Careers

Working in the UK
Students on courses of more than 6 months will be given a visa which allows them to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time during the vacations.
For further information please see UKCOSA Guidance Note entitled 'Working during your studies'.

What happens after graduation
It may be possible for you to stay on in the UK for practical training or work experience or for full-time employment.  Any non UK/EU graduate will require a work permit to work in the UK after graduation.  For detailed information please visit the UK section of Work Permit Webiste.

Further information on working in the UK can also be obtained from the UKCOSA Guidance Note entitled ‘Working after your studies’.

Bucks careers support
Make the most of Bucks Careers & Employment Service and make an appointment to speak to one of our Careers Advisers who can provide one to one guidance and help in preparing your CV, how to complete an application form, tips on job interview etc.

For all Bucks students the Careers Support Team maintain a database of job opportunities both full time and part time on their web pages: www.bucks.ac.uk/careers

Preparing to work: national insurance numbers
If you are working in the UK you will need a National Insurance Number. This number identifies you and helps ensure that you are paying the correct rates of income tax.  You’ll keep this number throughout your life.

To apply for a NI Number, you’ll need to make an appointment to be interviewed at your local Department of Social Security Office, Job Centre or Jobcentre Plus Office. Once an appointment has been made, you must take along the following documents:

• your passport
• proof of your UK address (i.e. a letter from the Student Centre)
• a letter/contract from your employer, stating when you received your job offer or start date, the hourly rate which you will be paid and the duration of your employment

You’ll be able to start work before you receive your National Insurance Number. However, as applications can take between three and twelve weeks, it’s important to ask for a letter at your appointment that confirms your temporary number and states that you’ve submitted a formal application.  When your number has been issued you will receive a plastic card with your number.

Preparing to Work: Income Tax
Everybody in the UK has to pay Income Tax if they earn over the stated government threshold.  If you work for an employer, they will tax you at source. This means that they take the tax that you need to pay and give it to HM Revenue & Customs. The scheme is called Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

If it’s your first job in the UK, you can ask your employer for form P46 or you
can download the form from the Inland Revenue website.  This is very important as it
ensures you are paying the right amount of tax if applicable.  If you think that your income will be less than £4,745, you can ask your employer for form P38 which can also be downloaded from the Inland Revenue website.  Your employer will then pay you without deducting tax.