General UK Info / Employment

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Getting a job

Jobs, balancing work and study, benefits, minimum wage, tax and National Insurance...

Not all students choose to work while at University, but a part-time job can give your income a much-needed boost. It can also help you build skills that will look good on your CV when you have finished your study.

Balancing work and study

- It is not realistic to plan to study successfully and at the same time earn all the money you'll need. Don't take on more hours of work than you can cope with. Find out how many lectures and hours of study you will have to do per week. Then you can work out how much paid work you will be able to do, and when you can do it

- Be careful about working in your final year as you will have to study more. Save money to prepare for this

- If you're an international student studying in the UK for more than 6 months, you will probably be allowed to work for 20 hours per week in term time, and full-time in the holidays. (For students from EU countries there are no work-restrictions.) More information can be found on the UKCISA website.

Finding a job

There will be lots of students looking for jobs, so be patient as it may take time! Some tips for finding a job:

- Ask in your university job shop or speak to student services or the students' union.

- Register with local employment agencies. You may be asked for an interview or to do tests to assess your computer skills. You will need to take your CV (or send by email). When you have registered, they will contact you when they find suitable jobs

- Look out for adverts on noticeboards around college or on campus and in local shops

- Use the internet

- Ask around - other students and contacts can help

Benefits of employment

It's not just about the money! You can gain a lot from all different types of jobs, for example;

- Gaining skills for your future career and making contacts

- Meeting people and improving your English (especially understanding local accents)

- Learning about everyday life in the UK and about different work practices

The Minimum wage

The UK has a minimum wage policy which means all employers must pay you at least:

- 16-17 years old - £3.53 per hour

- 18-21 years old - £4.77 per hour

- 22 years or older - £5.73 per hour

(Figures from October 2008)

More info about this at HM Revenue and Customs website.

Getting a National Insurance (NI) Number

Your National Insurance Number is a unique personal number which is used to record your National Insurance (NI) Contributions. Employees and employers both pay NI Contributions, which help to fund contributory benefits, for example, the state pension and jobseeker's allowance. You do not need to have this number before starting work, but you must obtain one when you get a job. Make an appointment at a local Job Centre to apply for your NI number. They will ask you for some personal details and to see your passport.

 

Paying Tax while you are working and studying

You will be liable to pay tax and National Insurance Contributions on your earnings. How much you pay depends on how much you earn. However there is a set amount of money that you can earn per year which is not taxed. This is called your 'Personal Allowance'. If your earnings are more than this, you'll have to pay tax on the difference. If your circumstances change and you pay too much, you can claim this back.