In order to find out more about visa regulations for working as a student, National Insurance and income tax please read the information in our International Students and Employment leaflet
Please note that Masters students cannot work full time during the Summer/whilst they are working on their dissertation. This is because it is not classed as formal University vacation for those cohorts and they are subject to the reduced working hours (normally 20 hours/week). Please see the above leaflet for further information regarding this.
How can I find a job?
Please see the University's Swansea Employability Academy website for advice and help to find temporary and part-time jobs.
Your rights at work
Workers and employees in the UK are entitled to certain employment rights including:
- Being paid at least the legally required minimum hourly wage,
- Legally defined time off work (holiday)
- Adequate rest breaks during the working day
- Protection against excessive working hours and/or unlawful discrimination.
It is important that you are aware of your employment rights to help you recognise if you are at risk of being exploited by your employer or at risk of becoming a victim of modern slavery.
Your employer should not:
- Confiscate your passport or other ID document from you
- Ask you to pay a recruitment fee
- Tell you to work an excessive number of hours*
- Pay you below the minimum hourly wage
- Pay you ‘in-kind’ e.g. force you to live in accommodation provided by the employer instead of payment for your work
- Force you to work against your will
- Coerce you to do things that you are uncomfortable with, or that you think might be illegal
If you experience any of the above or you think you might be a victim of exploitation by an employer, please contact International@CampusLife for advice immediately.
*Remember as a Student visa holder you can work between 10 – 20 hours per week during term time, depending on your course. The restrictions placed on you by your visa overrides any maximum number of working hours permitted under general employment rights. Please take a look at our International Students and Employment leaflet at the top of this page so you can understand what work you are allowed to do when holding a Student visa.
If you would like advice about your employment rights or have an issue with your employer and/or prospective employer the Students' Union Advice and Support Centre offers free and confidential advice to Swansea University students.
