How UK Student Visa Jobs in Security Work

Studying in the UK is brilliant, but earning money in the UK is even better! It’s no secret that security work is in high demand, all over the UK. Whether it’s door supervisors to work club doors and protect corporate offices, or CCTV operators keeping the public safe from afar, the need for talent and diversity is massive.

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However, knowing how, where and when you can work is very important. Every university has its own rules on students working, and it will similarly depend on the subjects you’re studying as well. The brilliant news is, security work is versatile enough to fit so many UK student visa jobs.

UK student visa jobs have government support

The UK government has made sure students in the UK are able to earn money in work. There are a few rules, such as not being able to be self-employed and not being able to practise medicine, but you still have lots of options.

These opportunities are always welcome! Tier 4 UK student visa jobs are permitted as long as they don’t disrupt your studies. In most cases, you’ll be able to work full-time only in breaks like summer and Christmas, and 20-hour workweeks during term-time.

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Make sure you check the rules in your visa paperwork. For example, some students might find they’re limited to working only 10 hours per week during term-time.

Keep in mind it’s important to declare yourself to the police as a foreign national in many instances. Any time you’re in doubt, you can speak with your home embassy.

Which UK student visa jobs aren’t allowed

Extra money in your pocket is definitely a good thing. However, you should remember that your student visa has certain limits on the kind of work you’re allowed to do during your time in the UK.

For example, you’re not allowed to be self-employed. It’s important to remember this if you’re taking a security course, because some security jobs are actually self-employed positions. Make sure to check this when you work in security.

There are other jobs out of your reach when you have this kind of student visa too, like work in entertainment or professional sports.

Why security jobs are perfect for overseas students in the UK

Because the UK private security industry is facing such a shortage of workers, the fact students from overseas can work in the UK is brilliant. You’re likely to get hired fast, once you’ve got your SIA Licence.

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Remember, on your visa, it’s likely you’re able to take on full-time hours during summer and Christmas, and that could mean you earn up to £2,500 per month working in security.

You can also make the most of the Graduate Route incentive brought in for students after July 2021. This is an official way of upgrading your visa, your citizenship and your rights to work in the UK after your university life is over.

That’s perfect if you want to bring your career into a longer term plan for living in the UK. However, just as many people use their SIA Licence to work in security as a side-job, or a backup plan to get work fast if something else goes wrong.

Get licensed, get working, get earning

Flexibility in security work makes it an industry that synchs up nicely with your studies. The need for diversity and new security professionals means that UK student visa jobs as a door supervisor, security guard or CCTV operator are easy to get. That means it’s easy to learn, and that’s perfect for a country as expensive as the UK.

The key to all this is your SIA Licence. To get one, you need to have completed a security course that matches the kind of work you want to do. The Door Supervisor Licence is very versatile, so a lot of people choose this because it unlocks work in staffing club doors, guarding shops, patrolling offices and museums and so on.

The steps to get licensed might feel daunting, but they don’t need to be. We have all the resources you need to get to work quickly, from advice on passing your course, to support for your training events and cost-spreading deals.

Don’t forget our free GuardPass app either! With access to e-learning material, mock tests to keep your skills sharp, and everything you need to pass your course with confidence, this puts the power in your pocket in more ways than one.

Looking for jobs? 

To find the latest security jobs, check out our Jobs Board, which has 1,000+ jobs from the UK’s best security companies. 

If you’re on the hunt for a security job on the go, download the GuardPass app for all the latest jobs and more. The GuardPass App is available for download on the Apple App Store or on the Google Play Store.