If you're an international student you may not need permission to work here when you're studying. If your home country is in the European Economic Area, or you're a Swiss national, you can work without restrictions unless you are a national of one of the newer European Union accession states.

If you are a student from an A2 country(The countries that joined the EU in 2007(Bulgaria and Romania)) you will need permission from the UK Border Agency to work. You will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during vacations, or if you are on a vocational course. If you are a student from an A8 country and you wish to work. You should always check with the UK Border Agency.

Working in the UK (UK Border Agency website)

Otherwise, you should check the visa stamp in your passport. If it says 'prohibited' you can't work in the UK. If it grants you leave to enter or remain in the UK as a student, you can work here provided you don't:

work more than 20 hours a week during term time, unless the employment is part of your studies, or is an internship
engage in business, are not self-employed and don't provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer
take a permanent full-time position.

Everyone who has permission to work in Ireland has the same rights in the workplace, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. This means that you have a right to a legal contract, to lawful hours of work, to a salary at or above the minimum wage and other entitlements as set out in Irish law, including holiday leave, sick leave, parental leave and the right to join a union.

However, you should be aware that an employer is not legally required to offer working hours that suit an employee's study timetable. If there is a possibility of conflicting demands between studies and a job, it is important to discuss these issues and agree on suitable arrangements as part of accepting any offer of employment.

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 30 December 2012
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