This leaflet provides information on whether you can work whilst you are studying at the University of Leicester, what work you can do and provides information on where and how to look for work.  The information contained within this guide is relevant to students on undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

Gaining work experience through formal programmes and through part-time and temporary work will enable you to gain valuable work related skills.  This includes developing the skills that graduate employers look for e.g. communication, teamwork, teamwork, and leadership.  Gaining work experience will help you in your search for graduate employment whether you stay on in the UK, return home or find work in another country.   

Can I work?
Students from most countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are allowed to work in the UK without any restrictions.  Students from Bulgaria or Romania may need to apply for a registration certificate before they are allowed to work.  This must be obtained from the Home Office before you start work. 

Students from outside the EEA are allowed to work during studies. This is subject to some regulation and employers are likely to want to check your status before employing you.  Providing your passport or identity card does not say “No work” you should be able to work. Students with the "No work" condition must not work (this includes "unpaid work").

What work can I do?
You can take part in:  

• Industrial placements organised and assessed as part of your course e.g. ‘A Year in Industry’; the placement cannot be more than 50% of your course.   You are permitted to work full-time whilst on a work placement that is part of your course.
• Work experience placements sometimes called internships or work placements e.g. 8 weeks summer placement. Provided the work complies with the terms of your immigration permission you can do this.  
• Business related project work e.g. to provide an employer with a business solution, organised as part of your course or on completion of your studies.
• Informal work experience or job shadowing placements during your vacation.
• Voluntary work placements for a fixed period during your vacation.
• Part time or temporary work not exceeding 20 hours per week during term time.
• Full-time work during the vacations provided they meet the conditions* set out below.
• Full-time work on completion of your studies for up to a maximum of four months (in line with valid student visa dates) provided you meet the conditions* set out below.
• Conditions – international students must not:
• pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy,
• work on a self-employed basis,
• work as a professional entertainer or sports person. 

What hours can I work?
Term-time
You must not work more than 20 hours a week during term-time. University regulations recommend that Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students do not work more than 15 hours per week. 

Vacation
Undergraduates: you are allowed to work full-time hours during the University vacations.  These are defined as the dates of undergraduate vacations.  See www2.le.ac.uk/institution/calendar/almanac for current dates

Taught postgraduates: you can work full-time during the Christmas and Easter vacation.  You cannot work full-time in the summer vacation until you have completed all examinations and submitted your dissertation.
Research postgraduates: you are allowed 8 weeks’ vacation each academic year including public holidays.  You are expected to continue your research work during official university vacations.  Any additional paid work should be agreed with your supervisor and Head of Department and should be restricted to a maximum of 20 hours a week.  If your supervisor agrees then you could work full time during some, or all, of your vacation however they would need to confirm in writing that this is a holiday period for you.

Further information and advice
For further information and advice on working during your studies make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser in the University’s Welfare Service.  Contact them by emailing welfare@le.ac.uk or telephoning 0116 223 1185.  Information is also available from:

• UK Border Agency – www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
• UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) – www.ukcisa.org.uk

What types of jobs are available?
Formal work experience placements which may last anything from three months (or less) to a year.  Students are given specific responsibilities during their placement period e.g. working on a project that provides employers with a business solution.  Opportunities are also available in part time, temporary and casual work. Many students work in supermarkets, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and offices.  In the run-up to Christmas, these groups of employers often take on extra seasonal staff.  Jobs may also be available in social care, sales and marketing, IT and call centre work.

Where do I look for work?

Work Experience
Work experience vacancies are advertised on University's JOBSonline. 

Graduate employers provide information on work experience on the following websites:

• www.prospects.ac.uk: the UK's official graduate careers website.
• www.e4s.co.uk:  employment 4 students, details of part-time/holiday and gap year jobs and internships and work experience placements.
• http://targetjobs.co.uk: work experience and vacation placements.
• www.yini.org.uk: Year in Industry placements.
• www.step.org.uk: summer placements, short placements and industrial placements in small to medium sized businesses. 
• www.fledglings.net: student work placements
• www.ratemyplacement.co.uk: placement opportunities

Part-time work

You could look for part-time work in the following places:

