Taking on part-time work while studying in Brighton on a Student Visa is entirely possible and, for many international students, a practical way to cover living costs and build UK work experience. However, the conditions attached to the visa are specific, and it is important to understand them before you start applying.
This guide covers the work restrictions that apply to Student Visa holders, what employment is and is not permitted, and how to set yourself up correctly with a National Insurance number and Right to Work check.
Important: This guide is for general information only. Always check the official GOV.UK Student Visa guidance and consult your university's international student advisory service for advice specific to your situation.
How Many Hours Can You Work on a Student Visa?
The rule, from GOV.UK: Student Visa holders "may be able to work — how much depends on what you're studying and whether you're working in or out of term-time."
The specific limits, as set out in the Student Visa guidance, are:
- Degree-level courses (RQF level 6 and above): Up to 20 hours per week during term time. Full-time work is permitted during official vacation periods.
- Below degree-level courses (RQF level 3, 4 or 5): Up to 10 hours per week during term time. Full-time work is permitted during official vacation periods.
Your permitted hours will be stated on your visa. Always check your visa conditions directly — and if you are unsure which category your course falls into, your university's international student office can confirm.
What Counts as Term Time?
Term time is defined by your university's official published academic calendar. For most undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, official vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, and summer) allow full-time work.
However, if you are a postgraduate student writing a dissertation or research thesis during the summer, many universities classify this as a period of study rather than vacation. Check with your registry before picking up additional shifts in the summer months.
The Working Week Definition
Under UK visa rules, the weekly limit applies to any single seven-day period. You cannot average hours across two weeks — if the limit for your course is 20 hours per week, you cannot work 25 hours one week and 15 the next to compensate.
For roles compatible with these limits, browse student part-time jobs in Brighton. Our Brighton student job guide also covers the wider job market.
What Work Is Permitted — and What Is Not
Per GOV.UK's Student Visa conditions, you cannot:
- Be self-employed or work as a freelancer
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Study at an academy or local authority-funded school
- Claim most public funds
What this means in practice:
App-based food delivery (Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat): The majority of these platforms operate on a self-employed contractor model. Since Student Visa holders cannot be self-employed, working as an independent delivery courier would breach your visa conditions. If a courier company were to employ riders directly under a PAYE contract, that would be a different matter — but this is uncommon. If you are considering delivery work, check the employment terms with the company first.
Standard employment is permitted: Retail, hospitality, cleaning, administration, events, campus roles — all paid through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) payroll — are allowed within your weekly limit.
Proving Your Right to Work
Before you start any job in the UK, your employer is legally required to check your Right to Work. With the phasing out of physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), this is now done digitally.
You generate a Right to Work share code online at GOV.UK. Your employer uses this code alongside your date of birth to check your visa status and working permission through the Home Office online service. Share codes expire after 90 days, so generate one close to when your employer needs it.
Your permitted hours will be visible to your employer through this check.
Getting a National Insurance Number
A National Insurance (NI) number identifies you for tax and National Insurance contribution purposes. You need one so your employer can run your pay through PAYE correctly.
You can apply for your first NI number online at GOV.UK once you have the right to work in the UK. You can begin working before your NI number arrives — your employer can start you on payroll without it — but you should provide your NI number to their HR team as soon as it is issued.
For more on how local employers handle onboarding, browse our tracked Brighton employers directory.
What Brighton Employers Pay: Minimum Wage Rates from April 2026
Under UK law, all workers — including international students — are entitled to at least the statutory minimum wage. Rates from 1 April 2026 are:
| Age | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| 16 to 17 / Apprentice | £8.00 |
Source: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates
Employers cannot pay less than these rates regardless of visa status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work full-time during university holidays?
It depends on your visa conditions and course type. For most degree-level students, full-time work is permitted during officially designated vacation periods. However, postgraduate students undertaking dissertation work during summer should confirm with their university whether that period counts as term time. Always check your individual visa conditions and your university's official academic calendar.
Can I work for a food delivery app on a Student Visa?
Most food delivery platforms classify couriers as self-employed. Because Student Visa holders are not permitted to be self-employed, this would typically breach your visa conditions. If you are considering it, check the exact employment terms with the platform before signing up.
Can I start a job before my National Insurance number arrives?
Yes. You can begin working once your employer has verified your Right to Work through the GOV.UK share code check. You do not need to wait for your NI number, but you should provide it to your employer as soon as it arrives.
Before You Start Work: Checklist
- Check your visa conditions — confirm your weekly hour limit and whether your current period is term time or vacation
- Generate a Right to Work share code at gov.uk/prove-right-to-work before your interview
- Apply for a National Insurance number at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- Confirm your university's official term dates so you know when full-time work is permitted
- Speak to your university's international student advisory team if you have any questions about your specific visa conditions
Browse visa-compatible part-time roles in Brighton on our live listings.