UK Student Visa Work Hours 2026: 20 Hours, £12.71 Minimum Wage and London Rent
Knowing your student visa work hours in the UK protects both your income and your visa. Most degree-level students can work up to 20 hours a week in term time. But with London rent averaging £2,332 a month, part-time work alone will not cover your costs. Here is what you can earn and what you need to plan for.
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Last checked: 29 September 2026. Sources include GOV.UK, UKCISA and the ONS. Your exact work conditions are shown on your visa or eVisa. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Student visa work hours: how many can you work?
| Level of study | Term time | Official vacations |
|---|---|---|
| Degree level and above | Up to 20 hours a week | Full time |
| Below degree level | Up to 10 hours a week | Full time |
A “week” is any 7-day period starting on a Monday. After your course ends, you can work full time until your visa expires. Always check the conditions on your own eVisa.
Minimum wage from April 2026
| Age | Hourly rate from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| 21 and over | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 and apprentices | £8.00 |
At 20 hours a week and £12.71 an hour, you earn about £254 a week before tax, or roughly £1,100 a month in term time (our calculation).
Jobs you cannot do
- Self-employment or freelancing, including delivery apps where you work for yourself.
- Permanent full-time jobs.
- Professional sport or sports coaching.
- Paid work as an entertainer.
Breaking these rules, or going over your student visa work hours, can lead to your visa being cancelled. See our part-time work rules guide.
Rent reality: London vs the rest of the UK
Average private rents in August 2026 (ONS, whole properties):
| Area | Average monthly rent |
|---|---|
| London | £2,332 |
| England | £1,459 |
| UK | £1,400 |
| Scotland | £1,013 |
| Wales | £846 |
Students usually rent rooms, which cost less than these whole-property averages. The ONS does not publish room rents.
Proof of funds rises on 30 November 2026
| Location | Now | From 30 November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 a month | £1,570 a month |
| Outside London | £1,171 a month | £1,203 a month |
You must show up to 9 months of these amounts, held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application. The visa fee is £558. See the maintenance funds update.
Can your student visa work hours cover your costs?
In London, 20 hours a week at £12.71 brings in about £1,100 a month before tax. A shared room, food, transport and phone can easily take all of that. Outside London, costs are lower. Plan to cover most living costs from savings or family support, and treat work as extra help.
Dependants
Since 1 January 2024, only students on PhD or research-based postgraduate courses, or government-sponsored students, can bring dependants. Where allowed, dependants need £845 a month in London or £680 outside London.
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