Careers and Employment
information for
International students
Getting ready for work in the UK
Welcome to the UK and to the University of West London. Now that you have enrolled
on your course and started your studies you may wish to think about getting a part-time job to help you gain work experience and develop your skills. You may also
be doing a course which includes a compulsory work placement which will involve you
working full-time for an organisation for a set period of time.
Before you can apply for part-time work or a full-time work placement as part of your
course there is some important basic information you need to know.
Working while you study
As an international student you should have a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK. Your visa
documentation will clearly state information about your eligibility to work in the UK
whilst you are studying. It is important that you understand and comply with these
instructions.
Students on a Tier 4 visa on a foundation degree or degree level course are entitled to:
• Work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during term time
• Work full time during vacation periods and after studies up until the visa expires
• Undertake a work placement as part of their course
• Work as a Student Union sabbatical officer for up to 2yrs
More detailed information about working while you study is available from UKBA on
the following link www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa
Income tax and National Insurance (UKCISA information)
If you work in the UK while studying you’ll normally pay UK tax and National Insurance
(NI) contributions.
Paying tax in the UK
You will have to pay income tax if you earn more than a specified personal allowance in
any tax year.
• You have to pay Income tax and National Insurance if you earn over a certain
amount. This is known as the Personal Allowance and is £9,440 in the tax year
2013 to 2014
• You have to pay NI if you earn more than £149 a week
• If you work for an employer in term-time then your Income Tax and National
Insurance are usually taken automatically from your wages through Pay As You
Earn (PAYE)
• You may be able to reclaim this tax when you leave by filling in a P85 form
You can find out further information about the above at
www.gov.uk/student-jobs-paying-tax
You can find out more about personal allowances and income tax rates from Her
Majesty’s Revenue and Customs at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/it.htm
National Insurance
Employees and employers both pay National Insurance contributions.
You can find out more about income tax and National Insurance and how it applies to
you from:
• Low Incomes Tax Reform Group at: www.litrg.org.uk/Migrant
• HM Revenue and Customs at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/students
Your National Insurance number (NINo) is a unique personal number which is used to
record your National Insurance contributions. You do not need to have a NINo before
starting work, but you must obtain one when you get a job.
The government website Directgov at: www.gov.uk/national-insurance/overview
confirms that you will need to apply for a NINo as soon as you start work.
Applying for a National Insurance Number
You apply for a NINo by calling 0845 600 0643. You will be sent an application form
to be filled in and then may be called for an interview if there are other questions you
need to answer. You usually need to take your passport, payslips or a letter from your
employer confirming that you will be working for them. Your interview appointment will
take place at your nearest Jobcentre Plus office. You can search for details of your local
office at www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
The UK minimum wage
UK employers have an obligation to pay the minimum wage to their employees. This usually increases every year in October. From 1 October 2013 these are:
For persons aged 18 years and above - £5.03
For persons aged 21 years and above - £6.31
Help from the Careers Service
Careers workshops
The UWL Careers Service offers a series of hands on workshops specifically for
international students on how to write a UK CV and the UK work culture. Workshops
take place at different times of the year. We also offer regular drop-in sessions at the
centre if you have any questions about careers and working in the UK; there is no need
to book for these sessions.
Useful organisations and websites
UKCISA - The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK’s
national advisory body serving the interests of international students and those who
work with them. www.ukcisa.org.uk
Home Office - UK Border Agency (UKBA) - advice on matters relating to immigration,
permission to stay, work permits, citizenship, and asylum. Includes application forms
and legislation. www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - Includes information about the UK’s customs and
tax department. www.hmrc.gov.uk
UWL Employment Services - to search and receive all the latest work, placement and
volunteer opportunities at the University of West London. You can register online with
the service and then you will be required to bring in your passport to the centre to
complete the process. www.uwl.ac.uk/work
UK Naric - is the National Agency responsible for providing information, advice and
expert opinion on qualifications worldwide. Working on behalf of the UK Government,
they provide a range of services which compare international qualifications. The
careers and employment service offer free qualification comparison checks and can
give you a print out from UK Naric to confirm to an employer the UK equivalent of your
qualification. ecctis.co.uk/naric
British Council - Working with partners in the UK, the British Council helps to share
British expertise and talent with over 100 countries worldwide
www.britishcouncil.org
Prospects - The Official Graduate Careers Website - the best way to find graduate jobs,
postgraduate courses, work experience and careers advice www.prospects.ac.uk
Specific information about working abroad and country specific pages visit, www.
prospects.ac.uk/working_abroad.htm
NASES - The National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES) is the
National representative body to support Student Employment Services
www.nases.org.uk
UK work placement and job vacancy websites
Inside Careers – Careers information, graduate vacancies and work placements.
www.insidecareers.co.uk
Target Jobs – Graduate vacancies and work placements targetjobs.co.uk
Prospects - current UK and overseas vacancies in a number of different industries for
you to search. www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_job_search.htm
Gradcracker - is the careers website for Science, Engineering and Technology university
students. Includes information on SET-specific employers, placements/internships and
graduate programs and graduate jobs. http://www.gradcracker.com/
Milkround -100s of graduate jobs, schemes, courses, internships and placements, plus
events and career advice www.milkround.com
You can find more detailed information, specific to your industry, in the subject specific
careers leaflets available in the careers and employment centre.
Overseas graduate vacancy websites
Gradlink - Specialist careers website for UK-educated students and graduates from
China, India and Malaysia. www.gradlinkuk.com
Global Career Company - is the global leader in recruitment excellence for the
development of emerging markets. Look for career opportunities in Africa or Asia.
www.globalcareercompany.com
The Careers group – current overseas vacancies in a number of different industries for
you to search. jobs.thecareersgroup.co.uk/international
Target Jobs – country specific profiles with information on the job market, applying for
jobs, vacancy sources, getting work experience, visa information, and living conditions
in a variety of different countries targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/working-abroad
Leaflet last updated: Kay Stewart, January 2014
Design: Marketing Office