Employer guide
Employer guide to hiring students
What you need to know to hire students for part-time work in the UK. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Part 1
Why hire students
Students can bring flexibility, energy and up to date skills to your team.
What students offer
- Availability for evenings and weekends
- Extra hands during busy seasons and university vacations
- Motivation to learn and gain experience
- Confidence with digital tools
Roles that often suit students
- Customer service
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Admin support
- Tutoring
- Events
- Social media
- Data entry
- Warehouse and logistics
Part 2
Your legal responsibilities
The main rules when you employ a student.
Pay at least the minimum wage
The rate depends on the worker’s age. See the rates below.
Check the right to work before they start
Do a right to work check (opens in a new tab) before the first shift. Student visa holders give you a share code so you can check online. Keep a record of the check.
Respect Student visa hour limits
Ask for the student’s term and vacation dates and keep weekly hours within the limit on their eVisa during term time.
Give a written statement from day one
Every worker is entitled to a written statement of employment particulars (opens in a new tab) on or before their first day.
Rest breaks and holiday
Adult workers get a 20 minute break when they work more than 6 hours in a day, and 5.6 weeks of paid holiday (opens in a new tab) a year in proportion to their hours.
Health, safety and payroll
Provide a safe workplace and proper training. Run pay through PAYE.
Right to work check
Work through these steps for every new starter before their first shift. Tick each one as you go.
0 of 6 steps done
A share code and date of birth for eVisa holders, or a passport for UK and Irish citizens.
Use view a right to work (opens in a new tab) and match the photo to the person.
With the person present, in person or on a live video call.
For Student visa holders, the weekly hour limit and their term dates.
While they work for you and for 2 years after.
If their permission to work has an end date.
Ticks are not saved. Full guidance on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).
Student work hours
20 hours
a week in term time
Full time
in official vacations
Check the exact limit on your eVisa.
Source GOV.UK (opens in a new tab). General information, not legal advice.
Minimum wage
- 21 and over
- £12.71an hour
- 18 to 20
- £10.85an hour
- 16 to 17
- £8.00an hour
- Apprentices
- £8.00an hour
From 1 April 2026. Apprentice rate applies under 19 or in the first year. Source GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Why the checks matter
You can face a civil penalty for employing someone who does not have the right to do the work. A Student visa holder who works more hours than allowed also risks their visa.Part 3
Writing a good job post
The role
- A clear job title students will recognise
- The main duties and a typical shift
- Skills needed, and whether it suits beginners
- Whether training is provided
The practical details
- Where the work is
- Hours per week and shift patterns
- Hourly pay, at or above the minimum wage for the age group
- Start date and how long the job lasts
Wording that works
Try
- Flexible hours around your studies
- Evening and weekend shifts
- Term time or vacation work
Avoid
- Must be available 9am to 5pm on weekdays
- Work must come before studies
Part 4
Interviewing and choosing
Good practice
- Offer interview times outside lecture hours, including evenings or online
- Ask about availability across the academic year
- Look for potential, not only experience
- Assess reliability, communication and willingness to learn
- Explain the role and expectations clearly
Useful interview questions
- What hours can you work each week in term time and in vacations?
- When are your exams and coursework deadlines?
- How will you balance this job with your studies?
- Why does this job interest you?
- Which skills from your course or past jobs would help here?
Points to watch
Be cautious if a candidate offers more term time hours than their visa allows or has not thought about how work fits around their studies. Do not ask about protected characteristics such as age, religion or nationality, beyond the lawful right to work check.Part 5
Managing student staff
- Exams and deadlines
- Build flexibility into your rota and agree reduced hours around exam periods in advance.
- Staff leaving at graduation
- Recruit steadily through the year and offer references to students who leave on good terms.
- Different levels of experience
- Give structured training and pair new starters with experienced colleagues.
Part 6
Using PartTime UK
Two options, with no subscriptions. Every job includes applications and messaging in your account.
What it costs
- Price
- Standard: FreeSponsored: £5, paid once
- Time live
- Standard: 30 daysSponsored: 45 days
- Position in search results
- Standard: Standard orderSponsored: Shown before standard jobs
See every detail on our pricing page.
| Feature | StandardFree | Shown firstSponsored£5 per job |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | £5, paid once |
| Time live | 30 days | 45 days |
| Position in search results | Standard order | Shown before standard jobs |
Ready to post?
Posting takes a few minutes. You can start with a standard job and sponsor it later. When a job expires you can renew it for £1 and it goes live again for 30 days, or renew it as sponsored for £5 for 45 days.
A sponsored job can help when
- You need to fill the role quickly
- Many similar jobs are advertised in your area
- You want the job live for longer
Included with every job
- Applications in your account
- Messaging with candidates
- Edit or close your job at any time
- Report users or messages that concern you
Ready to hire?
Post your first job free and start receiving applications.