2026 Appendix Student Work Rules
Degree-level study: up to 20 hours/week term-time. Below-degree: up to 10 hours/week. Outside term-time: full-time work allowed for qualifying courses. Self-employment, professional sport, and entertainer work are strictly prohibited.
Student Work Permission Evaluator
Evaluates permitted working hours and prohibited activity rules
Appendix Student Work Permission Matrix
| Level of Study | Term-Time Limit | Vacation Limit | Prohibited Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Level or Above (Full-Time) | 20 Hours / Week | Full-Time Permitted | Self-employment, business, professional sport & entertainer. |
| Below Degree Level (Full-Time) | 10 Hours / Week | Full-Time Permitted | Same prohibited categories apply. |
| Part-Time / Other Student Study | 0 Hours (No Work) | 0 Hours (No Work) | All employment strictly prohibited. |
Frequently Asked Questions (6 Detailed FAQs)
A Student following a qualifying full-time degree-level course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, or qualifying study abroad arrangement, can normally work up to 20 hours per week during official term-time. A qualifying full-time below-degree course at a higher education provider can normally allow up to 10 hours per week during term-time. All other Student-route study, including part-time study, normally has no employment permission.
For qualifying Student-route courses where work is permitted, full-time employment is allowed outside official term-time. There is not a separate 48-hour Student-visa maximum in Appendix Student. The student must still comply with the other prohibited-work rules and their specific visa conditions.
Self-employment and business activity are generally prohibited for Students. There is a narrow exception in Appendix Student ST 26.8 where the Student has made a qualifying Innovator Founder application while holding Student permission, has the required endorsement, and the application or related Administrative Review remains pending. Gig-economy work can fall within the prohibited self-employment or business-activity rules depending on the arrangement.
A permanent full-time vacancy is generally prohibited, but Appendix Student ST 26.6 provides a specific exception. A qualifying Student can start such employment after successfully completing the course when they have made a valid Graduate-route application, or up to 3 months before course completion for certain Skilled Worker applications, provided the other listed conditions are met and the application remains pending or under the relevant Administrative Review.
No. Appendix Student prohibits employment as a professional sportsperson, including a sports coach, and prohibits work as an entertainer. These restrictions apply even where the student otherwise has permission to work.
Check the exact work conditions attached to your Student permission, your course and sponsor details, official term dates, and the current Immigration Rules. This tool is only a preliminary checker and cannot determine immigration compliance in every individual case, particularly for post-course employment, permanent vacancies, qualifying work placements, Student Union sabbatical roles or Innovator Founder applications.
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Student Work Limits Summary
Degree Level Term-Time20 Hrs / Wk
Below-Degree Term-Time10 Hrs / Wk
Vacation WorkFull-Time
Self-EmploymentProhibited