The standard UK student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week as long as you attend classes for 15 or more hours each week.  During the holidays you can work full-time in order to pay for your tuition or the grand tour of Europe that you have always promised yourself.

If you graduate in the UK or attain a postgraduate certificate, diploma or higher while you are in the UK, you can apply to remain and work in the UK for one to two years under the new International Graduate Scheme.

The International Graduate Scheme  offers graduates of UK universities (in any subject) twelve months, after graduation, to take suitable and relevant employment in the UK (and up to 2 years in Scotland). Successful applicants will then be able to switch into other employment or self-employment categories if they have achieved the necessary earnings or job offer required to fulfil the criteria for further permission to stay and work.

The aim of the scheme is to attract good quality international students and to encourage those who attain a UK bachelor's degree level qualification or higher to contribute further to the UK's economy.

If this scheme is not right for you, you could still consider transferring to the UK’s Highly Skilled Migrant Worker programme or getting a Work Permit through a UK employer.


Internships and Co-Op placements

If you have an internship or a co-op placement in the UK you will need to get permission to work there in the form of a visa.

If your internship or co-op involves 15 or more hours or organised study and less than 20 hours of employment, you may quality for a UK student visa.

If there is no component of organised study or if the employment is for more than 20 hours a week, the employer in the UK should consider getting one of the following for you:

• A permit under the UK Border Agency “Work Permits – Student Internship”
  
• A Work Permit
  
• A Training and Work Experience Scheme  permit

Once you have the appropriate permit you can apply for your visa.

Alternatively, if your co-op or internship is part of a longer holiday in the UK, you may qualify for a Working Holidaymaker visa. You should bear in mind that this visa requires that employment should not be the main reason for travelling, so if you do not intend to take an appropriate amount of “holiday” time around your internship or co-op, your visa may be refused.

If you require more detailed advice, you should contact a qualified immigration advisor.