Working during your studies

All University of Sheffield students can use the Careers Service and the Student Jobshop to find part-time jobs and work experience in the UK whilst studying.

Work experience gained while you're a student, whether it is a paid job or voluntary work, is extremely valuable and will enhance your CV. Graduate employers are looking for skills such as team-working, time-management, leadership, negotiating, influencing, and communicating, which can all be enhanced by work experience.

What's On

We offer a full programme of events to help you make the most of work experience.

myVacancies for students (via MUSE)

The Careers Service vacancy database advertises part-time jobs and work experience opportunities that are degree-related or of a more general nature e.g. clerical work, data entry, restaurant/bar work etc. Login to MUSE and select the Careers tab.

Making applications

It is important that you spend time on all your applications, (even those where the job is only for a short period of time.) You can also take advantage of the CV/Application reviewing service at the Careers Library where you can have a fifteen minute appointment.

In addition we run a series of workshops specifically for International Students on CVs and Applications and Interviews. They will be advertised via the What’s On Diary and the International Bulletin.

Your 'Right to Work' in the UK

Most international students from outside the European Economic Area are allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours a week during term time and unlimited hours during the vacation periods for their course.

You can take any kind of work as long as it is not full time, permanent or self-employment/freelance work. However you must check the wording on your Passport and ID card and check the Student Union Advice Centre Web pages – see link on the right.

Balancing work and study

In order to balance your time we recommend that all students work no more than 16 hours a week during term time to ensure that their studies do not suffer.

National Insurance Number

To work in the UK everyone must have a National Insurance (NI) Number even if you are unpaid. NI numbers are quite separate from work permits and do not confer eligibility to work. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for a NI Number.

It is your responsibility, not the employer's, to apply for a NI number. Students who are actively seeking work may apply for a NI number by phoning Jobcentre Plus on: 0845 600 0643. They will then either send you the relevant paperwork to complete or make you an appointment at the local Jobcentre Plus office. On occasions the Jobshop does arrange for Jobcentre Plus to visit the campus and register students for their NI Numbers. These will be advertised on the What's On diary and the International Bulletin.

National Insurance contributions are deducted from your salary by your employer who should give you a record of contributions paid. You can earn up to £146 a week (2012-13) before you pay any National Insurance contributions. This is known as the ‘primary threshold’

National Minimum Wage

From October 2012 the National Minimum Wage is £6.19 an hour for people aged 21 and over, and £4.98 an hour for people aged 18-20

Income tax

Your employer normally takes tax from your earnings each payday and passes it on to the Inland Revenue. Everyone who earns or receives income over a certain amount in the tax year pays income tax. Generally, the more you earn the more you pay.

Everyone can receive a certain amount of income in each tax year on which no tax has to be paid (the tax year starts on 6 April and finishes on the following 5 April). The personal allowance for 2012/13 (the amount you can earn before paying tax) is £8105.

If your taxable income is more than the allowance, you pay tax only on the difference. If you have paid tax and your total taxable income for the year does not exceed your Personal Allowance, you may claim a refund.

HM Revenue and Customs

Information on National Insurance and Income Tax can be found on the Revenue and Customs website. You can also get information from the Student Advice Centre.