Study Abroad Content Writer | Updated On - May 31, 2026
The UK minimum wage per hour from 1 April 2026 is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20, and £8.00 for workers under 18 and apprentices. These rates are set by the UK Government and apply to all eligible workers, including international students on a UK Student Visa. At 20 hours per week (the maximum allowed during term time for student visa holders), a student aged 21 or over earns around £254.20 per week (Rs 32,538) at the National Living Wage rate.
- The rate that applies to most Indian students is £12.71/hour: Most Indian students studying in the UK are 21 or older. This means the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour applies. At 20 hours per week, this works out to approximately £1,016 per month (Rs 1.30 lakh) before tax.
- The rates changed on 1 April 2026: The previous rate (April 2025 to March 2026) was £12.21/hour for workers aged 21 and over. The new rate of £12.71 represents a 4.1% increase. Always check the current rate at gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates as rates update every April.
- There are two separate wage systems in the UK: The government-mandated National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) are the legal minimums. The voluntary Real Living Wage (set by the Living Wage Foundation) is higher at £13.45/hour (£14.80 in London) and is paid by employers who choose to go above the legal minimum.
Current Currency Conversion: 1 GBP = INR 127 (as of 30 May 2026).
UK Minimum Wage Rates from April 2026
The UK minimum wage rates are updated every year on 1 April. The rates below are the current legally enforceable rates effective from 1 April 2026, as published on the official GOV.UK website. The rate that applies to you depends on your age and whether you are an apprentice.
| Worker Category | Age Group | Hourly Rate (GBP) | Hourly Rate (INR approx.) | Wage Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage | 21 and over | £12.71 | Rs 1,627 | National Living Wage (NLW) |
| National Minimum Wage | 18 to 20 | £10.85 | Rs 1,389 | National Minimum Wage (NMW) |
| National Minimum Wage | Under 18 (above school leaving age) | £8.00 | Rs 1,024 | National Minimum Wage (NMW) |
| Apprentice Rate | Under 19, or 19+ in the first year of apprenticeship | £8.00 | Rs 1,024 | Apprentice Rate |
Important Note: The apprentice rate of £8.00/hour applies only to apprentices who are either under 19 years old, or aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship. An apprentice aged 21 or over who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to the full National Living Wage of £12.71/hour. Contracts that pay below the minimum wage are not legally binding. The worker is still entitled to the correct minimum wage regardless of what the contract states. You can check whether you are being paid correctly using the minimum wage calculator at gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage.
Read more: Part-Time Jobs in the UK for Indian Students 2026
Previous UK Minimum Wage Rates (2024 to 2026)
The table below shows how UK minimum wage rates have changed over recent years. All figures are sourced from the official GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates page. Rates apply from 1 April of the stated year.
| Period | 21 and Over (NLW) | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice | Year-on-Year Increase (NLW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 (current) | £12.71 | £10.85 | £8.00 | £8.00 | +4.1% (up from £12.21) |
| April 2025 to March 2026 | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 | +6.7% (up from £11.44) |
| April 2024 to March 2025 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 | +9.8% (up from £10.42) |
| April 2023 to March 2024 | £10.42 (23 and over) | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 | +9.7% |
| April 2022 to March 2023 | £9.50 (23 and over) | £6.83 | £4.81 | £4.81 | +6.6% |
| April 2021 to March 2022 | £8.91 (23 and over) | £6.56 | £4.62 | £4.30 | +2.2% |
Important Note: Before April 2024, the National Living Wage applied only to workers aged 23 and over. From April 2024 onwards, it was extended to cover all workers aged 21 and over. This is a significant change for Indian students aged 21 and 22, who now receive the higher NLW rate of £12.71/hour instead of the lower 18 to 20 rate. The NLW has increased by approximately 42% since April 2021 (from £8.91 to £12.71), reflecting the UK Government's commitment to raising the minimum wage in line with the cost of living.
Real Living Wage vs National Living Wage: What is the Difference?
