Information for International Students

The Global Centre for Students and Partnerships has collated the information on these pages to assist you. Please use the tabs to find all you need to become a successful student.
Getting to know Liverpool
Visit our Living in Liverpool pages for further info on the city, and download our Living in Liverpool Guide.
Gateway service desk at Hope Park
The Service Desk is based on the ground floor of the Gateway Building and the friendly staff are trained in all aspects of student life. They can help you with a wide range of questions and issues – just call in or email gateway@hope.ac.uk.
Our campuses
We have three campuses – Hope Park and the Creative Campus are teaching campuses with accommodation on site and the third, Aigburth Park, is an accommodation only campus – for more information go to our campuses pages.
To download a campus map on the How to find us pages.
It is important to engage with campus life as much as you can, especially if you don’t live on campus. Make sure you attend any induction or orientation sessions in the first few weeks – these are a great way to get to know your class mates before classes start.
To get the most out of your experience, we recommend that you join a club or society through the Students Union – they have a Freshers’ Fair in undergraduate induction week but you can join any time – further information is available on the Hope SU website. The SU Officers are based in the Senior Common Room, by Fresh Hope.
Security on campus
You will notice that we have a Security Lodge at each campus – the staff are there to ensure the security of staff and students 24 hours a day, plus they are first-aid trained and very knowledgeable about student life, so if you need help after office hours, at the weekend, or in an emergency, just ask at the nearest Security Lodge. It’s a great idea to put their phone number in your phone, just in case you ever need it:
- Hope Park - 0151 291 3520 / emergencies 0151 291 3800
- Creative Campus - 0151 291 3999 / emergencies 0151 292 3700
- Aigburth Park - 07736106185 / emergencies 0151 291 3095
Shuttle bus
The University offers a shuttle bus service between the three campuses – this is free as long as you can show your ID card to the driver. Buses leave each campus location about once an hour from Monday to Friday in term time. You can view the timetable online, or collect one from the Gateway Service Desk. Please note that the Shuttle Bus only stops at the campus drop-off points and does not stop to pick up or let passengers off en-route.
Catering outlets
There are a number of restaurants, coffee shops and social spaces at Hope Park and the Creative Campus serving a range of food and drinks. You can also purchase ready-made sandwiches and snacks from the shop at Hope Park. Food from our restaurants may be available to take away with you – just ask for take-away (to go) packaging when you order. For further information and opening time look at the Catering page on the website.
Useful contacts
- Main Switchboard for University: +44 (0)151 291 3000
- Security Lodges (24 hours):
- Hope Park - 0151 291 3520
- Creative Campus - 0151 291 3999
- Aigburth Park - 07736106185
- Gateway Service Desk: +44 (0)151 291 3813 gateway@hope.ac.uk
- Global Centre: +44 (0)151 291 3389 globalcentre@hope.ac.uk
- International Recruitment (pre-application): international@hope.ac.uk
- Student Enrolment (Admissions): admission@hope.ac.uk
- Visa Compliance: studentimmigration@hope.ac.uk
- Accommodation: accommodation@hope.ac.uk
- Library: askalibrarian@hope.ac.uk
- Student Life: studentlife@hope.ac.uk
- Chaplaincy: chaplaincy@hope.ac.uk
Planning
When you received your offer letter you can start to plan for your arrival. There is a lot to think about but if you break it down into separate tasks, it will be more manageable. The main things to prioritise are your Visa, your accommodation and your travel arrangements.
When should you arrive?
Please check your course start date, including Induction week and make sure you arrive in time.
If you are a visa holder, please note that you should not use the 'Final Start Date' on your CAS letter as a guide - this is not the date you should arrive.
Induction week is the week before teaching starts - please make sure you attend any timetabled sessions and check your student Gmail account for messages from your Tutors about links to Zoom meetings or face-to-face introductory sessions and workshops.
You may like to arrive earlier than your course start date, for example, if you want to do some travelling - this is fine as long as you arrive after the start date on your visa. If you arrive earlier, you will not be allowed entry to the UK.
Please be aware that you cannot move into campus accommodation any earlier than the contract start date, so you will have to find your own accommodation if you arrive earlier. If you are going to live off campus, check the start date on your private room contract to see when you can move in.
Regardless of where you live, please let the Global Centre know when you are planning to travel and when you have arrived in the country – email globalcentre@hope.ac.uk.
