Leeds is a fantastic City with so much to get involved in. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and gain valuable employability skills. Each year hundreds of students get involved in volunteering around the city to make a difference during their time here. International Students’ have so much to offer. Your unique experiences as well as potential secondary languages can be a huge benefit to charities in Leeds.
Welcome to Leeds!
Leeds is a fantastic City with so much to get involved in. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and gain valuable employability skills. Each year hundreds of students get involved in volunteering around the city to make a difference during their time here.
International Students’ have so much to offer. Your unique experiences as well as potential secondary languages can be a huge benefit to charities in Leeds. You can make a huge difference in so many ways.
However, as an International Student studying in the United Kingdom there are some things that you need to be aware of that may affect you when seeking opportunities. We hope that you find this guidance information useful and informative.
What does Brexit mean for Volunteering?
Prior to Brexit volunteers from EU countries would have the right to work in the United Kingdom without restriction. However, now all students studying in the United Kingdom will be required to hold a Student Visa (Formally the Tier 4 Visa).
Volunteering and Visas
You will be able to volunteer on a Student Visa. However, depending on your individual Visa there may be a limit to how many hours you can volunteer for.
Short Term Student Visa
You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English language in the UK. This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months. On this visa, you will be unable to work or carry out any business (this includes paid work, volunteering, work experience, or work placements).
Volunteering/ Volunteer Work
All of the volunteering opportunities that we advertise are classed as volunteering and not "Volunteer Work". Volunteer Work may refer to internships or student placements for a long period of time that is not with a Charity or Not for Profit Organisation.
If you have any questions you can contact your friendly Students' Union Volunteering Service at LBSU-Volunteering@Leedsbeckett.ac.uk or chat to the Universities Careers department regarding work/ "Volunteer Work" concerns at careers@leedsbeckett.ac.uk