Working while studying in UK -The UK is a world leader in many areas of education including engineering, science, art and design, business and management, law and finance. It attracts over 600,000 international students each year to a variety of programmes, ranging from English language courses to PhD. Boasting an incredible mix of international cultures and contemporary thinking, UK becomes a familiar destination for students as they arrive there. It allows them to settle down with ease quickly. Also, there are hundreds of jobs and working while studying options for students and graduates that adds-on to their overall experience.
Students can workif they study at a university or college that is listed on both the official UKVI sponsor list and the list of UK government recognised bodies.Working while studying can be financially and professionally useful for students, but creating a balance between earning and learning simultaneously is difficult. To get the best from postgraduate study requires resilience, time management, enthusiasm for the course and dedication to complete the course with good academic grades. Highlighted below are the top study abroad destinations for different levels of study amongst which UK is the #1 recommendation by international students.
Top study abroad destination – UK
*Source: Universities UK
Working while studying in UK – Work opportunities after Graduation
Part-time post-graduation study option helps students in finding full-time jobs thereby reducing their load of education debts.Part-time courses are usually cheaper than full-time programmes in the UK that further makes self-funding more realistic. One of the main attractions of a part-time course is that students get to keep their salary while studying if they are employed. Working while studying opens up the possibilities whereby the employer pays the tuition fees and course expenses as long as the qualification is relevant to the job and could benefit the company in some way.
Working while studying in UK – Advantages and disadvantages of part-time study
There are many top universities for example in London, UK that offer best starting salaries for graduates. In a global city like London, the universities have got fantastic links with globally acclaimed companies in all industries. The city’s universities have some of the highest graduate employment rates in the UK.Non-EU students who wish to remain in the UK after they have graduated must apply for a work visa. Visas such as Tier 1, 2, and 4 can be availed for working while studying options. One of the most prominent benefits of part-time study is flexibility. Lectures and seminars in many part-time courses are conducted on weekends which can also be accessed online. This is an attractive proposition for many, but prior research into the chosen programme is essential. International students who study a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at a recognised university are allowed to work part-time during the term for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during the holidays.
The UK earnings of international students will, in rare circumstances, be taxable in the UK, whether they are from part-time jobs in the UK during term time or a full-time job during the vacation. Whether or not students actually pay tax, and at what rate, will depend on how much income they have and whether they are eligible for the personal allowance.
Advantages
- Working enables further development of essential employability skills that will look good on CV especially if the applicant’s job is related to their study area.
- It develops skills such as organisation and time management since the students can prioritise multiple workloads.
- Students will have a greater number of opportunities to network within their chosen field.
Disadvantages
- Part-time study is intense, stressful and requires discipline. One needs to balance the study curriculum and work simultaneously.
- Employers and academics may not appreciate the conflicting demands of students time. Employers, in particular, may need careful handling to ensure that the student’s academic work isn’t neglected.
- Annual part-time tuition fees are lower so the course lengths may actually mean that students have to pay more. Part-Time study programmes also provide less value as compared to a full-time study programme. They might not have time to access resources that could enhance the university experience and their future career.
Working while studying in UK – Part-time job opportunities
Study maintenance loans often fail to cover the cost of living due to which more students are forced to get a part-time job to manage their expenses. A survey conducted by Endsleigh in 2015 indicated that eight out of ten students are now working part-time to help fund their studies. More than half of students who work part-time spend their additional income on necessities such as accommodation, food and household bills.
Part time jobs in UK
How to find part-time jobs?
Students are open to numerous ways of finding a part-time job that includes –
- Using university job shops
- Through local networking and meeting people
- Christmas jobs
- Conducting personal market research and contacting relevant job providers in the local area.
Looking for part-time jobs in the UK? CLICK HEREto explore the comprehensive city-wise list of part-time openings in companies in the UK. For example, part-time jobs in the luxurious capital city of England, London, may include part-time teaching, work-from-home market research, part-time tutoring job, sales specialist, SEO, charity fundraiser etc.
Also Read -STUDY IN UK: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