Your visa
Please see our Immigration and Visa information for advice on the type of visa you need and how to apply for it. There are strict deadlines attached to various stages of the Admissions process and these are non-negotiable, so make sure you are proceeding through the Visa application stages in time to meet the deadlines. We understand that Visa Application Centres (VACs) in some countries are still very slow in processing visas, but if you miss a deadline, even through no fault of your own, we will not allow you to be admitted on your course.
Please note that if you are entering the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, you must purchase a Comprehensive Health Insurance policy before you travel. You are only entitled to basic primary health care from the NHS on this type of Visa.
Your accommodation
There are two options for student accommodation in Liverpool:
- you can live in Halls of Residence on one of our campuses - we accommodate students at every level of study. You can apply online for accommodation. You can apply before you have met all the conditions of your course. A deposit is payable when you accept your room offer – this is refunded after you leave (conditions apply)
- you can live in private accommodation in the community or city centre - to search for private accommodation, we only recommend the university-sponsored agency, Liverpool Student Homes. You may find it difficult to secure a tenancy before you arrive in the UK, especially if you are bringing a spouse or family, so please ensure that you have arranged temporary accommodation for at least the first six weeks after arrival, as it can take a long time to find suitable accommodation. Private landlords in the UK usually need an rent guarantor with a UK address, plus they will carry out credit checks.
It is quite difficult to secure a tenancy from overseas as it is hard to make a commitment to something you have not seen in person and you if you don’t know the area. Some landlords like to offer face-to-face viewings with prospective tenants and if there is more than one person interested in the property, they are likely to give it to the person already in the UK.
Advertised rents are non-negotiable and landlords have set procedures and deadlines for payment, therefore, if a deposit is required to secure the property, you have to pay it by the deadline, or the landlord may pass the offer to someone else.
Please note that, in England, when you sign a contract, it becomes legally binding in law and cannot be ended unless both parties agree - it is very unlikely that a landlord would agree to this. Therefore, you should be very certain before signing a contract, or paying a deposit, as you may be liable for the rent until the end of the tenancy, even if you do not move in, or leave before the end.
Student lettings at the lowest end of the price range consist of a room in a shared house where you share the bathroom and kitchen with up to six other students - these houses tend to be noisy and untidy with little privacy, but can be fun for single students. They are more affordable at about £450-500 per month. These properties are usually in areas where there are high numbers of students and rents are low, but they are slightly less secure than ‘purpose-built’ student accommodation. If anything goes wrong - for example if the cooker stops working, you may have to wait longer to get a repair done. Bills are usually included. You may have to pay for the internet package. This type of property is not usually available to couples and never to families.
Purpose-built student accommodation tends to be in and around the city centre, which is about a half-hour bus ride from Hope Park. These large blocks of en-suite rooms (shared kitchen) and studios (private kitchen) usually have a concierge service and access to communal laundry rooms and other facilities. Studios may be available to couples but not families. Rents are at the higher end of the price range at around £750 per month including bills. Generally they are more secure than shared houses.
If you are in a couple or have children, you will find it much more difficult to find suitable property within the ‘student lettings’ sector. Private tenancies (non-student properties) are possible if one of you is working full-time, but the deposits are much higher (up to £3,000) and you have to pay heating, lighting, water and internet bills as well as rent, so it does become expensive.
Please note if someone in your household is not a full-time student, you will not receive a full exemption to Council Tax (local tax - different to income tax).
You may like to consider booking an Airbnb or other temporary accommodation to allow yourself time to look around and find a suitable property after arrival, but please bear in mind that temporary bookings fall into the 'hotel' sector and tend to be about £80-100 per night. You need to allow up to eight weeks to secure a suitable property, which may seem a long time, but after finding a property, the landlord will complete credit checks and contact your Guarantor which can take several weeks.
Student properties that are suitable for couples and families are so hard to find, that you may need several months in temporary accommodation. You may find it helpful and cheaper to come as single person initially and bring your partner/family after you have found somewhere permanent to live.
When setting your budget, you need to factor in transport to Hope Park - bus fares are just under £2 for a single journey. You can get a weekly bus pass for £17 per week. A monthly bus pass is £56 (4 weeks) but please check how many times a week you need to use the bus to see if it is worth the investment.
You can find further information about living in halls of residence on our website at:
Travel arrangements
Please note that you should purchase travel insurance before you leave your home country – you are at risk if you do not have a travel insurance policy.
