🎓 How many hours can a student work — and how not to harm their studies

ℹ️ Disclaimer: This is an overview and is not legal advice. Rules and percentages change — check your status on official websites and with your employer.

👥 Who should read this and why

Foreign and local students, exchange students and interns. In one place — guidelines on hours, what counts as ‘work’, how to survive exam periods without getting overwhelmed, and what to discuss with your employer before your first shift.

📜 Student's right to work: basic framework

• If you have a student residence permit (non-EU/EEA), you are automatically entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays. This permission also applies to remote work. Self-employment is not permitted under this status.
• For EU/EEA/Switzerland: you can work without any restrictions on hours, but if you are staying for more than 3 months, you must register. Remember that you are a student first and foremost — don't overload your semester.

🗓️ Academic semester vs holidays

• During the semester, stick to the limit (usually up to 20 hours/week). During holidays, you can work full-time.
• If the job is part of your study programme (internship/work placement), you can request permission to work full-time during the semester. This must be done in writing when you apply or later.
• Working overtime is a risk for extending your status (up to refusal and deportation).

💼 What counts as ‘work’

• Shifts in retail/cafes/warehouses, assistant roles on campus, remote part-time jobs are ‘work’ and count towards your hours.
• Freelancing/self-employment with a student residence permit (non-EU/EEA) is not allowed. A different legal status is required.

🏙️ Types of part-time jobs and workload

Campus/city/online:

• Campus — libraries, laboratories, IT support.
• City — retail/cafes/warehouses/events.
• Online — content support, testing, support.

Recommendation for a ‘healthy’ workload: 8–15 hours/week during the semester, the rest on weekends/holidays (based on your study plan).

📚 Exam periods: how to adjust your schedule

• Introduce a ‘soft ban’ on shifts 7–10 days before key exams.
• Move long shifts to the shoulder season (before/after the exam period).
• Discuss with your employer a temporary reduction in hours for 2–3 weeks (see letter template below).

🚩 Red flags: night/long shifts, safety

• According to labour law: 11 hours of uninterrupted rest per 24 hours and 35 hours per 7 days.
• Night work (9 p.m.–6 a.m.) is only permitted if justified by the nature of the tasks — discuss with your employer; there are additional payments/rules.
• Breaks: for shifts > 5.5 hours — at least one break; for 8 hours — a total of ≥30 minutes (if it is not possible to leave the workplace, the break counts as working time).
• Overtime — minimum +40% of the rate (in cash or time off, but the bonus is always paid).

✉️ Communication with the employer

Letter template (EN/NO): confirm the schedule and breaks

Hello [Manager], here is my proposed study-friendly schedule for [Month]: [days/hours].

I’ll avoid night shifts during exam week [dates]. Please confirm break length for shifts over 5.5/8h and overtime policy. Thanks!

Agree in advance:

• Hour limit per semester and full-time during holidays.
• Breaks and a ‘quiet’ period before exams.
• Night hours/additional pay (if applicable).

✅ Checklist before starting a shift

• Schedule: does it fit within 20 hours/week (if you are non-EU/EEA) and 11 hours between shifts?
• Break: >5.5 hours — will there be a break? >8 hours — at least 30 minutes in total?
• Exams: are there any conflicts in the next 10 days?
• Safety: is it a series of night shifts; is there a way to get home?
• Documents: registration (EU/EEA>3 months), student status, pay card/taxes — are they in order?