Part-Time Jobs for International Students: A Country-by-Country Guide

Can You Afford to Study Abroad Without Working?

For most international students, part-time work is not optional — it is essential. Scholarships and family savings rarely cover everything, and working part-time provides income, local work experience, language practice, and professional connections that look great on your CV after graduation.

But every country has different rules about how much international students can work, and breaking those rules can get your visa revoked. Here is exactly what you need to know for each major destination.

Germany: 120 Full Days or 240 Half Days/Year

Minimum wage: €12.82/hour (2026). Student research assistant (HiWi) positions often pay €13–16/hour.

Best student jobs: Working student (Werkstudent) positions at companies are the gold standard — they pay €14–22/hour, are in your field, and often lead to full-time offers after graduation. University HiWi positions pay less but offer research experience. Tutoring, food delivery, and hospitality are common fallback options.

Tax tip: If you earn under €10,908/year, you pay no income tax. This is the mini-job threshold that most students stay within.

German advantage: Werkstudent positions are unique to Germany — they give you real industry experience at near-professional wages while you are still a student. Many German employers specifically recruit from their Werkstudent pool.

Germany offers tuition-free education, so your part-time income goes entirely toward living costs. Read our Germany guide for detailed cost breakdowns.

United Kingdom: 20 Hours/Week During Term

Minimum wage: £11.44/hour (2025, age 21+). London Living Wage: £13.15/hour.

During term: 20 hours/week maximum. During holidays: unlimited.

Best student jobs: Campus roles (library assistant, student ambassador, research assistant), retail (Primark, Tesco, Boots), hospitality (pubs, restaurants, cafes), tutoring, and freelance work in your field. Career services at most UK universities actively help international students find part-time work.

Tax tip: You have a Personal Allowance of £12,570/year before paying any tax. Most students earning part-time wages fall below this threshold.

United States: 20 Hours/Week (On-Campus Only)

Minimum wage: $7.25/hour federal (many states are higher: California $16, New York $15, Washington $16.28).

The restriction: On an F-1 visa, you can only work on-campus during your first year. This means university bookstore, library, dining hall, research lab, or administrative office. After your first year, you may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) for off-campus work related to your field.

Best student jobs: Teaching assistantships and research assistantships are the most valuable — they often come with tuition waivers and monthly stipends. If you can secure a TA or RA position, it transforms the economics of a US degree.

Canada: 20 Hours/Week During Term (24 Hours from 2024)

Minimum wage: Varies by province — CAD $15–17.40/hour.

The change: Canada recently increased the limit from 20 to 24 hours/week during academic sessions, making it one of the most permissive countries for student employment.

During breaks: Unlimited hours.

Best student jobs: Co-op programs (paid internships integrated into your degree), campus positions, tutoring, retail, and food service. Canadian work experience counts toward permanent residency applications, so every hour you work brings you closer to PR.

Read our Canada guide for the full student-to-PR pathway.

Australia: 48 Hours/Fortnight During Term

Minimum wage: AUD $23.23/hour (one of the highest in the world).

The rule: 48 hours per fortnight (2-week period) during term, unlimited during breaks. The high minimum wage means even part-time work generates significant income.

Best student jobs: Hospitality (cafes, restaurants — tipping culture means extra cash), retail, tutoring, farm work during breaks (fruit picking can pay well), and internships in your field through university career services.

Universal Tips for Finding Student Jobs

1. Start with your university. Check the careers portal, student employment office, and department job boards first. On-campus jobs are the easiest to get and most accommodating of student schedules.

2. Network. Many student jobs are never advertised. Ask second-year students, attend department events, and connect with professors who hire research assistants.

3. Build skills that pay more. Generic retail pays minimum wage. Tutoring, coding, graphic design, and freelance writing pay 2–3x more. Invest in a skill before you arrive.

Make Work Optional, Not Mandatory

The ideal situation is having enough scholarship funding that working is a choice, not a necessity. Browse fully funded scholarships that cover living expenses, so you can focus on studying and work only for experience, not survival.

Use our AI Study Match to find programs with the best funding packages for your profile.

Plan Your Study Abroad Budget

Part-time work helps, but scholarships can cover even more. Browse fully funded scholarships that include living stipends, so you can focus on studying.

Explore our destination guides for cost of living breakdowns in 30+ countries to plan your budget before you go.