You can travel to Liverpool via the following routes:
- flight to Liverpool John Lennon Airport
- flight to Manchester International Airport followed by train or taxi to Liverpool (one hour)
- flight to any London airport followed by:
- air shuttle to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, or
- train from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street station (two hours), or
- National Express bus to Liverpool 1 Bus Depot (six hours)
- then local bus or taxi to your accommodation
- please bear in mind that the journey across London from Heathrow Airport to Euston train station is expensive and very difficult with luggage, especially in the rush hour. If possible fly direct to Manchester International Airport.
Please note that we advise you to wear face masks on all forms of public transport in the UK. For advice about travel options for getting from the Airport to your accommodation, please contact globalcentre@hope.ac.uk
Further travel advice
IMPORTANT: Please see the official Government advice for travelers to the UK.
For the latest COVID-19 rules for travel, please see the Gov website.
Registration process
Around the end of August (subject to you having received your Visa, if you need one) the University will send you the 'registration letter' by email, with the login details for the student portal called MyHope.
In MyHope you will see a number of blue boxes linking you to a variety of services and information - the one you will use to register is SRM (Student Records Management). Please click on the link to the 'Registration and Fee Task' to complete the registration process.
IMPORTANT: In SRM you will find a task for uploading a photo for your ID card – please remember to do this before you travel or there will be a delay in you receiving your ID card on arrival.
Paying your Tuition Fee
Tuition fees for international students are split into two payments: you should make your first payment before arrival (when you register) and the final payment within three months of arrival. Please ensure that you are aware of the deadlines and payment methods explained on our paying your fees webpage.
Failure to make payments on time will result in access to your student portal MyHope, being temporarily suspended, meaning that you will not be able to access the course Moodle or submit any assessments until you bring your account up to date.
Other things you may need to know before you travel
What to bring with you - you will need items for self-catering, plus bedding and towels, but please do not worry about transporting everything. You can easily purchase these items locally and we can help you to find the shops after you arrive.
Shopping - shopping in the UK is mainly in supermarkets for food and household items and in retail parks or the city centre for clothing. We do not have many outdoor markets in the city. Students who want particular types of international food will find the items they need in areas where there is a higher ethnic population - just ask the staff at the Global Centre for advice.
Supermarkets, depending on their size, stock a wide variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, plus ready cooked meals (to be heated in a microwave oven), tinned foods, rice, pasta, noodles, plus a wide selection of condiments and spices. You can also expect to see bakery items such as bread, flatbreads, crumpets and bagels.
Supermarkets also sell toiletries, cleaning items, toilet roll and personal hygiene items. Larger superstores also sell kitchen items, bedding, towels and clothing. Prices for these items are generally cheaper in supermarkets than in the city centre. In Liverpool, you can also find dedicated 'discount stores' such as B&M and Home Bargains that offer household items at very competitive prices.
Food in the UK - British food can vary slightly from region to region, but due to the generally lower temperatures, our food tends to be filling and warming, with a mixture of meat, potatoes and vegetables being the norm in traditional dishes. Food tends to be fairly bland and not very spicy. Having said that, UK residents love international food, so European, Indian and Asian food has become part of our normal diet. There is quite an emphasis on sweet things in our diet, so chocolate, sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks feature widely - try not to adopt our bad habits!
Living costs - the cost of living in the UK is usually much higher than international students have experienced at home. The cost of public transport, food and general living costs can be three or four times the cost of living in Africa or India. If you are from a country with a low economy, you will need to budget for much higher expenditure than at home.
You should budget for the essentials and if you want to eat out, or buy theatre or cinema tickets, or travel outside Liverpool, you will need a higher budget. The good news is that the museums and art galleries are free to enter in Liverpool. The City Centre has many heritage sights and tourist areas, which are also free, as are the parks and green spaces.
UK Currency - is £ Sterling - there is 100 pence (p) in £1 Sterling. Take a look at the average cost of living webpage.
The weather - if you arrive in October the weather will start to get much colder and if you arrive in January, it will already be cold - average temperatures are 5-10 degrees celsius, but can occasionally drop to below freezing between December and February.
Be prepared to bring or purchase a warm padded coat, jumpers or hoodies, long trousers/jeans and full shoes or boots. Shorts, flip flops or sandals are not appropriate in British winters. This is hard to imagine when you come from a very hot country, but expect to go through a period of adjustment - wearing lots of layers is helpful.
