An International Student’s Guide to Working in the UK

National Insurance, Tax, CVs, and everything you need to know… 

The process of getting a part-time job can feel super confusing, especially if you’re new to how things work in the Uk. So here’s a simple, international student-friendly guide to working in the UK.  

1. Know your work rights (student visa rules) 

If you’re on a Student visa (previously Tier 4), you can work: 

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time 
• Full-time during holidays and official breaks 
• You cannot be self-employed or work as a freelancer 
• You can’t take up full-time permanent roles 

 2. Get your National Insurance (NI) number 

You legally need a National Insurance (NI) number to work in the UK. It’s basically your tax and social security ID. 

How to apply: 

You can start working before you get it, as long as you've applied. 

Apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number 

You’ll get a temporary number until your permanent one arrives. 

3. Understanding tax and payslips 

Even as a student, you might need to pay tax and National Insurance contributions, depending on how much you earn.

Key points:  

• You’ll be taxed only if you earn over £12,570/year (as of 2025). 
• NI contributions automatically happen if you earn over £242/week. 
• Always keep your payslips because they break down your earnings, tax, and hours worked. 
• Not sure if you’re being taxed correctly? Use HMRC’s tax checker tool: https://www.gov.uk/check-income-tax-current-year 

4. Open a UK bank account 

You’ll need a UK bank account to get paid. Most employers won’t transfer your wages to an overseas account. 

What you need: 

• Passport 
• BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) 
• Proof of student status (letter from your uni) 
• Proof of address (can be from your accommodation or utility bill) 
• Some of the most popular student-friendly banks are Monzo, Revolut, Santander, HSBC, and Barclays. 

5. Have a relevant CV  

Make sure you have tailored your CV to the types of jobs you’re applying to. Your ‘career’ CV should be different to your part time job CV.

Here are some key things to consider:  

• Short length: 1–2 pages max (Employers are too busy to read lengthy CV’s!) 
• Start with a short personal statement 
• Highlight up to date skills, education, and voluntary experience 
• Use bullet points and clear formatting 

If you don’t have much work experience, focus on: 

• Coursework or group projects 
• Societies/clubs 
• Volunteering roles  

Most universities offer free CV checks through their careers service- Make sure you use them! 

Don’t worry if it feels a bit confusing at first. Make sure you ask questions, use your uni’s careers service, and take it one step at a time!!