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Updated: 10-Jul-2009

Part-time work for students

This page contains information for students who want to do part-time paid work while studying at Buckingham.

Working in the UK
National Insurance numbers
Possible part-time work opportunities

Working in the UK

The UK has eased restrictions on international students taking paid employment.

International students who are studying in the UK and who have in their passports a stamp stating that they cannot work "without the consent of the Secretary of State for Employment …", are no longer required to obtain consent on an individual basis to:

  • take vacation work and part-time work while studying.
  • undertake work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course' .
  • undertake internship placements with an employer while studying in the UK.

This means that such students now have blanket permission to take work and no longer have to apply for a work permit, so long as they meet the general requirements about the type of work they take and the number of hours they work while studying. Students can work a maximum of 16 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during vacation. This also applies to internships and work placements.

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National Insurance numbers

You should apply for a NI number if you have started or about to start work. For these applications you should telephone +44 (0)845 600 0643 between 08:00 and 20:00, Monday to Friday, to make an appointment. For more information, see: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/ynino.htm (external link).

You may need to bring the following documents to your appointment:

General documents:

  • Passport
  • National identity card
  • Birth certificate
  • Full driving licence
  • Home Office documents
  • 2 or more passports if you are of dual- or multi-nationality
  • Student loan documents
  • Student identity card
  • Letter L1ANI from Registry

Employment documents:

  • A letter from your employer
  • Your contract of employment
  • Details of any employment agencies you are registered with.
  • Evidence that you are actively looking for work

NOTES

  • It takes on average 4-6 weeks for the letter to arrive with the National Insurance Number.
  • In theory an employer cannot refuse to employ or interview you because you do not have a National Insurance Number.
  • The employer issues you with a temporary National Insurance Number for tax purposes.

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Possible part-time work opportunities

Places to try:

  • Tesco
  • Petrol filling stations
  • White Hart Hotel
  • Villiers Hotel.

Places to look:

  • Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser (local paper)
  • Citizen (Milton Keynes local paper)
  • MK News (Milton Keynes free paper)

Recruitment agencies:

  • Jobs in the Office
    23 Market Hill
    Buckingham
    MK18 1JX
    Tel: +44 (0)1280 814433  
  • Ashley James Recruitment
    1 West Street
    Buckingham
    MK18 1HL
    Tel: +44 (0)1280 821111   
  • SOS Recruitment
    Suite Ten, Borough House
    Marlborough Road
    Banbury
    Oxon
    OX16 5TH
    Tel: +44 (0)1295 252513
    Email: vickyb@sosrecruit.co.uk

Companies:

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