For many international students studying in the UK, finding part-time jobs is always a hot topic alongside their academic requirements. Balancing work and study not only helps you support living expenses but also develops personal skills and helps you better integrate into society. This blog offers tips and guidance for international students looking for part-time jobs, with the aim of helping students find jobs that suit their needs and preferences.
The Benefits of Doing Part-Time Jobs in UK for International Students
1. Financial Support
Covering the living expenses is one of the most compelling reasons why international students looking for a part-time job. The cost of living, including the tuition, accommodation, food, clothes and transport fees, is relatively high in UK on a global scale, especially in big cities like London and Manchester. Earning extra money through a part-time job can help you alleviate financial burdens for both yourself and your family and improve your life quality, making your study experience in UK more enjoyable.
2.Skills Development
By interacting with colleagues and customers, a part-time job can quickly improve your English skills, especially in speaking and listening, and your ability to respond in immediate conversations. Additionally, a part-time job develops your ability to balance study and work, making you a master of time management. Furthermore, work always involves collaboration with others, and teamwork is a crucial requirement in any future career. A part-time job can teach you how to communicate and cooperate effectively with others.
3.Cultural Integration
Interacting and communicating with foreigners can help you better immerse yourself in Britain’s culture and quickly adapt to its customs. You may make many friends when working part-time, and they can help you better understand their culture and living habits.
4.Gaining Experience
The most important aspect of doing a part-time job is the valuable experience you can gain. You can add new work experience to your resume, making it more attractive to future employers and also increasing your chances of finding full-time employment after graduation.
The Recommended Part-time Jobs in UK for International Students
1.Waiter
Working as a waiter in restaurants, cafes, local bars or other catering industries is the most common part-time job in UK for international students. The work environment is accessible for students to fit in, providing opportunities to interact with a diverse range of people to develop social skills. Being a waiter comes with some special “benefits”—tips. Don’t underestimate those tips; they can significantly boost your income, making it an attractive “bonus.”
2.Tutor
Generally, there are two types of tutors. One type is home tutors, which need you to teach your students at their homes. Home tutors typically earn higher incomes because most parents nowadays pay great importance to their children’s study scores, so they hire tutors to help with their courses after school time. Home tutors are usually required to have teaching certificates and a certain level of proficiency in the subjects they teach, making tutoring a challenge for students as well.
The other type is working as a teaching assistant at your own school, and the main job is assisting professors with teaching tasks and sometimes give lectures to lower-level students. This job is actually a great opportunity for international students. If your future career plan is to become a teacher, this part-time job will certainly enhance your resume.
3.Retailer Worker
If your class schedule is too full and you can’t find time to work during the day, your best options are shops that remain open in the evenings or on weekends, or supermarkets that require weekend shifts-especially in November and December when customers rush to the stores during the busy holiday season. If you are good at English speaking, you can also consider working in retail or customer service at chain stores or malls. Sales jobs are great for improving your speaking and communication skills, and you can also get competitive wages.
4.Dog Walker
In fact, in the UK, some pet owners who don’t have time to walk their dogs hire “professional dog walkers” to take their pets for walks in nearby parks every day. Pet daycare for dogs has a significant market in the UK now, with considerable income opportunities. If you want to take this job, you must enjoy being around animals and know how to interact with them. If you often feel stressed by life and studies and want to relax outdoors, this part-time job is also a good choice!
5.Translator
If you want to improve your language skills quickly, you can consider working as a translator. Translation generally falls into two categories: written translation (translating documents or letters) and interpretation (accompanying translation, such as at meetings or social events). Accompanying translation mostly involves everyday conversations, offering flexible work hours and locations. Even if you don’t plan to work in the translation industry in the future, doing a translation part-time job can cultivate your language sensitivity and cognitive abilities, benefiting you for a lifetime!
6.Freelance Writer
If you love writing, then you might consider becoming a freelance writer. The greatest advantage of this job is that it is not limited by time or place, and it greatly hones your writing and creative skills. It’s absolutely an excellent choice for international students.! Most freelance writing jobs are posted on websites, so you need to keep a close eye on relevant websites for job postings and take on assignments promptly.
Matters Should Be Noticed When Looking For Part-Time Jobs
Before looking for a part-time job, knowing the relevant local policies in the UK is essential. Here are some rules and helpful tips for you :
- According to the UK’s policy, for international students holding a Tier 4 student visa, the UK allows them to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, while in holidays they can work up to 40h per week. International students are not allowed to do full-time jobs. Otherwise, it would affect the validity of your visa.
Once you start working, you need to apply for a National Insurance number within 6 weeks to ensure you are covered by the National Insurance and social security system. This number also serves as your personal account number in the UK tax system and is mandatory to apply for. If your part-time job income exceeds the Personal Allowance set by the UK government, you will need to pay 20% tax on the amount that exceeds this allowance.
- International students are entitled to the same rights as local employees in the UK, such as the minimum wage and break times. These are all your legal rights, so don’t be afraid to strive for them!
Pay attention to safety issues! Make sure the job you find is legal and compliant. The workplace should not be too far from your apartment, as a long commute can greatly drain your energy!
Remember that studying is your main task during your time abroad. Do not let too much part-time work take up your study time, as meeting the graduation requirements of your school is your ultimate goal! Although part-time work is a good way to develop your skills, you must first ensure that it does not affect your studies. Learn to manage your time wisely and maintain a balance between life, study, and work. I believe your study abroad experience will be very fulfilling!
FAQ
Is it easy to find part-time job in UK for international students?
Finding a part-time job in the UK is relatively easy. The UK has numerous employment and educational resources that offer many part-time job opportunities for international students. Students should pay close attention to job postings on recruitment websites and announcements within the school, and be prepared in advance to look for jobs.
Can I work for 40 hours in UK as an international student?
A student visa granted for full-time degree-level studies permits you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. You can work 40 hours per week during the holidays.
Which job is best for students in the UK?
There are many part-time job opportunities for international students to choose.
- Waiter 2.Tutor/Teaching assistant 3. Retailer worker 4. Dog walker 5. Translator 6. Freelance Writer and so on.
