10 of the best part-time jobs for international students in the UK
The UK is one of the biggest education hubs in the world. Around 600,500 overseas students studied in the UK in 2020/21, a number that rises every year. With world-class universities and courses in every imaginable field, the UK is a top destination for international students.
For students who are currently studying or planning to study in the UK, the cost of education can be a challenge, as it quickly adds up with tuition fees, accommodation costs, food and other expenses. In the last few years, these expenses have risen significantly in line with the general cost of living in the UK. And so, it’s crucial for students to find jobs to support their stay and studies.
With busy university schedules, extracurricular activities and more, it’s vital for students to find jobs that are flexible, not stressful and don’t interfere with their studies. For international students on a Student Visa in the UK, part-time work up to 20 hours a week is allowed during the semester and full-time during breaks. There are plenty of flexible part-time jobs that fit into this criteria and WorldRemit is here to list a few of the best part-time jobs for international students along with their expected salaries for you.
WorldRemit Content Team
• 6 mins read • Updated
Barista
There is a rich coffee culture in the UK. Whether it’s across international chains such as Starbucks and Costa, local giants like Pret a Manger, Caffè Nero, Greggs, or the thousands of independent coffee shops that help coffee lovers to kick start their day. Behind every cup of coffee is a barista, and if you love coffee and early mornings this may be the job for you. You can become a coffee aficionado very quickly and can be paid an average of £9.96 per hour.
Retail assistant
Retail assistants, also known as shop, store or sales assistants, form the backbone of the UK’s thriving retail industry. They serve customers, restock shelves, help customers make decisions, handle complaints and maintain the store in its entirety. There are plenty of part-time retail jobs available at all times. But there’s an exponential rise in demand for retail assistants in the months from October to December when Black Friday, Christmas shopping and Boxing Day sales happen. As a retail assistant, you’ll be provided with employee discounts and perks. On average, retail workers are paid £9.88 per hour.
Student ambassador
Student ambassadors are the face of the university for prospective students. The ambassadors answer students’ questions about joining the institution, guide them on their journey, and offer advice, support and encouragement before they enrol. They also support short and long projects within the university and are paid on average £10.29 per hour.
Prep Cook
Prep cooks prepare all the ingredients that’ll eventually be turned into dishes by the line cooks. The job includes; washing, slicing, chopping, cutting, storing and labelling all the ingredients. They also keep an eye on the kitchen inventory. As a prep cook, you’ll learn life-long skills that’ll help you whether you decide to become a chef or not. Plus, the added benefit of having in-house meals made by good chefs is something that adds to the average salary of £10.61 per hour.
Server
Servers can work in a range of places from on-campus food shops to beer gardens. As a server, you may learn important people skills and if English isn’t your first language, it will also help you to improve your English in a fast-paced environment. There are plenty of server jobs available in the UK with an average salary of £10.08 per hour.
Receptionist
Receptionists are the first interactors in customer-facing businesses. Right from the moment someone walks into an office, a clinic, or a help centre, the receptionist sets the tone of the interaction. In this job, you’ll get to hone your customer service skills and work on your language while earning money. Some medium to big businesses also offer their employees company perks, but on average receptionists are paid £8.53 per hour in the UK.
Translator
Speaking more than one language has its advantages and what better way to use those multilingual skills than to work as a translator? You can start with jobs translating subtitles for media, or translating articles, research, company websites, and even manuals; this job will sharpen your skills in both languages. It is also a unique asset in the UK market, as it has a diverse multi-lingual population from across the world. You’ll make an average of around £12.05 per hour as a translator in the UK.
Tutor
Tutoring is a job that will surely leave a long-term impact. You can have the opportunity to teach children, teenagers, other university students or even students with special education needs. You’ll have a better chance of tutoring others in subjects you're educated in or are currently studying. It’s a great way to exercise your knowledge and, at an average salary of £20.74 per hour, it’s also one of the highest paying part-time jobs for international students in the UK.
Leaflet Distributor
A leaflet distributor is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a person that creates awareness for businesses by distributing flyers or leaflets to people. It's a good gig for students who want to work in a high-energy, low-stakes job after a busy day at the university. Working as a leaflet distributor will earn you an average of £9.43 per hour in the UK.
Bartender
You can always find a bar, pub or club anywhere you go in the UK. Whether it’s big cities or small towns, there’s always a watering hole right around the corner. And with a bar comes the bartender, the long-romanticised friendly ear who always knows everyone’s name and promises a warm welcome. So if you’re a people person, it’s the ideal position for you. Well, there are plenty of bartender jobs in the UK market for students and with a sprawling pub culture it’s a good place to get used to the local culture, and pick up a few colloquialisms, too. A bartender earns around £9.96 per hour in the UK.
Where to look for part-time jobs as an international student?
There are plenty of options on where to look for part-time jobs for international students, such as:
Visiting the career centre at the university not only helps you with your resume and interviews, but may also have job boards with listings
There are many websites and job portals to help you find all types of part-time jobs including:
You can always go to your choice of workplace to hand out your CV to apply for a job. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with people who are already employed to look for referrals.
Tips on successfully getting a part-time job in the UK
Finding a part-time job while studying is good for your finances, but it also looks great on your CV. There are a few neat tricks before you venture out on finding a job:
Start the search early: Looking for the right job that fits into your schedule and necessities may take time. It’s important that you find the one that suits you and the best way to do that is to start looking far in advance.
Prepare your CV first: A CV is the first impression you give to any prospective employer. And the best way to handle it is to create a master CV and then customise it a little to suit the job you're applying for.
Prepare for your interview: The best way to do it is to show eagerness, and ask what their expectations of you are for the job. Go into the interview well-informed, but ask the questions that provide you with clarity on the role.
Put your social media on mute: Your social media personality may only be part of your real self, but it can influence your opportunities in the long run. Many employers do keep an eye on your social media, so it’s best to keep your social media private.
Can I get a part-time job in the UK with my student visa?
A student visa allows the student to work in the UK:
During term time or the semester, international students can work up to 20 hours a week. UKVI has defined a "week" as "a seven-day period starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday"
During breaks between semesters, you can work full-time
You can work full-time during term time if you’re on a work placement that’s integral to and assessed as part of your course. Any work placement must not be longer than 50% of the total course length (unless there is a UK statutory requirement for the course to contain a specific period of work placement which exceeds this limit)
You can work as a student union sabbatical officer for up to two years
If you hold a student visa for a part-time course you won’t have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK.
Studying abroad with WorldRemit
You have learnt about the most readily available part-time jobs for international students in the UK. But there are a lot of things to consider when choosing a job and there are plenty of other jobs that are not listed in this article. If you want to learn more about what it’s like studying in the UK, check out our blog for more resources and guides. Also, find out how you can send money to your family back home and how they can send support to you with WorldRemit.
Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post do not constitute legal or financial advice and are provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and/or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information is true at the time of publishing.
Back to home
WorldRemit allows customers to stay connected and support their loved ones. Our Content Team plays an integral part in that. We celebrate the global community and help you to achieve your ambitions.
