Working alongside your studies is a good way for all students to help support themselves financially, provided it does not interfere with the academic requirements of the course. It also provides useful working experience that will be of benefit when looking for employment after graduation. However, as a Tier 4 student, you must remember that there will be restrictions on the number of hours you can work per week. This will be stated on your visa.
Please also note that Tier 4 students are not allowed to undertake certain types of work that are prohibited in the UK immigration rules. This includes:
- Employment as a doctor or dentist in training
- Employment as a professional entertainer
- Employment as a professional sportsperson, including a sports coach
- Any form of self-employment or business activity (i.e. setting up a business in the UK)
- A permanent full-time job
'Self-employment' would include work undertaken through an employer that asks you to work for them as a 'contractor'. This may be the case with some online delivery companies, so please check this carefully before agreeing to do this.
Unpaid, voluntary work would also be included in the in the hourly restrictions as indicated on your visa. If you withdraw from your course or take a temporary period of absence, you would also no longer be allowed to work in the UK.
You will be given further details about your 'Rights to Work' after you register at the University. The University is obliged to inform UKVI of any students found to have breached the working conditions of their Tier 4 visa, as it is regarded as a criminal offence in the UK. This may lead to the University deciding to withdraw a student's Tier 4 sponsorship and exclusion.