International student life in UK
Smart Education believes that Studying in the UK is more popular to International students. This blog brought to you by Smart education Group will help you to find out exactly why studying in the UK is more popular to international student life in uk in comparison to other countries.
Studying in the UK is the greatest decision any student could ever make because the UK is worldly empowered by their quality of higher education, facilities, and global connections.
The decision to move from one country to another for further education is undoubtedly a massive decision. We think that such a decision should be made only after some thinking, that’s why Kampus Group will answer your every query regarding studying in the UK.
Every year around 5000000+ International students come to the UK to pursue their studies. This is surprisingly a very large number but there are many factors to take into account, including personal, social, and economic reasons for such a huge number of students who come to study within the UK.
The top reasons Why Studying in the UK is More Popular are outlined in the following description.
Highly Ranked Universities
Universities in the UK are at the top of the list with various courses and outstanding education systems put in place. Students from all over the world must compete with each other to enter numerous universities in the UK. A degree from a recognized institution in the UK is appreciated at any stage of your life. It is one of the top reasons why studying in the UK is more popular.
Low to Highest University Cost
Depending on your current qualifications and financial ability, you will have the opportunity to study in the majority of UK universities, do not assume that the quality of education is poor due to a lower cost. Some low-cost universities are worldly known for their outstanding outcome upon finishing. The minimum average annual tuition fee is £10000 in the UK.
The chance to Work Alongside Studying
An international student always strives for an opportunity of working beside their studies due to the high living costs and essentials. In the UK, students get the chance to do this easily. For instance, working part-time in term time and the potential to work more hours at the end of half term or end of term. Your time at university will be specified by the University you’re going to and you’ll be able to plan your working hours appropriately. The flexibility between working and studying is one of the main reasons why studying in the UK is more popular amongst international students.
Cultural Diversity
You’ll see a lot of cultural diversity while studying in the UK as an international student. One of the advantages of studying abroad is getting to know people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Usually, students from countries around the world come to study abroad, especially at UK universities. While settling into university it is known that those who study abroad have the opportunity to get acquainted with people of different cultures. This can be through exploring food markets and cuisines as well as celebrating at events like Notting Hill Carnival.
Bright Future Ahead
The value of studying in the UK is very favorable. The foundation of your successful future is in the careful hands of very talented teachers and professors. There is no comparison when it comes to the support of your UK teachers. Studying in the UK is something that Kampus Group can vouch for and is why we encourage our international students to study and progress in the UK.
Work in the UK while Studying
As an international student, you may wish to take on part-time work to meet new people, earn extra money as well as building on your linguistic skills. Nowadays a large number of students are very interested in studying within the UK. The majority of the students are concerned about how they can work in the UK while they’re studying.
However, as a student you cannot rely on part-time work to fund your whole studies. It is important to take into account that you should already have enough money to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses for the duration of your studies without the need to take on part-time work as a responsibility.
In our previous posts we mentioned the cost of studying and living in the UK is very high when compiled with tuition fees. It is important to not overwork yourself while you commit fully to your studies.
To overcome this challenge, we’ve compiled the available possibilities as an international student in the UK and what you ought to avoid doing while you pursue your studies in the UK.
What are you allowed to do while working as a student in the UK?
You’re entitled to work part-time in the UK while studying. There are many job offers and opportunities for international students all over the UK. As an international student, you’ll have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours every week during your time studying.
Additionally, you’ll work in the UK as long as your university is on a list of the universities and verified institutions whose students can continue work alongside their study.
International students who study an extensive full-time program at a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. level may need a maximum of 20 working hours per week. Also, they’re allowed to possess full-time work during holidays like summer and Christmas.
Your eligibility to work in the UK while studying depends on two big criterias. These are set by your university and are also set by the people of official institutions within the UK.
At first, you need to make sure that your university doesn’t completely constrain you from working before dealing with the state officials. For instance, looking at your study course, your university may limit working hours to you, other than governmental restrictions.
In the UK, particularly in big cities like London, international students can easily find a part-time job.
Some universities may only allow you to work within the campus, but there’s no need to worry as there are still a lot of options available to you. However, before getting into hunting part-time jobs you need to check if you’re eligible for such work or hours you’re eligible to.
This begins with your Tier 4 visa, the official student visa within the UK. The first criteria you need to check out is your age. If you’re under 16 and don’t have a Tier 4 or General 4 visa then you’re not qualified to proceed.
Types of Jobs You’re Not Allowed to do
After ensuring and checking that you meet the criteria of being allowed to work within the UK, you’ll now need to know the kind of work you’re able to do. There are certain jobs you’re not allowed to do while studying within the UK as an international student.
Below are some instances that you can’t engage in while holding a Tier 4 visa:
- Be self-employed or working freelance
- Initiate a commercial activity
- Full-time permanent job
- Professional sportsperson including sport coach
- Work as an entertainer
- Work as a dentist or a doctor in training, except if you’re enrolled in a foundation program
The Careers Service at your university can facilitate you to explore graduate careers, improve your employability skills, seek job vacancies and work experience placements, improve your CV, and meet potential future employers.
