Finding Part-time While a Student

Hello all...

So after feeling pretty down in the dumps about the cost of moving to the UK if I were to find a job, I've been looking into getting my masters in the UK instead. I'm actually looking at Scotland--Glasgow, actually. But my hubby and I would both have to work to make this feasible. I understand that I would apply for a student visa, and he could come as my dependent/partner. We both could work 20 hours per week.

So it is hard to find part time work? He may put in some applications with some American companies before we come over to get a head start. For myself, should I just try to get a job waitressing or would there be more professional (for lack of a better term) type of jobs available?

Any insight would be appreciated!

So after feeling pretty down in the dumps about the cost of moving to the UK if I were to find a job, I've been looking into getting my masters in the UK instead. I'm actually looking at Scotland--Glasgow, actually. But my hubby and I would both have to work to make this feasible. I understand that I would apply for a student visa, and he could come as my dependent/partner. We both could work 20 hours per week.

This could work in theory, though in order to even get the visa in the first place, you have to show that you have enough money that you won't need to work during your studies.

In order to qualify for the visa you need to have the first year of tuition + living costs for you + living costs for your husband available to you either in your bank account in full for at least 28 days, or via approved US loans which will be disbursed to you while you are in the UK.

For example, for the University of Glasgow (though international tuition fees are similar at most universities), you're looking at needing:

- Tuition fees for one year:
  - £14,500 (Arts and Social Science degrees) or
  - £18,500 (Science and Engineering College or Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences College)or
  - £33,000 (clinical medicine/dentistry/veterinary science)

PLUS

Living costs for yourself (amount required from 12 Nov 2015)
- £1,015 per month for 9 months = £9,135

PLUS

Living costs for your husband (amount required from 12 Nov 2015)
- £680 per month for 9 months = £6,120

So, in total, you will need to have the following amount in tuition plus living costs available to you before you apply for the visa:

- £29,775 (Arts/Social Sciences degree)
or
- £33,775 (Science/Engineering/non-clinical medical degree)
or
- £48,225 (clinical medicine/dentistry/veterninary sciences degree)

Converting that to USD, you would need to have a minimum of $45,000  available to you in order to qualify for a student visa and a dependant visa for you and your husband.

So it is hard to find part time work? He may put in some applications with some American companies before we come over to get a head start. For myself, should I just try to get a job waitressing or would there be more professional (for lack of a better term) type of jobs available?

Just depends on the availability of part time work in the area when you arrive. You can't take a permanent position on a Tier 4 visa and a masters degree requires a lot of work, so I suppose most students will end up taking jobs in retail or bars/restaurants to supplement the tuition fees and living costs that they've shown they already have.

Thank you.

According to the UK's visa site, as of November 5th (I think) proof of income is not needed for members of low risk countries. The US is one of those countries. Of course, they say you have to have it in the bank in case they ask.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427532/pbs-tier-4_guide_to_supporting_documents.pdf [nofollow]

I will be applying for US Financial Aid as University of Glasgow is one of the schools where you can use US loans. Living expenses are calculated into that amount, but I would prefer to have some way to make rent and groceries so I don't return to the US with a ton of debt.

Thank you.

According to the UK's visa site, as of November 5th (I think) proof of income is not needed for members of low risk countries. The US is one of those countries. Of course, they say you have to have it in the bank in case they ask.

Yes, this has been the case for a few years now - if you are in the US, you don't need to provide the evidence for the application.

However, you MUST have the money available because they may ask to see your evidence of it.

I will be applying for US Financial Aid as University of Glasgow is one of the schools where you can use US loans. Living expenses are calculated into that amount, but I would prefer to have some way to make rent and groceries so I don't return to the US with a ton of debt.

Sure, US loans (usually FAFSA or Sallie Mae) are how most people fund their degrees in the UK as international students .

Just wanted to make sure you were aware that even if you plan to work, you still need to have enough money to cover all those things anyway before you can apply for the visa.

What kind of work is your husband looking to do when you're here? I believe, although others on here will know better than I, that stricter regulations on Tier 4 visas mean your husband, as a dependent, can ONLY do skilled work while he's here. That could work in your favour as he'll make more money. Or it could make life difficult as competition is rampant for skilled jobs and he may find it hard to find someone to hire him if they think he'll be leaving the country in a year and he can only work 20 hours. Has he had a look around job boards over here to get an idea?

I live in Glasgow right near Glasgow Uni and I really don't want to sound negative but you can't rely on getting a 20-hour job for both of you right away. There are loads of people lining up to do even low-paid unskilled work here. You may be fine but I would suggest building up a buffer of money. I know most students are broke but you wouldn't want to be caught out 

Oh and if you wanted any advice about Glasgow, I'm happy to help!