UK beds - Beds are 90cm wide (a single) or 135cm wide (a double). Beds are always elevated from the ground on short legs, or a bed base and topped with a thick mattress. The mattress should be covered with a fitted or flat sheet before use - it is unhealthy to sleep on a bare mattress. For warmth, we use either a top sheet and blankets, or more commonly, a padded duvet with a fitted cover, plus pillows with fitted covers. We tend to remove the duvet cover and pillow covers, plus the bottom sheet, for regular washing - the frequency is down to personal preference, but once a week or once every two weeks would be the norm.
Laundry - Washing clothes and bedding can be done at your accommodation if you have a washing machine, or in a public 'launderette', where there will be washing machines and dryers available for a fee. The cost is usually about £4 per wash and £2 to dry a full load. We advise you to only use washing machines if you have a full load - it is too expensive to use a machine for just a few items. Each Liverpool Hope campus has a launderette, plus there are public launderettes in the local community, usually near to other shops.
When you arrive in the UK
- go straight to your accommodation (private or on campus)
- at the earliest opportunity after arrival, email globalcentre@hope.ac.uk to let us know you have arrived in the UK
- make sure that you are fully registered for your course and have access to your timetable, the course Moodle and your student Gmail account
- check your timetable and emails so that you know when your induction and teaching sessions start
- practice the travel route to your teaching campus - contact globalcentre@hope.ac.uk if you need help or advice
- collect your BRP card on the date indicated in your Visa letter - email globalcentre@hope.ac.uk if you need help in finding the collection centre for your card
- when you first visit Hope Park, call to the Global Centre on the first floor of the Gateway Building to introduce yourself. We will show you around and help you to collect your Student ID card. We can help you to open a UK bank account and register with a Doctor
- visit the Finance Office on the first floor of the Gateway Building to check that your student account is up-to-date. If any payments are due, you should pay them immediately, or as soon as you have opened a UK bank account. Please note that, if you have not already paid in full, you should pay 50% of the tuition fee on registration and 50% within three months of arrival. This is non-negotiable and penalties will be applied for non-payment by the deadline
Induction
You will have an induction program in the week before teaching starts - please make sure you are in the UK to attend any timetabled sessions. Also check your student Gmail account for messages from your Tutors or the Global Centre - typically a new undergraduate student would have a full week of sessions, but a postgraduate student may have two or three sessions to introduce you to your School, a Library Induction and a session on academic conduct and essay writing.
Opening a UK bank account
You may not need or wish to open a UK bank account, but if you intend to do so, there are both high street banks and online banks available. We do not recommend any particular banks and we advise you to research carefully before applying to have an account. The things to consider are:
- does the bank have a special account for students?
- how much per month will it cost you to hold an account with that bank?
- is there a joining fee?
- does the bank offer any high street discounts and/or incentives?
- what are the reviews from existing customers like?
To open a high street bank account, you will need to have an interview at your chosen branch – some banks allow you to complete a form online in advance of the interview, so the interview itself is shorter. The interview is about one hour long and credit checks will be carried out before you are offered an account. You will need to take several documents:
- a Status Letter - this can be obtained from the main desk on the ground floor of the Gateway Building at Hope Park or by emailing gateway@hope.ac.uk. The status letter shows the home address and term-time address from your student record. Check that these are correct in MyHope before requesting a Status Letter
- proof of your address, for example, a Tenancy Agreement or Accommodation Contract
- your passport
- your BRP card if you are a Visa holder.
Some online banks do not require as much documentation and can be opened from overseas. The Online banks that are most well known are:
The process from application to opening an account takes at least a week but can be longer. Your debit card and PIN number will be posted to your UK address and will take a further few days to arrive. Please bring enough cash or a credit card to survive the period until you can have money transferred to your bank account.
There are ATM machines on all main streets in the city – make sure you use one that does not charge a fee to withdraw cash – these will have the words ‘FREE CASH WITHDRAWALS’ clearly stated on the machine.
All shops will take payments by debit card – UK debit cards automatically have a contactless option whereby you can pay for items up to the value of £100 without using your PIN.
Accessing the National Health Service (NHS)
All visitors to the UK are entitled to Primary Care. In addition to this, if you have pre-settled or settled status, or have paid an NHS surcharge for your Visa, or have immigration permission to live the UK, you will be covered for most other NHS services - see below how to access these.
If you are not entitled to use the full range of NHS services, you should take out a Comprehensive Health Insurance policy – this includes students studying in the UK for less than six months and anyone who has entered with a Standard Visitor Visa.
