Working whilst you study

All full-time graduate students are subject to the University's working restrictions. You can find the rules around working whilst you study, for different student groups, below. If you have a question which is not answered below, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.

Research Students

The University recommends limiting work to 6 - 10 hours per week. In exceptional circumstances, and to accomodate one-off events, students may be able to combine efective study with longer working hours, but this must only be undertaken after explicit discussion with their supervisor and their college tutor. Even in such exceptional circumstaces, students must never, in any case, exceed a maximum of 20 hours work each week, which includes both paid and unpaid work. This restriction applies all year round, not just during term-time. The only exemption is for students who are employed full-time as research assistants by the University, and who are working full-time on their PhD research (note that this is not possible on a Tier 4 visa).

You should not rely on part-time work to generate essential income for your studies. If you are in receipt of funding, you should ensure that your funder allows you to undertake paid work.

After you have submitted your thesis, the working restrictions no longer apply. This includes the period where you are completing any corrections required following your viva, although it is expected that undertaking paid work should not delay you in submitting these. If the outcome of your viva is to revise and resubmit, you will be subject to the working restrictions during the revision period.

Taught Master's Students

Taught Master's students are allowed to work any hours during official vacation times, but not at all during term-time.

International Students

Students on a Tier 4 visa are usually subject to additional restrictions, including on the types of work that may be undertaken. You must ensure that you comply with both the rules of your visa and the University's working restrictions.

Part-time Students

There are no working restrictions for part-time students, but it is expected that you and your supervisor keep the balance between your course and any external commitments under review.