Working while studying: how to make it work

A degree timetable

A full-time degree does not mean 5 days of classes. Many courses, particularly those designed for adults, concentrate teaching into around 2 days a week, sometimes in the evenings or at weekends. The rest is independent study: reading, assignments and exam preparation.

Allow time for independent study: as well as classes, set aside several hours a week to study. It makes a difference.

Your earnings and your loan

The Student Finance Maintenance Loan depends on household income: your parents’ or your partner’s, depending on your circumstances. Usually, what you earn from working while studying does not reduce it.

If you have pre-settled status, working in the UK may be what gives you access to a Maintenance Loan. We explain this in Settled and pre-settled.

Universal Credit

If you study full-time, you usually cannot claim Universal Credit. There are exceptions, for example if:

• you live with a partner who is eligible;
• you are responsible for a child;
• you have reached State Pension age and your partner is younger;
• you are aged 21 or under, are on a non-advanced course and do not have parental support;
• you have limited capability for work, assessed before your course started, and receive PIP, DLA or AA.

If you already receive Universal Credit, report the change before starting: your Maintenance Loan counts as income and can affect what you receive. We will review it with you.

If you have a Student visa

On a degree or master’s course, you can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. For courses below degree level, the limit is usually 10 hours. Your visa states your exact limit.

A typical week

This is an example. Your actual timetable depends on your course and university: we will show it to you before you enrol.