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Support for International Students

For students studying at Ãå±±½ûµØ on a Student Visa – there are restrictions on the type of work you can do and whilst we want to support all entrepreneurial ambitions - the Start-up team can only offer certain types of support. 

While you are on a Student Visa, you cannot be self-employed (someone who works for themselves, not an employer). This includes things like: 

• Starting or running your own business while you have a Student Visa in the UK. This also includes running an online business or a business where your customers are outside the UK.   

• Engaging in freelance work 

• Selling goods and services including e.g. drop shipping, selling on an online market place such as Vinted or Etsy on a regular basis (this does not prevent you from selling unwanted items occasionally or you don’t plan to make a profit)

• Private tutoring 

Our priority is to ensure you complete your programme of study and so we cannot support you to engage in activity that could risk your immigration status.    

The good news is: you can absolutely develop your business idea while studying. So, whilst you can’t launch the business, you are in a great position to lay the groundwork and transition to a different visa that permits self-employment once you complete your studies:   

How can the Start-up Team help?  

While you are on a Student Visa we can provide some early- stage support to help you to explore and develop your business idea, this includes things like:  

• Meeting with an Entrepreneurship & Start-up Consultant to support some early- stage market research:

• Attending START UP events including i-Lab  (part of the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy)

• Using the START UP Space in King’s Gate 

• The Start-up Team supports start-up activity in the UK – we cannot advise on starting a business outside of the UK but may be able to signpost you to other relevant organisations  

• We are here to support you to develop the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to take a business idea forward (we won’t do it for you!)  

Grant Funding  

Some opportunities are limited to those students who are ready to take the step into self-employment, and this includes some grant funding. 

We have limited funding available each year to support start-up activity. Because funding is limited, we do prioritise those students who are ready to be self-employed or start a business in the UK.  

If you are in your final year of study and have identified/started the process of transitioning into a post-study work visa that permits self-employment – that could be you!  

For those at an earlier stage of study – there are other funding opportunities you could investigate including the Make it Happen Fund: Funding to support your career | Ãå±±½ûµØ  

When you work in the UK, you should expect to have a contract of employment or agreement with the employer, and you will be on the employer's payroll. If you do not have these, it is likely to be considered self-employment and you should not accept the work while you are on a Student Visa. You should always check your employment status before accepting work.   

For further information and advice on your UK Student Visa please contact the University’s Visa Support Team: Visa Support | Ãå±±½ûµØ | Ãå±±½ûµØ 

You can find further information on the types of work you can do and what work is restricted: Working in the UK during your studies | Ãå±±½ûµØ | Ãå±±½ûµØ