Student Route visa and right to work

Definition of 'term-time'

It is very important that you understand what is considered to be ‘term time’ in your particular circumstances if you wish to work more than 20 hours per week.

Outside of ‘term time’ you can work more than 10/20 hours a week. In other words during times  when you are not required to undertake any academic work, whether in-person or self-study or when you have completed your course, you can work more than 20 hours per week/full-time.

The dates you are considered to be on vacation/outside of term-time for these purposes depends on the type of course you are studying, as well as university policy on when you are expected to be actively engaging with your course.

Consequences of breaching visa conditions

There can be serious consequences if you work in breach of your visa conditions, either by working more hours than you are permitted to work, or undertaking a type of work that is not permitted (e.g. self-employment or business activity)

Consequences can include your visa sponsorship being withdrawn, your visa being cancelled by UKVI, a fine, and in some cases being banned from applying for visas for the UK in the future.

Evidence proving your right to work

Your employer is required to obtain evidence of your right to work including when you can work more than the 10/20 hour minimum.

If you need a letter confirming the dates you are on term time, you can request one by emailing StudentAdministration@brighton.ac.uk from your university email address and clearly stating you need a letter confirming your course dates, including term dates for work purposes. You can also submit a request for this letter from your My Brighton account.

Undergraduate students

E.g. BSc, BA, and integrated undergraduate courses such as MPharm and Meng

Find out your term dates.

For Medicine, you will need to check your term dates on the BSMS page.

You can work up to 20 hours per week during the term dates listed in the term dates page.

You can usually work full-time during the winter vacation, Easter vacation and summer vacation as well as when you have completed your course at the end of your final year.

However, in situations where you have an extension to hand in dates over the usual vacation period, or where you are required by the exam board to resubmit work (e.g. over the summer resit period) you will revert to being on term-time during the relevant resit period. You should seek advice from the International Student Advisers if you are unsure whether or not you are considered to be on term time. It is your responsibility to tell your employer if there is a change to your study pattern meaning you can no longer work full-time (for example if you need to undertake resits)

PGDip and PGCert students

Term dates do not apply in the same way as for undergraduate students. If you are studying a PGDip or PGCert rather than a full Masters – usually 6 to 9 months in duration, you will only be permitted to work 20 hours per week for the full duration of your course as during the winter and Easter vacations you are expected to be working on assignments or have other academic expectations.

Masters students

Term dates do not apply in the same way as for undergraduate students and will also vary depending on the course and cohort you are on. In most cases you cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the university vacations.

Students on a one academic year masters starting in September and ending the following September or October

You are considered to be on ‘term-time for the duration of your course. This is because although your taught modules will generally be delivered within the term dates, during university vacations over winter, Easter and summer you are generally expected to be undertaking reading, working on assignments or your dissertation, and as such for work purposes are considered to be on term time for the full duration of your course. This means that you may only work full-time/more than 20 hours per week once you have handed in your final project/dissertation and all outstanding assignments and your official end date has passed.

Students on a two year taught masters course starting in September and including a placement or placements

You should contact us for advice on your right to work more than 20 hours per week as this depends on your study pattern, including when your work placement takes place and when you are expected to start and submit your dissertation.

Students on a one academic year masters course starting in January/February and ending in April/June the following calendar year

During the Easter and winter vacations you are considered to be on term time, as you are expected to be working on assignments, or undertaking reading.

During the summer vacation (roughly halfway through your course) you are considered to be outside of term time/on vacation and you may therefore work more than 20 hours per week during this period, providing you do not have outstanding work to submit or referral work.

Phd students

Normal term dates do not apply to you and you are generally restricted to working 20 hours per week for the full duration of your course.

The only exceptions are during periods of agreed annual leave from your course and after your viva as below:

• If you pass unconditionally you can work full-time for the period your visa is still valid
• If you need to undertake corrections, you will only be able to work 20 hours per week until you have submitted your corrections and final bound thesis.