There are three different "living wage" figures in the UK. Understanding the difference helps you know what you are legally entitled to and what some employers voluntarily pay above the legal minimum.
| Wage Type | Rate (2025-26) | Rate in INR | Set By | Legal Requirement? | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (NLW) | £12.71/hour | Rs 1,627/hour | UK Government | Yes. Legally mandatory. |
All workers aged 21 and over |
| National Minimum Wage (NMW) | £10.85/hour (18 to 20) £8.00/hour (under 18 and apprentices) |
Rs 1,389/hour; Rs 1,024/hour | UK Government | Yes. Legally mandatory. |
Workers aged 18 to 20, under 18, and apprentices |
| Real Living Wage (UK-wide) |
£13.45/hour | Rs 1,722/hour | Living Wage Foundation (independent) | No. Voluntary only. |
Workers aged 18 and over at accredited employers |
| London Living Wage | £14.80/hour | Rs 1,894/hour | Living Wage Foundation (independent) | No. Voluntary only. |
Workers aged 18 and over at accredited London employers |
Important Note: The Real Living Wage (£13.45/hour) and London Living Wage (£14.80/hour) are set independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on actual living costs. They are not set by the government and are not legally required. However, over 15,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage. If you are job-hunting in the UK, look for employers accredited by the Living Wage Foundation – they pay above the legal minimum. In London specifically, the difference between the legal minimum (£12.71) and the London Living Wage (£14.80) is £2.09/hour. Over 20 hours per week, that is an extra £41.80/week (approx. Rs 5,350) in your pocket.
Who is Entitled to the UK Minimum Wage?
Most workers in the UK are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. This includes foreign workers and international students. The following information is sourced from the official GOV.UK guidance on who gets the minimum wage.
Workers who ARE entitled to the minimum wage include:
- Part-time workers
- Casual labourers (including those hired for a single day)
- Agency workers
- Apprentices
- Trainees and workers on probation
- Disabled workers
- Foreign workers (including international students on a UK Student Visa)
- Agricultural workers
- Workers paid by the number of items they make (piece-rate workers)
Workers who are NOT entitled to the minimum wage include:
- Self-employed people running their own business
- Company directors
- Volunteers and voluntary workers
- Members of the armed forces
- Family members of the employer living in the employer's home
- Workers younger than school leaving age (usually 16)
- Higher and further education students on a work placement or work experience of up to one year
- People shadowing others at work
- Prisoners
- People living and working in a religious community
Important Note: International students on a UK Student Visa are classified as foreign workers and are fully entitled to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. Your employer cannot legally pay you below the minimum wage, regardless of your visa status. If you believe you are not being paid the correct minimum wage, you can contact Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) via gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights. Students on a UK Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays.
Read more: Job Opportunities in the UK for Indian Students: Work Permit and Salary Guide
UK Minimum Wage for Indian Students: Weekly and Monthly Earnings
For Indian students on a UK Student Visa, the most relevant rate is the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour (for those aged 21 and over). The table below shows realistic weekly and monthly earnings at different working hours, before tax deductions.
| Hours Per Week | Weekly Earnings at £12.71/hour (GBP) | Weekly Earnings (INR approx.) |
Monthly Earnings (GBP approx.) |
Monthly Earnings (INR approx.) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 hours/week | £127.10 | Rs 16,269 | £508 | Rs 65,024 | Light part-time work alongside studies |
| 15 hours/week | £190.65 | Rs 24,403 | £763 | Rs 97,664 | Moderate part-time work |
| 20 hours/week (term-time maximum) |
£254.20 | Rs 32,538 | £1,016 | Rs 1,30,048 | Maximum allowed during term time on a Student Visa |
| 37.5 hours/week (full-time, holidays only) |
£476.63 | Rs 61,008 | £1,907 | Rs 2,44,096 | Full-time work permitted during official university holidays only |
The table below shows the same calculation for students aged 18 to 20, who receive the lower rate of £10.85/hour.
