- Allowed?
- Yes — within your work-hour rules
- Paid internship
- Counts toward term-time hours
- Course placement
- May not count (if assessed/integral)
- Source
- Confirm on GOV.UK
Key takeaways
- Paid internships count as work and must fit within your term-time hour limit.
- An assessed course placement may not count against your weekly limit.
- Unpaid internships still count as work under the rules.
- Confirm how a specific internship is treated under your visa and on GOV.UK.
Internships and your hours
An internship or part-time work experience is generally fine on a Student visa, but it counts as work: during term time it must fit within your permitted weekly hours (commonly 20 for degree-level study), while full-time internships are usually allowed during official holidays. This applies to paid and unpaid internships alike — unpaid work still counts toward your hour limit. Exceeding your hours is a serious breach, so plan internships around your term dates and limit.
Course placements are different
A work placement that is an assessed, integral part of your course — for example, a sandwich-year placement built into the degree — is treated differently and may not count against your weekly work-hour limit, though placement length is usually capped relative to your course. Your university arranges and confirms such placements. Because the distinction matters, always check how a specific opportunity is classified under your visa. Study UK Now helps you understand what you can do and keep within the rules. Confirm on GOV.UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I do an internship on a UK student visa?
Yes — internships are generally allowed, but a paid or unpaid internship counts as work and must fit within your permitted term-time hours (full time is usually allowed in holidays). An assessed work placement that is an integral part of your course may not count against your weekly limit. Confirm how a specific internship is treated on GOV.UK.
Does a work placement count against my student visa work hours?
Not necessarily — a work placement that is an assessed, integral part of your course may be exempt from your weekly work-hour limit, subject to course-length rules, and is arranged through your university. A general internship outside your course does count as work. Always confirm the classification of a specific opportunity under your visa.
Sources — verified June 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.