Careers and Employability Service
Services for current students

Part-time and vacation work

Student helping visitors at an open day

Finding a part-time or temporary job is important for many students. You can earn money and boost your CV at the same time!

Whatever type of work you do, don't underestimate the value of the work and the skills you have gained. We can help you reflect on your experience and articulate how this has developed your skills.

You are advised not to undertake any employment that causes you to miss any university activities or private study time. Your studies should remain your primary focus. 

Read Zoe's career insight into balancing part-time work with uni

Read Hannah's career insight: Student jobs: Are they worth it?

 

Part-time work on campus and in the local area

The university advertises part-time, casual and temporary jobs on campus and off-campus with local businesses. Created just for you, we advertise vacancies that can fit around your studies and other commitments. 

The vacancies are advertised offer: excellent rates of pay, holiday pay, complete flexibility – you choose when you work.

Roles include: social media ambassadors, research assistants, catering and hospitality staff, invigilators, sports assistants and administrative roles.

More unusual roles include: milk recorders (milking cows and collecting samples) machinery and animal technicians, seed sowing and harvesting assistants.

Don't worry if you don't have any work experience on your CV, there are plenty of opportunities you can apply for including student ambassador roles at the university's Open Days.

 

Explore the Part-time jobs and vacation work online resource

This flexible online course is designed to help you explore job opportunities and understand how to get the most out of your part-time or vacation work. You'll find practical activities and resources to build workplace skills and learn how to use your part time experiences during the recruitment process.

You can complete as much or as little of the course as you’d like, or complete the full course and accredit your achievements through the Nottingham Advantage Award.

Take a look at the online course

 

More sources of vacancies

 

International students and postgraduate researchers

International students

Most international students are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week during term time. However, this will depend on your visa so it is important to check on an individual basis.

Check UKCISA for more information

Postgraduate researchers

Before undertaking part-time work, please check with your department if there is any restriction on the number of hours you can work, especially for jobs outside the university.

Some departments offer teaching and lab work opportunities. Please check department noticeboards for vacancies and online use the part-time jobs on campus website.

Other more general opportunities exist within the university, for example resident tutor in a hall of residence. These posts are advertised on the university's website.

For information on work experience opportunities, please visit our PGR website:

Work experience opportunities

 

Your rights at work, Income Tax and National Insurance

Your rights at work

For information on your working rights in the UK such as the National Minimum Wage, the National Living Wage and working hours, please visit the following page:

Your rights at work

Income tax

When you begin work you will need a tax code which tells your employer what your personal tax allowance will be. To obtain your tax code, you will need to fill in a P46 form. 

For details of paying Income Tax visit the HMRC website or contact HM Customs and Revenue office Nottingham 0300 200 3500. 

National Insurance

If you are a UK citizen you should have been sent a card with the details of your NI number from HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC) shortly after your sixteenth birthday. If you didn't receive one or have lost it, please contact HMRC on 0300 200 3500.

If you are a non-UK citizen, you should contact Jobcentre Plus to apply for your NI number as soon as you are offered a job. Contact them on 0845 600 0643.

You will be invited to an interview at your local JobCentre Plus office. It usually takes six to 12 weeks for your application to be processed but you can still work during this time. Inform your employer as soon as you have your NI number. 

 

 

Careers and Employability Service

University of Nottingham
Portland Building, Level D
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

email: careers-team@nottingham.ac.uk