Earning and learning
For many students, part-time work or vacation work is a necessary part of student life. Combining earning with learning can help to ease financial pressures and enhance your career prospects. A well-chosen job can provide excellent work experience and give you a competitive advantage when you leave university in search of permanent employment.
It is important that you take a balanced and realistic approach to part-time work so that you can meet the requirements of your course. Working too many hours during term time will affect the quality of your academic work.
On this page:
Finding work
Employability & Careers can help you obtain a well paid job that meets with your academic commitments. It is a professional vacancy handling service to help graduates and students find full-time, part-time, work experience, placement, temporary and vacation work. Staff at the Employability & Careers can also advise on the employment rights of EU and International students.
Visit the Employability & Careers website
Income tax
You are entitled to earn a certain amount each year, known as your personal allowance, before paying income tax. In the financial year 2011-2012 (the tax year starts on 6th April and finishes on 5th April of the following year) the personal allowance for a single person without children is £7,475. More information about income tax rates and personal allowances is available at the HM Revenue and Customs tax rates and allowances web page.
If you receive payment for regular part-time work you will pay income tax if you earn more than your personal allowance. You are unlikely to pay income tax if you take a temporary job during a vacation because you will probably not earn more than your personal allowance. If you take a temporary vacation job, speak to your employer about claiming exemption from income tax.
Further information provided by the HM Revenue and Customs website includes:
- key dates for self assessment
- tax information for students
- HM Revenue and Customs leaflets and booklets.
National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage specifies the minimum amount per hour that most workers should be paid. National Minimum Wage rules do not apply to some workers, but most workers aged between 18-21 should be paid a minimum of £4.83 per hour. For workers aged 22 and over, the minimum amount is £5.80.
HM Revenue and Customs provide a confidential helpline if you require further clarification on any aspect of the minimum wage. The helpline also deals with complaints about non-payment. Call the helpline on 0800 917 2368.
More information about the minimum wage is available at the HM Revenue and Customs minimum wage website.
Further information
External links:
- UKGrapevine - a guide for people coming to the UK to work or study, including information on job hunting, tax, national insurance, bank accounts and other money matters.
