The Real Question Behind “Can I Work?”
For many international students, winning a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom feels like a dream finally turning real. It reduces financial pressure, boosts motivation, and validates all the effort that went into preparing for this journey.
But as the next question naturally follows—Can I work part-time while studying on a scholarship?—it’s important to look beyond the simple “yes” or “no.”
The right answer depends on two things: what your visa allows and what your scholarship terms permit. When you understand both, you can make the most of your time in the UK—not just academically, but professionally too.
Understanding What the Visa Allows
Almost all international students in the UK hold what’s known as the Student Route visa. This visa is what primarily decides your work rights.
Under current UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations, students pursuing full-time degree-level study at a recognised institution can work:
- Up to 20 hours per week during term time, and
- Full-time during official university vacations.
This means that if you’re studying at an institution like UWS London, you can work part-time during your semesters and switch to full-time during the holidays.
However, the rules are very specific about what kind of work you cannot do. You cannot be self-employed, work as a freelancer, or take jobs as a professional sportsperson, coach, or entertainer. You also can’t fill a full-time permanent position during your studies.
These regulations are designed to help students maintain balance—earning and learning simultaneously, without compromising their education.
How Scholarship Conditions Influence Your Work Rights
While your visa provides a baseline, the specific scholarship you hold may include additional restrictions. Not every scholarship is the same.
1. Government-funded scholarships (like Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT Scholarships) often come with clear guidelines. They expect students to focus primarily on academics and leadership development during the study period.
- Chevening Scholars, for example, can work within the limits of their visa, provided it doesn’t negatively affect their studies.
- Commonwealth Scholars need prior written approval from their programme officer before starting any paid employment.
These measures are not meant to discourage you from gaining experience, but to ensure that the funding is used for its intended purpose—academic and professional growth, not part-time financial dependence.
2. University-specific scholarships or bursaries, such as the up to 40% bursary offered at UWS London, work differently. These are tuition fee reductions rather than employment-linked awards. Students who receive them are allowed to work under normal UKVI rules, meaning part-time during term and full-time during holidays.
3. Country-sponsored or employer-funded scholarships—for instance, those offered by governments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, or Turkey—sometimes come with specific conditions. Some allow paid work only if it aligns with your academic programme, while others may require formal approval from your sponsor.
In every case, the safest approach is to read your award letter carefully and confirm your work rights in writing before accepting any job or internship offer.
Why Working During Your Scholarship Matters
Working part-time in the UK isn’t just about covering expenses—it’s about building the foundation for your future career.
Here’s why it’s important:
1. Real-World Experience
A classroom can teach you theories, but work experience teaches you how those theories come alive in practice. Whether you’re pursuing BEng (Hons) Cyber Security, MSc Cyber Security, or MBA with Luxury Branding at UWS London, employers value candidates who have worked in real-world environments.
2. Financial Independence
Even with a scholarship, living in a global city like London can be expensive. Earning while studying allows you to manage personal expenses more confidently. It also reduces reliance on family support and gives you a sense of control over your finances.
3. Networking Opportunities
Part-time work and internships introduce you to people from diverse industries and backgrounds. These relationships can later become professional connections when you start applying for full-time roles or graduate visas.
4. Transition to Post-Study Work
Students who take up meaningful internships often find it easier to transition to full-time roles under the UK’s Graduate Route visa, which currently allows international graduates to stay and work for up to two years after completing their course (a government proposal to revise it to 18 months is still under discussion).
The Value of Internships Over Generic Part-Time Jobs
One of the most common mistakes students make is accepting any available part-time work, regardless of how it relates to their degree. While jobs in hospitality or retail may provide quick income, internships aligned with your course offer career-aligned learning.
For example:
- A student in Cyber Security could intern as a network analyst assistant or SOC trainee.
- A Data Science student might support data collection or analytics in a small firm.
- A Luxury Branding student could take up a marketing or visual merchandising internship.
These experiences don’t just fill your CV—they demonstrate your initiative and readiness for professional environments. When employers see relevant UK work experience, your employability skyrockets.
At UWS London, faculty often encourage students to find such internships because they bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace application.
Working Hours and Compliance
Even when you’re motivated to earn, you must never exceed the working hours allowed by your visa—20 hours per week during term. The UK government takes visa compliance seriously. Breaching this condition can result in losing your visa or scholarship.
Universities regularly remind students of this rule and may even monitor work hours for scholarship holders. So keep a simple record of your shifts and always prioritise your studies first.
During official university breaks—such as summer, Christmas, or Easter—you can work full-time. However, “break” refers to official holidays in your academic calendar, not just weeks when you have fewer classes.