There are several levels of access to the NHS:
- NHS Advice – You can get help online or by phone by calling 111 or going to the NHS website. 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Pharmacies - These can be found in Chemist shops and major supermarkets. The Pharmacist will be trained to offer medical advice and guidance and can recommend medicines and treatments for sale in their shop
- Treatment Centres - these are drop-in centres where you are guaranteed to be seen on the day you call. They are open 12 hours per day - there are two in Liverpool:
- Community GP service - you can apply for a student registration at any Health Centre local to where you live. If you become unwell, you can book an appointment via the website or by phone - consultations are usually by telephone initially
- Accident and Emergency Room - there is only one A&E location at the Liverpool University Hospital Trust - this is only for people with a serious medical emergency and is not recommended unless you are seriously ill and do not have access to any other service. There are waiting times of up to six hours to be seen by a Doctor and the waiting area will be occupied by other people who have had an accident or are very ill. However, if you need to use this service and you are mobile, we recommend you take a taxi and self-refer yourself
- 999 emergency ambulance - not to be used unless you are unable to get to Accident and Emergency independently. People contacting this service are put into a queue and can wait for several hours before an ambulance is available
- If you need a dentist, it is unlikely that you will be able to access help via the NHS, but you can check availability at NHS Choices (you need a dentist who has said YES to taking new Adult patients). You may need to produce health insurance to access an NHS dentist
- If you cannot access an NHS Dentist, you can use a private Dentist. You can make an appointment and pay for the service you have received - ask for a price list before agreeing to treatment as it is likely to be expensive, but you should receive a good level of care. You can search online for 'private dentists in Liverpool'
Global Student and Partnerships Centre
The Global Centre at Hope Park (first floor, Gateway Building) should be your first point of contact if you need help with anything at all.
We offer pre-arrival support before and after you arrive - the things we can help with include the arrival and registration processes, opening a bank account, help and advice with issues such as learning support, finances, mental health, physical health and travel arrangements.
We are also here to support you throughout your studies and you are welcome to call in to see us on the first floor of the Gateway Building at Hope Park. You don't need an appointment - just call in to discuss anything that is bothering you, or just to tell us your news or have a chat.
We are open from 9.15am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday.
Letters and forms you may need
As a Visa-holder you may need permission to do certain things, such as leave the UK or work more than 20 hours. The International Hub or Gateway Service Desk can provide these for you.
Letters you may need:
- a Status Letter for opening a bank account
- a travel letter (for term-time travel)
- confirmation of work hours for employers
- a 'graduation visitors’ support letter
Learning support, counselling and health services on campus
We have a high level of support services for students who need an extra bit of help - you may not need these services when you first arrive, but may benefit from them when you are under stress from submission deadlines, or taking exams. On the other hand, you may have a history of anxiety, self-harm or depression - our Student Life team can help you in a variety of ways. You can contact them to make an appointment by emailing studentlife@hope.ac.uk - quite often you will be contacted the same day. Please be assured that these services are 100% confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone without your consent.
Chaplaincy
Students of all faiths or no faith are welcome at Liverpool Hope and our Chaplaincy Team are a friendly team of welcoming people who are always there to offer the hand of friendship. If you need advice about where to worship, or would like to join a faith-based group just pop into the Chaplaincy base at Hope Park for a chat. However, if you are not at all religious but like the sound of a friendly spot to call in for a cup of tea and a chat, you will be just as welcome. Try the £1 lunch on Mondays for the chance to meet new friends! More information is available on our Chaplaincy pages.
Residential Life
If you live on campus, you will receive extra help and support from the Residential Life Team – each Hall has a dedicated Wellbeing Assistant to make sure you get the best out of life on campus. For further information go to our Residential life pages.
Hope Social
As a student, there will be many opportunities on and off campus to enjoy yourself when you are not studying. On campus we have a weekly social program, including indoor and outdoor activities, competitions and sports – whether you are super quiet or the life and soul of the party, there will be an option for you. Look out for the weekly Campus Life, which will appear in your Hope email account – don’t miss out on the fun! Further information is available on the Hope Social page.
Hope Park Sports
If you enjoy using the gym, playing squash or badminton, like to take fitness classes, or play a team sport, the perfect venue is at Hope Park. With a wide range of excellent facilities, you can keep yourself fit and healthy in a great environment – there is no monthly subscription, but a one-off joining fee applies. For further information, visit the Hope Park Sports pages.
Academic life
Liverpool Hope is a small friendly university and we want every student to reach their full potential. Our teaching staff are dynamic and highly qualified, representing many nationalities and they are motivated to share their knowledge and experience with you.
