If you plan to work part-time in the UK, the minimum wage sets the floor for what you can earn. It changes every April and depends on your age. This guide gives the 2026 rates, how many hours international students can work, what you might earn in a week and what deductions to expect, checked against GOV.UK on 27 October 2026.
- From 1 April 2026 the UK National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is 12.71 pounds an hour, up from 12.21 pounds
- The rate is 10.85 pounds for workers aged 18 to 20 and 8.00 pounds for under-18s and apprentices, according to GOV.UK
- Rates change every 1 April.
What Is the UK Minimum Wage Per Hour in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the UK minimum wage per hour is 12.71 pounds for workers aged 21 and over, called the National Living Wage. Workers aged 18 to 20 get at least 10.85 pounds, and under-18s and apprentices get at least 8.00 pounds. Most international master's students are 21 or over and qualify for 12.71 pounds.
| UK minimum wage 2026 | From 1 April 2026 | April 2025 to March 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | 12.71 pounds | 12.21 pounds |
| 18 to 20 | 10.85 pounds | 10.00 pounds |
| Under 18 | 8.00 pounds | 7.55 pounds |
| Apprentice | 8.00 pounds | 7.55 pounds |
The minimum wage applies to all workers, including international students with the right to work. Your employer must pay at least the rate for your age, whatever the job. If you are paid less, you can raise it with your employer or report it to HM Revenue and Customs.
Some employers pay more than the legal minimum. The real Living Wage is a separate, voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation, and it is higher, especially in London. Check whether employers you apply to are accredited.
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Students on a degree-level course can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations, according to UKCISA. Below-degree courses usually allow 10 hours a week. Your exact limit is printed on your visa, and you cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson.
Term time is set by your university, and the dissertation period for master's students usually counts as term time. Your limit applies to each week, not as an average, so taking 25 hours one week and 15 the next breaks the rule. Breaking work conditions can lead to your visa being cancelled.
How Much Can You Earn on the UK Minimum Wage?
At 12.71 pounds an hour, 20 hours a week earns 254.20 pounds before deductions, or about 1,017 pounds over four weeks. Working full time in vacations at 37.5 hours a week earns about 477 pounds a week. Actual pay depends on your hours, your age band and whether your employer pays more than the minimum.
| Weekly earnings 2026 (21 and over) | Hours | Pay before deductions |
|---|---|---|
| Term time, maximum | 20 | 254.20 pounds |
| Term time, typical | 15 | 190.65 pounds |
| Vacation, full time | 37.5 | 476.63 pounds |
Part-time pay can cover a good share of living costs outside London, but rarely all of them. Students we interviewed said the pay helps, and one Liverpool master's student earned 12.50 pounds an hour tutoring 16 hours a week, saying it covered most of his living expenses.
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You pay income tax only on annual earnings above the personal allowance, which is 12,570 pounds. Many students who work 20 hours a week in term time stay close to or below this. National Insurance may apply on weekly earnings above the threshold. Get a National Insurance number and check your payslips for the right tax code.
If your employer uses an emergency tax code, you may pay too much tax at first. This is usually corrected through later payslips or a refund from HM Revenue and Customs. Keep your payslips and your P60 or P45, because you may need them for refunds or future visa applications.
Which Part-Time Jobs Do International Students Do in the UK?
Common jobs include retail, hospitality, warehouse and delivery roles, campus jobs such as student ambassador or library assistant, and tutoring. Campus roles often fit around classes and may pay above the minimum. Find jobs through your university careers service, job boards such as Indeed, and career fairs.
A Coventry student told us a career fair led to a part-time job, and others told us it can take weeks to find work, so start looking soon after you arrive. Delivery apps where you work for yourself usually count as self-employment, which is not allowed on a Student visa.
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It can cover part of them, not all. For the visa, GOV.UK requires 1,171 pounds a month outside London and 1,529 pounds in London. Twenty hours a week at 12.71 pounds earns about 1,017 pounds over four weeks before deductions, so part-time pay helps outside London but rarely covers London costs on its own.
Rent is usually the largest cost, followed by food and transport. Students who share a flat, cook at home and live outside the big cities find part-time pay goes much further. In London, even full use of your 20 hours a week usually leaves a gap that family support or savings must fill.
Do not plan your finances around part-time work before you have a job. The Home Office expects you to show the full maintenance funds for your visa, and finding a role can take weeks. Treat earnings as a way to reduce how much you draw on savings, and keep your hours within your visa limit.
When Does the UK Minimum Wage Change Next?
UK minimum wage rates change every year on 1 April. The government usually announces the next year's rates in the autumn, after advice from the Low Pay Commission. Rates from April 2027 had not been confirmed on GOV.UK when we checked on 27 October 2026, so check before you plan your budget.
If you arrive in September, you will usually see one rate rise during a one-year master's. Your employer should update your pay automatically from 1 April. If your birthday moves you into a higher age band, your pay should rise from your next pay period.