The Importance of Balance
While the idea of earning extra income is tempting, overworking can quickly become counterproductive. Many scholarship holders underestimate how demanding UK coursework can be, especially at the postgraduate level.
Striking the right balance between study, work, and rest is essential. Your scholarship provider expects strong academic performance. Missing classes or underperforming because of work commitments could lead to disciplinary action or even scholarship withdrawal.
That’s why the smartest students treat part-time work as a learning supplement, not a survival mechanism.
Preparing for Post-Graduation Success
If used wisely, your time working part-time during your studies can become a launchpad for your post-study career. Employers in the UK—and globally—appreciate graduates who already have UK work experience, even if it’s part-time. It shows adaptability, communication skills, and an understanding of professional etiquette.
For those who study Cyber Security or Data Science at UWS London, this is especially valuable. The UK is home to many global tech and consulting firms that actively recruit students who have already worked with local organisations. Once you graduate, this experience helps you stand out when applying for the Graduate Route visa and beyond.
Moreover, these internships can serve as strong references when applying for roles in other developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Singapore, all of which offer high-paying opportunities in tech, security, and data fields.
How Erudmite Helps Students Navigate This Journey
At Erudmite, we guide students through every step of their international education—before, during, and after their scholarship.
Our team ensures that each student fully understands:
- Their visa and scholarship work conditions.
- The best ways to find internships that add value to their career goals.
- How to balance financial independence with academic excellence.
- And how to leverage post-study work rights to launch a global career.
We’ve helped hundreds of students in the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria, and India identify the right mix of study and experience—so by the time they graduate, they don’t just hold a UK degree; they hold an employable skill set.
Final Thoughts
So, can you work while on a UK scholarship?
Yes, you can—if you understand the rules, respect your scholarship conditions, and manage your time wisely. The key is not to see work as a distraction, but as a complement to your learning.
When done thoughtfully, part-time work and internships during your studies can transform your entire international education experience. They give you confidence, independence, and a head start in building the global career you came for.
As we often say at Erudmite: a scholarship gets you into the classroom, but what you do beyond it decides the rest of your story.
FAQ
1. Can international students on scholarships work part-time in the UK?
Yes. Most students on the UK Student Route visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university vacations. However, the exact permission depends on both your visa conditions and your scholarship terms.
2. Do government scholarships like Chevening or Commonwealth allow part-time work?
Generally, yes—but with restrictions.
Chevening Scholars can work within visa limits as long as it doesn’t affect their studies.
Commonwealth Scholars, on the other hand, must obtain written approval from their programme officer before taking any paid work. Always check your award agreement before accepting employment.
3. Are university bursaries different from government scholarships?
Yes. University bursaries (such as the up to 40% bursary at UWS London) are tuition reductions, not contractual scholarships. Students who receive them are free to work part-time under UKVI rules, just like any other student visa holder.
4. Can students on scholarships do internships?
Yes — and it’s strongly encouraged.
Internships are one of the best ways to gain relevant professional experience, particularly in fields like Cyber Security, Data Science, and Luxury Brand Management.
As long as the internship follows visa hour limits and scholarship guidelines, it’s an excellent way to strengthen your CV and build employability.
5. Can scholarship students work full-time during holidays?
Yes. During official university breaks (summer, Christmas, Easter), students can work full-time.
However, “holidays” refer to official academic breaks — not personal downtime or reduced class weeks.
6. What happens if I exceed the 20-hour weekly limit?
Exceeding permitted work hours is a serious visa violation. It can lead to losing your visa or even your scholarship. Always track your weekly hours and keep proof of schedules and payslips to stay compliant.
7. Can I freelance or work remotely for companies abroad?
No. Freelancing and self-employment — including remote contract work — are not permitted under the UK Student Route visa. You must be legally employed by a registered company that issues payslips and deducts taxes.
8. Does part-time work affect my scholarship renewal or performance?
Not if managed responsibly. Scholarship bodies expect academic excellence as the first priority.
Working part-time is fine as long as your coursework, attendance, and grades are not affected. If performance drops, your scholarship could be reviewed or revoked.
9. Can I work after finishing my degree on a scholarship?
Yes. Once your degree is complete, you can apply for the Graduate Route visa, which currently allows up to two years of post-study work (a proposal to reduce it to 18 months is under review).
This is an opportunity to gain professional experience before returning home or applying for sponsorship.
10. How can Erudmite help me navigate work and scholarship rules?
Erudmite provides personalised one-on-one guidance on how to balance work, study, and visa compliance. We help students identify career-relevant internships, understand UKVI work permissions, and prepare for Graduate Route opportunities — ensuring your UK journey remains both productive and compliant
