# Can I do an internship on a UK student visa?

> Yes — internships are usually allowed within your work-hour limit; assessed course placements may not count against it.

International students can generally do internships on a UK Student visa, but a paid internship counts as work and must fit within your permitted weekly hours during term time (full time is usually allowed in holidays). A work placement that is an assessed, integral part of your course is treated differently and may not count against your weekly limit, subject to course-length rules. Unpaid internships still count as work. Always confirm how a specific internship is treated under your visa, and check GOV.UK.

## Quick facts
- **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.

## 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
- [GOV.UK — Student visa: work](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/work) — GOV.UK

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Verified: 2026-06-17