Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQS
Q: How can I sign up to the Jobshop?
A: To set up your Jobshop account, please click on the button below:
Register here
This will enable you to create an account, set your preferences, sign up for job alerts and browse/apply for jobs.
Once you have a firm offer of work, you will be required to provide some on-boarding information such as your bank details. You will also be required to complete an ‘Eligibility to Work’ or ‘Right to Work’ check, where we will check your eligibility to work documents to ensure that you are able to undertake the work in question.
Please note that you MUST complete your Eligibility to Work (Right to Work) check BEFORE starting any work or related training.
Q: What documents do I need to provide for my Right to Work check?
A: During your video appointment, you will be asked to present your student ID card and an original document which evidences your eligibility to work in the UK (please note we are not able to accept copies or scans). These can be (but are not limited to):
- UK Passport
- EU Passport
- EU Identity Card
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
The link below provides details of alternative documents which can be accepted to prove your eligibility to work:Right to work checklist
- UK/EEA nationals see Checklist A
- Non-EEA nationals see Checklist B
If you are an international student on a Student Visa, you will also be required to provide proof of your term/vacation dates for the current academic year (unless you are a PGR student, in which case you won't need to provide your term dates as you're restricted to 20 hours all year round).
We are required by the University to re-check all students’ Right to Work on an annual basis (or sooner if your Student Visa expires).
Once you have completed your Right to Work check, you will be issued with a Jobshop Casual Worker Permit. A Jobshop Casual Worker Permit will be issued to students following a firm offer of work and a successful Right to Work check (you will not need a Permit until you have been offered work). This Permit confirms to your line manager that you have completed the necessary right to work checks and are able to undertake work within the University and through the Jobshop. You will need to show your line manager your Permit before you commence work for them. Without a Permit you cannot start work so if you have work arranged but don't yet have your Permit, please contact the Jobshop immediately: Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk
Jobshop Casual Worker Permits will usually be valid for 12 months from date of issue unless:
- You are a visa holder with a BRP/ visa expiry date which is sooner OR
- Your course end date (plus 3 months) is sooner
The expiry date of your Right to Work check will be clearly shown on your Permit.
Q: How can I contact the Jobshop?
A: Please email us at Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk
Q: How many hours can I work each week?
A: Students on full-time courses of study are advised to work no more than 15 hours per week during term-time. Home/EEA students do not currently have any restrictions on their working hours. International students on a Tier 4 visa are restricted to either 10 or 20 hours work per week (details are shown on your BRP) and must not exceed their visa allowances under any circumstances. More detailed advice is available from UKCISA.
Q: How much will I be paid?
A: This will vary depending on where you are working and the job you are doing, but all jobs through the Jobshop agency are paid at a minimum of the current 'National Living Wage' rate.
Q: How do I get holiday pay?
A: Your holiday is paid in addition to your hourly rate and is shown on your payslip.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: Wages are paid fortnightly in arrears on alternate Fridays. You can see upcoming pay dates on our Instagram page (check the highlights!).
Q: How do I complete and submit my timesheet?
A: Once you have a firm offer of work, your timesheets will be available to view and complete on the Jobshop candidate portal before they are sent to your line manager for authorisation.
Q: When do I need to submit my timesheet?
A: You must submit your timesheet at the end of each week worked. Failure to do may result in delayed payment and an increase in deductions in respect of National Insurance and Income Tax.
Q: How can I access my payslip?
A: Once your wages have been processed, you will be emailed a link to view your payslips via the Sage app.
Q: What if I need to cancel an assignment?
A: You MUST be sure of your availability BEFORE applying for a job. Once you have accepted a job, you are committed to working and cancellation is only acceptable in the case of sickness or an emergency.
Occasionally work may be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We are unable to offer payment in such cases.
Q: What is a P45 and how do I get one?
A: A P45 is a certificate given to an employee at the end of a period of employment, providing details of their tax code, gross pay, and the tax paid for that year which is to be passed to a subsequent employer or benefit agency. If you require your P45, please email us at JobshopForms@cardiff.ac.uk
Q: What is a P60 and how do I get one?
A: A P60 (End of Year Certificate) is a statement issued to taxpayers at the end of a tax year. This will be available on the Sage app automatically at the end of each tax year (around April) if you have worked for us during that tax year.
Q: Can I work through the Jobshop if I am no longer a student?
A: You are eligible to work through the Jobshop for three months after the expiry date shown on your student ID card.
Q: I have changed my address, what do I do?
A: Please email your new address to Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk from your university email address. We will update the payroll department with your new details.
Q: I have changed my bank details, what do I do?
A: Please email your new bank details to Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk from your University email address. We will update the payroll department with your new details.
Q: What is your General Data Protection Policy?
A: Please see the following links to our Privacy Notice and Data Sharing Agreements:
Privacy Notice
Data Sharing Agreements
Additional FAQs for international students on a Student Visa
Q: What are the working restrictions for Student Visa holders?
A: Students on a Student Visa are restricted in the number of hours they can work each week during term-time. Your eligibility to work will be outlined on your visa vignette, BRP card or online visa information, and in your visa decision letter.
If you are studying in the UK on a short-term Student Visa you are not permitted to work at any time, including unpaid/voluntary work.
Q: How many hours can I work each week?
A: Usually either 10 or 20 hours each week, depending on your level of study. Please check your BRP or visa information, which will contain this information.
Q: Can I work full-time during vacation periods?
A: Undergraduate and PGT Student Visa students can work full-time during vacation periods. However, vacation times will vary depending on your course and level of study (e.g. most PGT students are not permitted to work full time over the summer, as this is not classed as their vacation period) so it’s essential that you are absolutely clear on the vacation periods which apply to your course before exceeding your term-time work limit. Please note that PGR Student Visa students are limited to 20 hours per week all year round.
As a general rule, the following criteria apply, although there will be exceptions to this, so we advise you to double-check your course-specific term dates:
Undergraduate Students
- During vacations you can work full-time
- During term time you can work up to 20 hours per week
- Exam period counts as term time
- Enrolment week counts as term time
Taught Postgraduate Students
- During Christmas and Easter vacations you can work full-time
- During term time you can work up to 20 hours per week
- Term time conditions apply during the summer term until after you submit your dissertation at which point you are required to provide evidence of this from your School
- Exam period counts as term time
- Enrolment week counts as term time
Postgraduate Research Students
- You are restricted to 20 hours work per week all year round
Q: What documents do I need to provide for my Right to Work check?
A: You will need your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), your student ID card and proof of your term/vacation dates for the current academic year (unless you are a PGR student, in which case you won’t need to provide your term dates as you’re restricted to 20 hours all year round).
Q: What is an Employer Checking Service (ECS) check?
A: ECS stands for Employers Checking Service. An employer can use the government website to confirm if a person is in the process of applying for a new or replacement visa document. Once this is confirmed you will be able to work.
Q: I am waiting for a new Biometric Residence Permit/visa, what do I do?
A: If you are in the process of getting a new visa/BRP and you have been asked to work, we can complete a check with the Home Office while you wait for your documents to be returned. To do this you will need to get in touch with the Student Jobshop. The check is an Employers Checking Service (ECS) check. You will not be able to work until this has been returned.
Q: What is a National Insurance number?
A: Your National Insurance number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name. It also acts as a reference number when communicating with the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Q: How do I apply for a National Insurance number?
Q: I have received my National Insurance number, where do I send it?
A: Please email Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk from your University email address with your NINO details.
If you have any questions which haven’t been answered here (or if you require further clarification) please don’t hesitate to contact us: Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk