Q: I am a student on a Student visa and intend to work. Do I need a National Insurance Number?

A: If you do not already have a National Insurance number, you will need to apply for one if you intend to work.  You may start work before you receive your National Insurance number if you have proved your right to work.

In order to apply you must be in the UK and have the right to work. Call the National Insurance application line between Monday and Friday 8am to 6pm

Telephone: 0800 141 2075
Textphone: 0800 141 2438

Q: How do I prove my right to work?

A: Your passport and biometric residence permit (BRP) or vignette should be sufficient for this purpose. If your current visa is in an expired passport you must apply to have the permission transferred to a BRP:

https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replace-visa-brp

Q: I am a student on a Student visa and have been offered some casual work on campus, what should I do?

A: The University encourages overseas students to undertake part time work as permitted and stated on your visa/BRP and University policy. A strict process must be followed to allow you to undertake casual work to enable the allocation of working hours to you in advance. The process will be explained to you by the member of University staff offering you work, and you should not undertake any work until this process has been followed. Further information on the process is available here. 

Q: I am a Further Education student, how many hours can I work at Loughborough University?

A: You can work a maximum of 10 hours in a set 7-day period during standard University term times in all UK employment. The working week is defined as Monday to Sunday and all hours worked in each week must be 10 hours or less. Your working restrictions are not an average per week, but a maximum per week. There are no hourly restrictions during the vacation periods.

Q: I am an undergraduate student, how many hours can I work at Loughborough University?

A: You can work a maximum of 20 hours in a set 7-day period during standard University term times in all UK employment. The working week is defined as Monday to Sunday and all hours worked in each week must be 20 hours or less. Your working restrictions are not an average per week, but a maximum per week. There are no hourly restrictions during the vacation periods.

Q: I am a Postgraduate Taught Masters student, how many hours can I work at Loughborough University?

A: You are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours in a set 7-day period during standard University term times in all UK employment. The working week is defined as Monday to Sunday and all hours worked in each week must be 20 hours or less. Your working restrictions are not an average per week, but a maximum per week.

In line with University policy, you can work without restriction during the Christmas and Easter vacation periods but are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the undergraduate summer vacation period.

Q: I am a Postgraduate Research PhD/Mphil student, how many hours can I work at Loughborough University?

A: In accordance with University policy you are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours in a set 7-day period all year round as there are no set term times for research students. The working week is defined as Monday to Sunday and all hours worked in each week must be 20 hours or less. Your working restrictions are not an average per week, but a maximum per week. The restriction on working at the University also applies when you are on annual leave. This is University policy which also overrides UKVI rules around the flexibility to work full time after completion of studies. You will be unable to work more than 20 hours per week unless you hold a Doctoral Extension Scheme visa (DES)(and have received a letter from the Doctoral College Office confirming the award of your PhD) or have switched to a Skilled Worker visa.

Q: I am a final year PhD student and wish to extend my visa to enable me to find work. What can I do?

A: The Doctoral Extension Scheme (DES) visa enables PhD students to extend their visas for a period of 12 months. You require a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies and you can only apply for a DES visa up to 60 days before the course end date stated on the CAS and after your Viva has been held. You cannot apply after you have completed your PhD.

Once your DES visa has been granted you can commence full time working without hours restrictions once you have received a letter from the Doctoral College Office confirming the completion of your studies and the award of your PhD. 

The new Graduate route is available from 1 July 2021, further information is available here. 

Q: If I am working for an external employer off campus during my studies, what do I need to do?

A: If you are undertaking work solely for an employer other than Loughborough University, it is your responsibility to inform the employer of your Student visa working restrictions and comply with these. It is important you keep a record of the hours you are working each week (Monday to Sunday) as evidence.

Q: If I am working for an external employer off campus during my studies in addition to casual work for Loughborough University, what do I need to do?

A: You must ensure that the combined number of hours worked each week does not exceed the relevant visa restriction. Please record in the Dashboard system the hours you have been allocated to work in advance.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure the terms of your visa are not breached.  Loughborough University has an obligation to notify the UKVI of any student on a Student visa overworking which could result in the withdrawal of your Student visa sponsorship and curtailment of your visa.

Q: What will happen if I work over my restricted hours in a week i.e. breach my visa conditions?

A: As a student on a Student visa, it is your responsibility to ensure that all your paid, unpaid or voluntary work does not exceed your visa working restrictions and that all hours worked in each week must be 20 hours or less if you are studying for a degree level course or above. For information on students working on a visa please visit the UKCISA website:

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Can-you-work

HM Revenue & Customs record your pay, tax and national insurance, and that data is sent to UKVI department within the Home Office every month. It is possible for them to identify students on a Student visa who are working in excess of 20 hours per week. It is important to make sure you do not breach your visa restrictions.

