no need to show that you can afford
I Highly Skilled Migrant
allows many students to apply to
to stay in the UK without needing to
Programme
stay in the UK for up to a year in
work. For further details go to the Home
any kind of job without needing a
for those with degrees and work
Office’s Working in the UK website
work permit, or to be self-employed
experience and prior earnings at
(www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk) and click
or to set up a business. You can
a certain level.
on ‘Schemes and Programmes’.
apply for a maximum of 12 months
At the moment, the schemes that are
I
under the scheme but will not be
The Innovators scheme
most suitable for students who have
able to apply again even if you later
for entrepreneurs.
finished their studies are:
complete another qualification.
However, you may qualify to move
from the scheme to work permit
The Fresh Talent Scheme greatly simplified the process of working
employment or into the Highly
in Scotland after my MSc and was a major plus point in my deciding
Skilled Migrant Programme or
to work as a bioinformatician with the University after I had finished
Innovators scheme.
my course.
Sujai Kumar (University of Edinburgh)
12
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Note to employers
Employing international students is legal subject to the
conditions outlined in this leaflet.
In addition, you can employ an international student
even if he or she has not yet received a final National
Insurance number.
Employers need to ensure that they see either of the
following original documents and that it relates to the
person they wish to employ:
I a passport or national identity card issued by a state
that is a party to the European Economic Area
Agreement and which describes the holder as a
national of that state, or
I a passport or other travel document endorsed to show
that the person named has current leave to remain in
the United Kingdom and is not precluded from taking
employment in question.
Employers should make a copy or record of this document.
This leaflet is for international students in the United
Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
and explains the rules on taking work in the UK. It is a guide
and aims to answer frequently asked questions. If it does
not answer all your questions please go to
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk
ent
tin Br
w/Mar
© britainonvie
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The UK means the United Kingdom
Published by the Department for
and consists of England, Scotland,
Innovation, Universities and Skills
Wales (Great Britain) and Northern
Ireland.
© Crown Copyright February 2008