The service of the colleges is normally free. Some universities also have a recruitment-type of agency for part-time work. They’ll facilitate you to find part-time or temporary work on campus and within the area. You can also explore for jobs online, in local newspapers, and through numerous employment agencies.
Work on Campus
Part-time student work may also be found at your campus. During the summer time, professors could also be looking for research assistants or interns, or there may be work available in a university facility like the library.
The National Association of Student Employment Services has some good guidance for international students seeking part-time work.
Below we give you a long list of student jobs within the UK, which will give you an idea over what jobs to seek in the UK as an international student.
- Student Support officer
- Sales assistant
- Pharmacy Delivery Driver
- Pizza Delivery Driver
- Veterinary care assistant
- Personal Assistant
- Physiotherapy assistant
- Admission Officer
- Sport Facilities Worker
- Gardener
- Customer Assistant
- Freelance translator
- Waitress
- Receptionist
- Facilities Assistant
- Residence Guider
- Promotional worker
- Enrollment advisor
- Finance Assistant
- Social Media Assistant
- Newspaper distributor
- Photographer
- Personal Tutor
- Ice Cream scooper
- Host at a Restaurant
- Smoothie MakerBartender
- Cashier
- Blogger
- Graphic designer
- Software Developer Intern
- Bookseller
- Tour Guide
- Research Assistant
- Waitress at the university cafeteria
- Pet caretaker
- House Cleaner
- Babysitter
- Brand Ambassador
- IT assistant
- Security guard
- Fitness instructor
How much does a part-time job pay?
The UK has a National Minimum Wage (NMW) that all employers and businesses must comply with.
Do working students have to pay TAX?
Students can work in the UK while they’re studying. Students are accountable for tax and National Insurance. National Insurance may be a contribution to state benefits in the UK and is payable on all income over £166 per week. Between £166 and £962 per week, you pay 12% of your income as standard NI contributions. Any earnings above £892 per week are charged at the rate of 2%.
For the 2019/20 tax year, you’ll have to earn up to £12,500 per annum before you begin paying tax. If you have a part-time job and earn under the sum of £12,500, you will not be subject to taxes. Above your Personal Allowance, the number you pay depends on how much you earn.
In the tax year of 2019/20 the first £12,500 is tax-free. You pay 20% tax on earnings between £12,500 and £50,000.
Few students are unlikely to be earning over £46,350 while studying. If you do, you pay 40% of your earnings.
Most employers deduct tax from your wages through PAYE (also known as Pay As You Earn), and this can be averaged out throughout the year. This implies that although you will have a short-term job position, you pay tax on your income like your job was all year. In this instance, you’re entitled to a refund at the end of the tax year.
Can my partner work in the UK?
The answer is yes. If you’re studying a postgraduate course of nine months or more in higher, your partner will be given a visa or passport stamp that allows them to work in the UK. If this is the case they will need a copy of your passport to show the immigration officer if your partner is following you to the UK. Students can work in the UK while studying and their partners too.
What do I need before I can start work?
Once you know that you’re entitled to work, you can work in the UK while studying. You will need to have applied for a National Insurance number. This is so you can be eligible to work in the UK, but you do not need to have received your National Insurance number before you can start work. You should do this once you have received your offer of employment.
You can apply for a National Insurance number over the phone. After you’ve done this, you may need to attend an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus to confirm why you need a National Insurance number for your workplace.
Can I Work After Completing University?
The new post-study work visa rules will allow you to work within the UK upon completion of your studies.
From September 2020 any student enrolling at a UK university can stay within the UK after graduation (this can be up to 2 years). You can look for work associated with your degree or course. This is applicable to graduates of all education providers that are recognised as ‘licensed visa sponsors’. Once you know you can work in the UK while studying, you can also apply for a post-study work visa.
The visa requirements for those graduates are expected to be the same as their original student visa rules, so unless your personal circumstances have changed, it should be automatic. This applies to undergraduate students (also known as Bachelors), post-graduate (also known as Masters), and even Ph.D. graduates.
The PSW visa is supposed to allow graduates to stay in the UK for longer while being employed after university.
Who is eligible for a UK Post-Study Work Visa?
Any international student on a Tier 4 visa who enrolls at a UK university from September 2020 is eligible to stay within the UK after graduation. This is while looking for future employment opportunities. Once you know you’re eligible to work in the UK while studying, you can apply for a post-study work visa as well.
This is an extension of rule change that allowed PhDs to stay within the UK after their graduation. This is because the UK wants to grow its STEM industry fields from 2020.
Please read further in depth about the Post-Study Work Visa requirements on our blog called ‘ UK student visa requirements 2021 : work visa after studying in the UK’.
If you require further information and are interested in our article on why studying in the UK is popular, please don’t hesitate to contact Kampus Group.
