Student Jobs and Minimum Salary: What UK Students Should Know

Minimum Salary in the UK

Getting Paid Fairly as a Student

Starting your first job whilst studying? Understanding minimum salary rules protects you from exploitation and helps you budget effectively throughout university.

Minimum Wage for Students Explained

Students receive the same minimum wage as any other worker in their age group. There's no separate "student rate" that pays less. If you're 21 or over, you qualify for the National Living Wage—the highest minimum pay tier.

This equality matters because many students work part-time to fund their education. Every pound counts when you're managing rent, food, and course materials.

Part-Time Work and Minimum Salary

Most student jobs are part-time, typically 10-20 hours weekly during term time. Your minimum salary calculation is straightforward: hourly rate multiplied by hours worked.

Common Student Job Sectors

Retail, hospitality, and tutoring dominate student employment. All must pay minimum wage regardless of job type. Whether you're serving coffee or stacking shelves, legal pay protections apply equally.

Avoiding Underpayment

Some employers wrongly assume students will accept lower pay. Red flags include:

  • Cash-in-hand wages below minimum rate
  • "Trial shifts" without pay
  • Deductions that push pay below minimum wage
  • Being called a "volunteer" for standard work

Your Minimum Salary Rights

Unpaid work experience and internships have strict rules. If you're doing a regular employee's job, you must receive at least minimum wage. University placements and specific training programmes have exemptions, but these are limited.

Balancing Work and Study

Knowing your minimum salary helps you calculate how many hours you need for financial goals without overwhelming your studies. Most universities recommend maximum 15-20 hours weekly during term.

International Students

If you're studying in the UK on a student visa, you're entitled to minimum wage for any legal work within your visa restrictions. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Making It Work

Understanding minimum salary rules empowers you to find legitimate work that supports your education. You deserve fair pay for your time and effort.

For complete details on current rates and how they apply to different situations, read the full guide to minimum salary in the UK.

Know your worth. Know your rights. Get paid fairly.

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