The rules
| Country | Term-time limit | Holidays | Minimum wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20 hours a week (10 for below-degree courses) | Full time | £12.21 an hour (21 and over) |
| Ireland | 20 hours a week | 40 hours a week (Jun to Sep, Dec to Jan) | €13.50 |
| Canada | 24 hours a week off campus | Full time in scheduled breaks | CA$15 to CA$17.60 by province |
| Australia | 48 hours a fortnight | Unlimited | A$24.95 plus casual loading |
| United States | 20 hours a week on campus only | Full time on campus | US$7.25 federal, higher by state |
| Germany | 140 full days a year | Included in the annual allowance | €12.82 |
| New Zealand | 25 hours a week | Full time | NZ$23.50 |
Realistic earnings
A UK student working 15 hours a week at minimum wage earns about £790 a month before tax, which covers rent outside London but not everything. We plan budgets on 12 to 15 hours because assignments do not care about your rota. Never plan to fund tuition from part-time work; no visa officer will accept it and no timetable allows it.
Getting paid
- UK: a National Insurance number (apply online after arrival) and a UK bank account. You pay no income tax below £12,570 a year.
- Ireland: a PPS number.
- Canada: a Social Insurance Number, free, issued on arrival with your study permit.
- Australia: a Tax File Number online.
- US: a Social Security Number once you have an on-campus job offer.
What can go wrong
Exceeding the hours is a visa breach that universities are required to report and that ends the visa. Cash-in-hand work with no contract leaves you unpaid and unprotected. Self-employment is banned on a UK Student visa. Keep payslips: they are evidence of hours and useful for future visa applications.
