Part/Full Time Jobs FAQs

Full time work is usually when a someone is working over 35 hours per week

Part Time work is usually anything below these hours per week

You have to be aged 13 or over to get a part time job, and can only start working full time when you have reached the minimum school leaving age which is 16 years old.

During term time children can only work a maximum of 12 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays
• a maximum of 5 hours on Saturdays for 13 to 14-year-olds, or 8 hours for 15 to 16-year-olds

During school holidays 13 to 14-year-olds are only allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

During school holidays 15 to 16-year-olds can only work a maximum of 35 hours a week. This includes:

• a maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays
• a maximum of 2 hours on Sunday

The National Minimum Wage depends on what age you are. (Apprentices minimum wage is set differently)

16-17 years old: £3.87

18-20 years old: £5.30

21+ : £6.70

Depending on whether you are in full or part time education you should set limits on your working hours so that your job does not interfere with your education. As a guide:

Part time education: Working a maximum of 30 hours per week is advisable when you are studying for 2-3 days per week.

Full time education: Working a maximum of 16 hours per week is advisable when studying 5 days per week.