We understand that our teaching methods and assessments, plus our expectations and regulations may be very different to your home country. Therefore, if you find that academic life is challenging, please speak to your Tutors and let them know how they can help you. No-one wants you to fail, so tutors will do everything they can to help you to succeed. That said, you must fully engage with your studies in order to do well. Marking is strict and you will not get good marks unless your research and academic writing is of a very high standard.
It is tempting to work the maximum amount of hours per week allowed on your visa – the income is certainly most welcome, but you are here to gain a degree and it is advisable to keep this in mind and make your studies and attendance in class your main priority. Remember you are a full-time student – that means that you should study every day, not just when your employment allows.
Look out for submission deadlines – you can ask for an extension if you feel that you will not have enough time, but once the deadline has passed, you can’t ask for more time and will not be given another chance to submit. It is your responsibility to note these important dates and start working towards them as soon as you possibly can. Starting assessments a few weeks before the submission date is guaranteed to get you a much lower mark than you are really capable of.
IT Services - My Hope
MyHope is the student portal to student services and information and you will use it on a daily basis. The university will send you your personal log in details for MyHope around the end of August for September starters and around the end of November for January starters (see Registration Process in the 'Before Arrival' tab.
Each subject has its own Moodle, which provides all the information you need about your course assessments, resource links and messages.
Moodle is the Virtual Learning Environment, where you will find course specific information and will be able to upload coursework for assessment.
Further information about our IT services and FAQs can be found on the IT pages - choose from the menu on the left of the page for the subject you need.
Libraries and Learning Spaces
We have a library at Hope Park and a Reading Room at the Creative Campus. Books can be ordered and collected or you can browse (restrictions may apply)
You can book a study space for private study – this is a great idea, especially if you have a deadline to meet and need to concentrate. Each subject has a dedicated Librarian, who is an expert in resources for that particular area of study – if you need help just email askalibrarian@hope.ac.uk. Further information available on the Library pages.
If you need extra help with your academic writing style or research methods, why not attend some of the scheduled workshops or make an appointment to spend some time with a Peer Writing Mentor – further information can be found on the mentoring service pages.
Study spaces around campus
You will notice around campus several areas where you can use a PC, or plug in and recharge your own devices. Some have printing facilities also. These spaces are free for you to use – we call them Student Success Zones as they allow you to study whenever you have some spare time, without having to book a space in the Library. There are even PCs for you to use in the restaurants – just jump on a spare one and off you go!
Finance office
The Finance office is the team that is responsible for managing student accounts. Please contact the Finance office after arrival to make any payments that are due and/or set up a payment plan for Tuition and Accommodation (if you live on campus). Even if there is a delay in you being able to make a payment (for example, if you are applying for a UK bank account), keep the Finance team informed so that they can make notes on your student record. To make a payment please use the Payment Portal
There are strict deadlines for making payments for tuition fees - if you miss these deadlines, your access to the student portal, MyHope will be temporarily suspended, meaning that you will not be able to access the course Moodle or submit any assessments. Usually tuition fees are split into two payments: you should make your first payment before arrival and the final payment within three months of arrival.
Part-time work
Many students want to earn some money while they are studying and there is a wide variety of work that students can do. However, it is not always easy to find employment, so make sure you are not relying on this as a means of survival – earned income should be a bonus, not the only source of living costs.
If you have a particular skill or have experience of working before you came to Liverpool, use this as a starting point in your search for work – employers like to see some experience and if possible, a reference. If the place you worked before has a branch in Liverpool, ask for a transfer.
There are agencies you can use to find work, or you can approach employers directly – most have a jobs section on their website. Typically, students will work in the retail or hospitality industry. The shifts can be long and tiring, hours can fluctuate from week to week and wages are relatively low.
Student route visa holders are restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week – this is a strict law in the UK and your employer will ask for proof of your students status before they employ you. You can work full time in the holiday periods but Masters students on a 52 week degree course cannot work full time in the summer holiday as this is part of their full-time study weeks.
Students on a Standard Visitor Visa cannot do any type of work, paid or voluntary.
For further information about finding a job or advice about writing your CV, My Careers Centre in MyHope is an excellent place to find help and advice. For further information, go the Student Futures webpage.
In order to be paid by an employer, you need a National Insurance Number – you can apply for jobs without one, but employers usually want to have your number before they employ you. You can apply for a National Insurance number if all of the following are true:
- you live in England, Scotland or Wales
- you entered the UK on a visa that’s still valid (and has not been extended in the UK)
- you have the right to work in the UK.
Find out more about applying for a National Insurance number.