Visas

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, RCS will support you to apply for this. We will help you understand the requirements, prepare your application, and provide guidance on how to submit your Student visa application. We will also help you understand what will happen after you submit your application and what the possible outcomes of your application will be.

The team will be in touch with all offer holders directly and this will begin in early April 2025.

RCS has created a Student visa guide to help you prepare for your Student visa application.

This guide is produced to support RCS applicants coming to the UK to study on a Student visa.  The rules, guidance and ultimate decision maker on your Student visa application is the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI) and is part of the Home Office Department.    Guidance and rules for visas can and does change throughout the year so please make sure that you read and meet the full eligibility criteria and information on the Gov.uk website here.

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also provides up to date information relating to all areas of the International student experience and journey.

In some situations, such as attending RCS to undertake a student exchange or attend a resit examination you may need to do this on an ETA.

How you apply for this varies depending on your nationality – you can read the eligibility criteria and apply via the ETA section of the Home Office website.

RCS has produced a guide to help support ETA applicants.

In some situations, such as attending RCS to undertake a student exchange or attend a resit examination you may need to do this on a visitor visa.

How you apply for this varies depending on your nationality – you can read the eligibility criteria and apply via the Visitor section of the Home Office website.

Student permission is granted with immigration conditions, which are usually stated on your immigration documentation.  You also have requirements and obligations related to the Immigration Rules, your studies, and your Student visa sponsor.  This section explains some general good practice on protecting your Student status.  Full details can be found here.

Working During Your Studies on a Student Visa

Student visa holders are usually granted permission to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term time, and full time during confirmed vacation periods and after studies are fully completed.  Your eVisa/BRP/conditions letter will clearly state the working hours permitted including any additional conditions. It is the responsibility of you and your employer to ensure that you do not exceed these hours. If you do, you can both face serious penalties. 

Students should note UKVI defines a “week” as “a seven day period starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday“ 

Students who have exams during the main examination diet or during the resit period are in term time for the duration of the period regardless of the number of exams being taken. 

Applying for a National Insurance Number 

Your National Insurance number (NINo) is a unique personal number. It is a record of your National Insurance contributions that your employer deducts from your pay.  

You may already have a NINo printed on the back of your BRP or on your eVisa. If you don’t, you’ll need to apply online at gov.uk. 

Types of work you can and can’t do  

If you can work during your studies, you can apply for and accept jobs in most types of paid role, at any level. You are not restricted to working on campus. 

There are some kinds of work you must not do including self-employment, business activity, professional sportsperson, entertainer, and permanent full-time job. Full details can be found here. 

There are some exceptions to working as an entertainer, if the work is arranged through the RCS External Engagements department and that work is an assessed and integral part of your course. Any questions please see full guidance on the student portal or email international@rcs.ac.uk. 

It is important to stress that although those on a Student visa are permitted to work (within the regulations noted above) the Conservatoire’s programmes of study are very intensive and you may not have time to work. You shouldn’t solely rely on securing employment to top-up your living expenses.  

Employment restrictions under the Visitor route

If you come to the UK as a Visitor for the purpose of short-term study then your passport will have a stamp that says ‘No Work’ or ‘Work Prohibited’. This means that you are not allowed to:

• take paid employment
• take unpaid employment
• do a work placement – even if it is part of your course
• do voluntary work (but you can volunteer****)

If you are planning on working when you study with us you will need to check that you meet the requirements for the Student visa. If you do meet those requirements you will have to make an application for a Student visa in your home country. You cannot switch from being a Visitor visa holder to Student visa holder whilst in the UK.

****Voluntary workers often have a contract of employment and are also usually remunerated in kind whereas volunteers don’t have a contract of employment, don’t take the place of an employee, do not receive payment in kind and usually help a charity or voluntary organisation.

If you need any further information about working in the UK then please contact international@rcs.ac.uk

EEA and Swiss Nationals

If you are looking to take up work during your studies you can find further information on topics such as tax and support finding a job on the UKCISA website here – https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/Student-work

Finding work

You can find advertisements for jobs in local newspapers, in shops, on notice boards around the Conservatoire and online on sites such as:

• s1.jobs.com
• https://www.fish4.co.uk/jobs/glasgow/
• https://www.indeed.co.uk/jobs-in-Glasgow
• https://uk.jooble.org/jobs/Glasgow

You can also approach recruitment agencies who specialise in areas of work such as hospitality, retail and administration.

The Conservatoire often advertises for ushers and for other part-time vacancies which would be suitable for students, with details being sent around by email or on the vacancies page at https://www.rcs.ac.uk/vacancies/

Income Tax and National Insurance

You will have to pay income tax if you earn more than a specified personal allowance in any tax year as well as National Insurance. The Low Income Tax Reform Group has produced a special information guide on income tax for international students.

To work in the UK you will need a National Insurance Number (NINO). Further information can be found at UKCISA – Employers, Tax and National Insurance

Employer obligations

If you are looking to take up work during your studies you can find further information on topics such as tax and support finding a job on the UKCISA website here – https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/Student-work

Working in the UK after your studies

If you need immigration permission to remain in the UK after your studies the options and further information can be found here.  

The Graduate route visa is a popular option since it’s introduction in 2021. There are eligibility criteria you need to meet and these can be found here. If you complete an eligible course at RCS, we will confirm this to the Home Office and notify you via email. You should not apply before this or if you do not meet any of the other eligibility criteria.  

Right to study checks 

RCS is required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to conduct a right to study check on every student who is not a British, Irish, Channel Islands or Isle of Man national. 

This is to demonstrate that they have the right to study in the UK and at the RCS. 

RCS must keep a copy of these documents and check regularly for any updates to students’ immigration status. 

This will be collected and checked throughout your studies at RCS.  

Changes in your circumstances 

If your circumstances change during your studies, the UK Home Office may need to be informed and there could be implications for your Student Visa. Some changes must be reported by you and will not affect your visa – for instance, a change of address. Other changes, such as early completion and or change of course, must be reported by your visa sponsor and may result in visa curtailment. 

Common changes include; completing your studies before the course end date on your CAS, you have change programme or there has been a change in your immigration status. 

If you are not sure, please contact international@rcs.ac.uk. 

Please also note, it is important you update your student record if any of your personal/contact details change, including your term-time address, telephone number, or email address. This can be done in your student portal.