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The conditions of a Student visa permit work. It may be possible for you to undertake a work placement during your programme of study in certain circumstances.
Full-time placements during term-time
Students sponsored on a Student visa can only undertake full-time placements during term-time provided that:
- their programme of study is full-time and at degree level or above
- the placement is an integral and assessed part of their programme of study
- the placement must not be more than 50% of the total length of the programme of study unless there is a statutory (legal) requirement
If a student is studying a course that has a placement, this must be reflected on their CAS. The placement dates and location must be reported to the Home Office (UKVI) before the start of the placement.
Students that undertake a work placement that meets the above criteria can also take part-time work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.
During vacation periods
Students are permitted to work full-time during vacation periods so placements/internships are permitted during those periods.
Any placement/internship undertaken during vacation time must end before term-time resumes, unless it within the part-time working hours permitted by Student visa conditions and the work does conflict with the student's academic engagement expectations.
Master's students who have completed the taught element of their programme of study but are completing their dissertation or final project are not permitted to work full-time.
Restrictions on working hours for those with a Student visa are explained for each level of study in our information on visa conditions: work restrictions.
Can I be sponsored under a Student visa to undertake a placement during my programme of study?
Yes, providing it meets the following conditions:
- The placement is an integral part of the course.
- The placement is an assessed part of your course and contributes to the final mark of your programme.
- The placement does not take up more than 50% of your course (or not more than 33% if you are studying below degree level).
You should maintain contact with your faculty throughout your placement.
The University must notify UK Visas and Immigration when a student is on placement. If you are transferring to a programme with a placement year please contact us.
How long can my placement be?
If your course is at degree level or above, the placement can be up to 50% of the total length of the course.
If your course is below degree level, the placement can be up to 33% of the total length of the course.
What if I want to undertake a work placement that is not a part of my course?
Whether or not this is permitted by the conditions of your Student visa depends on when the placement is due to take place and how many hours you will work:
- outside of what is considered term-time for your programme/level of your course, a full-time work placement is permitted unless it is a type of work that is not permitted. Please refer to work restrictions.
- during term-time, a placement cannot exceed normal working hour restrictions and cannot interfere with attendance on campus
What if I want to take a full year out to undertake a placement in the UK?
If this is not an integral and assessed part of your programme of study, you will need to suspend from your course and the University will withdraw sponsorship of your Student visa. This means the University report your change of circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration and UKVI may later inform you that your Student visa will be cancelled allowing 60 days to either leave the UK or apply for permission to stay in the UK.
You will need to apply for a new visa to return to study.
You can find more information about work which is permitted while you have a Student visa in our information about visa conditions: work restrictions.
Please note: The information contained in this website is correct at the time of publication. The University of Southampton is not responsible for the content of any External Websites.
UKCISA
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - Further Information on work placements.