There are strict laws against illegal work in the UK. If we become aware that you have breached the conditions of your visa, as your sponsor, we are required to inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This could lead to your leave to remain being curtailed, your removal from the UK and the refusal of future visa applications.

Q: I’ve accidentally breached my Student visa conditions, what should I do?

A: If you have accidentally worked more than 20 hours in a week you will need to inform the HR Immigration Team as soon as possible, and we will work together to follow the necessary procedures.

Q: What else am I restricted from doing whilst on a Student visa?

A: You are not permitted to be:

• Self-employed (including freelance or consultancy work) or engage in business activities
• Working as a doctor or dentist in training (unless on a recognised Foundation Programme)
• Employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer

Q: Can I take undertake a paid work placement at Loughborough University?

A: In certain circumstances you will be permitted to undertake a paid full-time work placement as part of your course. The work placement must be an integral and assessed part of your course and must not be more than 50% of the total length of your course. Evidence of this will be provided by your School or the Academic Registry before you are formally offered a work placement.

Q: I want to change my course of study whilst also working. What should I do?

A: You should stop working immediately and inform HR Immigration as your visa status may be affected if you discontinue studies.

Q: I wish to take a break from studying. What should I do?

A: You should stop working immediately and inform HR Immigration as your visa status may be affected if you discontinue studies.

Q: If my student visa is in the process of being renewed am I still able to work?

A: You will only be employed when your visa has expired if the University has a Positive Verification Notice from the UKVI which confirms that you have the right to work whilst your visa renewal application is being processed.

Q: How do I arrange for the University to obtain a Positive Verification Notice (PVN)?

A: You should contact by email HRImmigration@lboro.ac.uk and provide your UKVI visa application reference and a copy of your application. The HR Immigration Team will then submit an Employer Checking Service request to the UKVI. You will be notified once a response has been received, usually within 3-5 working days. You will be sent the Positive Verification Notice which can be used to prove your right to work. 

Q: When my new visa is received, where do I need to take it?

A: You should take your original visa/BRP to the Student Enquiries desk on the ground floor of the Rutland Building. If you are undertaking casual work, you should also present it to the HR reception, on the first floor of the Rutland Building, so that your visa status can be updated.

Q: My visa status has changed, and I now hold an alternative visa. What do I need to do?

A: You should take your new visa to the Student Enquiries desk on the ground floor of the Rutland Building so that your student record can be updated accordingly. If you are also undertaking casual work for Loughborough University, you should take your new documents to HR (first floor of the Rutland Building) and inform them of the change in your immigration status.

Q: I have renewed my passport or visa. What do I need to do?

A: If you have a new passport OR visa at any point whilst working you should take your new documents to the Student Enquiries desk on the ground floor of the Rutland Building so that your student record can be updated accordingly. If you are also undertaking casual work for Loughborough University, you should take your new documents to HR (first floor of the Rutland Building) and inform them of the change in your immigration status.

Q: My passport has been lost or stolen. What do I need to do?

A: Please report any loss to the Home Office and the local Police as soon as possible, it is also important to inform HR Immigration if you are working. Student Advice and Support will be able to assist you with this:

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/isas/visa-advice/insideuk/lostbrp

Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/lost-stolen-damaged

HR Immigration Email: HRImmigration@lboro.ac.uk

Q: I have changed my name, how do I get my passport and or BRP amended?

A: You will need to supply supporting evidence to the Home Office and guidance on this can be found here.

The International Student Advice and Support Centre may be able to assist you with this:

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/isas

Q: I am a PhD student and have been offered a full-time role. When can I start?

A: If you are being recruited to a full-time role at the University you would normally be expected to switch to a Skilled worker visa.  You would be unable to commence your full-time role until your Skilled worker visa had been granted. 

Q: Can I extend my Student visa (previously Tier 4 visa) after completing my studies in order to work?

A: You cannot extend your Student visa (previously Tier 4 visa), however, there are different visa types that you may be eligible to apply for and switch to, they are:

• Graduate visa (previously DES - Doctoral extension scheme)
• Start-up visa
• Skilled Worker
• Youth Mobility
• Government Authorised Exchange

Please discuss your options with International Student Advice and Support well in advance of your visa expiry date:

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/isas

If you are continuing to work please remember to inform HR Immigration of any changes to your visa status and bring your new BRP to the Rutland Building, first floor so that we can obtain a copy for our records.