• University of Leicester campus and website: there are part time employment opportunities on campus working for the Students’ Union in the shop, restaurants, coffee/other bars, cleaning and operations team etc: www.leicesterunion.com/yourunion/recruitment.  Other part time jobs are advertised on JOBSonline, on JOBSHOP: www.le.ac.uk/jobshop, on the main university website (see ‘Job Vacancies’) and on notice boards in departments and elsewhere e.g. David Wilson Library.  The University’s Residential and Commercial Services have part time jobs in Halls of Residence, details of which are available on JOBSHOP or by e mailing racs@le.ac.uk.
• Shop windows/supermarket notice boards: many businesses looking for part-time employees put adverts in their windows and supermarkets advertise on their notice boards.  As you are walking around, make an effort to look in their windows.  
• Newspapers: look in your local newspaper for vacancies e.g. the Leicester Mercury advertises job vacancies in Wednesday’s paper in a listing entitled ‘Jobsday’.  You may find part-time opportunities here, particularly in the run up to Christmas.  Copies of the Leicester Mercury can be bought from local newsagents and reference copies are held in the Student Development Zone.
• Job Centres: government run ‘Job Centres’ provide work and support for unemployed people.  Many local businesses advertise their vacancies here including part-time vacancies.  If you wish to register with your local job centre, you will need to take along your passport and something which proves you are living in the UK e.g. a letter with your UK address on it.  The nearest job centre is located in Charles Street in the City Centre.  Job details are also listed on their website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
• Friends and other contacts: make sure that you let your friends know that you are looking for part-time work as they may have some ideas or even know of a vacancy.
• Local employment agencies: many employment agencies, also called recruitment agencies, deal with part-time and temporary work.  Student Development has information on recruitment agencies in Leicestershire.  You can also do an online search on www.yell.com to obtain the contact details of local recruitment agencies.  Most agencies will ask you to send a copy of your CV.  If they are interested, they will then invite you to attend an interview.  The employer pays the agency fees, not you.  Do not give any money to a recruitment agency.
• Speculative applications: this involves approaching employers direct to ask for information about opportunities.  It usually involves sending a CV and covering letter targeted towards the type of work you are looking for.  The Career Development Team provides information and advice on creating CVs and covering letters. 
• Volunteering: if it is not essential that you are paid for your work you could consider volunteer work.  This offers a range of opportunities to gain first-hand experience of working and communicating with British people in the local community.  For further information visit the volunteering pages on our website.

How do I find a part-time job and/or work experience?
Start your search early in the autumn term.  You should also apply early for holiday jobs, as these are popular with British students.  Look for work using as many sources as possible.  Use JOBSonline, the websites and appropriate methods listed above.  Take the initiative, not all employers advertise their vacancies so approach them direct by sending a copy of your covering letter and CV, calling in or telephoning to ask about job vacancies.  By approaching employers direct (see speculative applications above) you are increasing your chances of success. 

Can I get help with my job applications?
The Career Development Team can assist you in your search for a job/work experience including helping you identify where to find vacancies, how to approach employers and  provide advice on creating CVs and covering letters.  Securing a work placement can be competitive and you need to be flexible.  If you need further help you could arrange a one-to-one appointment with a careers adviser.  See the making an appointment page on our website for information on how to book an appointment.

How much will I get paid?
How much you get paid depends on the type of work you do, your skills and the employer.  Year in Industry students or those on summer placements are paid a wage which could be around £12-14,000 per year (pro rata for those working less than a year).  For those working in part-time, temporary or casual work employers must pay the UK minimum wage.  Current minimum wage rates are £4.98 (workers aged from 18 to 21) and £6.08 (workers aged 22 and above), however you could earn more than this.

Do I need a National Insurance number?
For all jobs in the UK, you need a National Insurance number and you will be expected to pay National Insurance contributions in the same way as UK residents.   You do not need to have a National Insurance number before you start work.  You can commence work and the employer can start deducting National Insurance contributions on a temporary number, whilst a National Insurance number is being issued.  This will normally take between 6-12 weeks.  Telephone 0845 600 0643 to apply for a National Insurance number.   Jobcentre Plus will then arrange an Evidence of Identity (EOI) interview for you and will tell you what information/documentation to take with you.  Alternately contact the University Student Welfare Service for assistance.  Information is also available on the website.

Do I need to pay Tax?
International students and their partners/children who take up employment will automatically be subject to UK taxation.  However, everyone can earn a certain amount of income before tax has to be paid.  If you earn less than the basic personal allowance (£7475 per year in 2011-12 for a single person) you should not have to pay tax on your earnings.  Tax will automatically be deducted from your wages.  In order not to pay tax (i.e. if you earn less than the basic annual personal allowance) you must complete a tax exemption form (P38S).  This may be available from your employer or from the University Welfare Service based in the Percy Gee Building.

What if an employer is unsure if they are allowed to employ an international student? 

Some employers may not be aware that the law does allow the employment of international students.  You need to be willing to tell employers what you can do and to raise their awareness of the rules relating to the employment of international students.  You may want to direct employers to UKBA Employers Helpline 0300 123 4699 for further help and assistance.

How do I make an appointment to speak to an adviser?
The Career Development Team can help you in your search for part-time work and/or work experience.  You will find us on the 2nd floor of the David Wilson Library.  Advisers are available between 11.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.  To book an appointment go to the Careers Service Help Desk between 10.00am and 4.00pm (Monday to Friday) or telephone 0116 252 2004 between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

References:
UKCISA – www.ukcisa.org.uk ‘Working during your studies’, 17 June 2011. 

>>Further help for international students