Support for International Students

For students studying at Newcastle University 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 take you so far but not all the way…

While you are on a Student Visa, you cannot be self-employed. 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
Private tutoring

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

But here’s the good news, you can absolutely develop your business idea while studying.

So whilst you can’t launch the business just yet, 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: Working after studies for international students

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: mycareer.ncl.ac.uk
Coming along to START UP events including i-Lab
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 relevant organisations
We are here to support you to develop the entrepreneurial skills and know-how to take a business idea forward – we won’t do it for you (e.g. market research)

Grant Funding

Some opportunities are limited to those students who are in a position to take the step into self-employment 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 in a position to be self-employed/ 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 visa that permits self-employment – that could be you!

For those at a slightly early stage of study – there are other funding options you could investigate including the Make it Happen Fund: Funding to support your career | Newcastle University

When you work in the UK, you should normally expect to have a contract of employment or agreement with the employer, and you will be on the employer's payroll. If any of these features are absent, it is likely to amount to self-employment and you should refrain from taking up the work while you are on a Student Visa. You should always check your employment status before taking up the work.

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

Here you can find further information on the types of work you can do and what type of work is restricted: Working in the UK during your studies | Newcastle University | Newcastle University

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