Placements

Work placements during study can only be undertaken in certain circumstances.

Information on the work conditions of the Student visa can be found on our Student visa conditions webpage.

Full-time placements during term-time

Students sponsored on a Student visa can only undertake full-time placements during term-time provided that:

• their programme of study is full-time and at degree level or above

and

• the placement is an integral and assessed part of their programme of study

and

• the placement must not be more than 50% of the total length of their programme of study unless there is a statutory (legal) requirement for a higher percentage to be undertaken

If a student is studying a course that has a placement, this must be reflected on the CAS they used to obtain their Student visa.  The placement dates and location must be reported to the Home Office (UKVI) before the start of the placement.

Students that undertake a work placement that meets the above criteria can also take part-time work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

During vacation periods

Students are permitted to work full-time during vacation periods so placements/internships are permitted during those periods.

Any placement/internship undertaken during vacation time must end before term-time resumes, unless it within the part-time working hours permitted by their Student visa conditions and the work does not conflict with the student's academic engagement expectations .

Undergraduate students

Typically have a summer vacation between academic years.

Master's students

The summer period (after the end of the taught element) is the dissertation period.  Master's students are not permitted to work full-time during the dissertation period.  Work placements undertaken during the summer can only be full-time if they are an integral and assessed part of their programme and meet all other conditions stated above.  Part-time placements can be undertaken provided that the type of work is permitted by their Student visa conditions and the work does not conflict with the student's academic engagement expectations .

Postgraduate research students

If you are a research student, it is unlikely that a work placement will form part of your programme of study.  The Doctoral College will confirm at offer stage if your programme of study includes an integral and assessed work placement.

You can find more information about work which is permitted while you have a Student visa in our information about visa conditions: work restrictions .

Please note : The information contained in this website is correct at the time of publication. The University of Southampton is not responsible for the content of any External Websites.