| Hours Per Week | Weekly Earnings at £10.85/hour (GBP) | Weekly Earnings (INR approx.) |
Monthly Earnings (GBP approx.) |
Monthly Earnings (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 hours/week | £108.50 | Rs 13,888 | £434 | Rs 55,552 |
| 15 hours/week | £162.75 | Rs 20,832 | £651 | Rs 83,328 |
| 20 hours/week (term-time maximum) | £217.00 | Rs 27,776 | £868 | Rs 1,11,104 |
Important Note: The earnings figures above are before tax. Most Indian students in the UK will pay some income tax and National Insurance on their earnings. The UK personal tax-free allowance for 2025-26 is £12,570 per year. If your total annual earnings from part-time work stay below £12,570, you will pay no income tax. At 20 hours per week for 40 weeks of term time, earnings at £12.71/hour total approximately £10,168 – below the tax-free threshold. However, if you also work full-time during holidays, your total annual earnings may exceed the threshold, and you will owe some tax. Many students on Reddit note that working 20 hours per week at minimum wage covers roughly 30 to 50% of monthly living costs in UK cities outside London, making it a meaningful but not sufficient income supplement.
Read more: Cost of Living in the UK for Indian Students 2026
The UK minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is £12.71/hour for workers aged 21 and over (National Living Wage), £10.85/hour for workers aged 18 to 20, and £8.00/hour for workers under 18 and apprentices. These rates are legally mandatory and apply to all workers, including international students. Indian students on a UK Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, earning approximately £1,016/month (approx. Rs 1,30,048) at the National Living Wage rate before tax. The voluntary Real Living Wage is higher at £13.45/hour (£14.80 in London) and is paid by over 15,000 accredited employers. Rates update every April – lways verify the current rate at gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
FAQs
Ques. What is the UK minimum wage per hour in 2026?
Ans. The UK minimum wage per hour from 1 April 2026 is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20, and £8.00 for workers under 18 and apprentices. These rates are set by the UK Government and are legally mandatory for all eligible workers. The rates change every year on 1 April. The current rates represent a 4.1% increase on the previous year's National Living Wage of £12.21/hour. At the current GBP to INR exchange rate of 1 GBP = Rs 128, the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour is approximately Rs 1,627/hour.
Ques. What is the UK minimum wage for Indian students in 2026?
Ans. Indian students on a UK Student Visa are entitled to the same minimum wage as all other workers in the UK. Most Indian students aged 21 and over receive the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour (approx. Rs 1,627/hour). Students aged 18 to 20 receive £10.85/hour (approx. Rs 1,389/hour). Students on a UK Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays. At 20 hours per week, a student aged 21 or over earns approximately £1,016/month (approx. Rs 1,30,048) before tax.
Ques. What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the Real Living Wage?
Ans. The National Living Wage (£12.71/hour from April 2026) is set by the UK Government and is legally mandatory for all workers aged 21 and over. The Real Living Wage (£13.45/hour UK-wide; £14.80/hour in London from 2025-26) is set independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on actual living costs. It is voluntary and not legally required. Over 15,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage. The London Living Wage of £14.80/hour is particularly relevant for Indian students studying and working in London, where the cost of living is significantly higher than the rest of the UK.
Ques. How much can an Indian student earn per month working part-time in the UK?
Ans. An Indian student aged 21 or over working 20 hours per week (the maximum allowed during term time on a UK Student Visa) at the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour earns approximately £254.20 per week and approximately £1,016 per month (approx. Rs 1,30,048) before tax. Students aged 18 to 20 working 20 hours per week at £10.85/hour earn approximately £217 per week and approximately £868 per month (approx. Rs 1,11,104) before tax. During official university holidays, students can work full-time and earn significantly more.
Ques. Are international students entitled to the UK minimum wage?
Ans. Yes. International students, including Indian students on a UK Student Visa, are classified as foreign workers and are fully entitled to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. This is confirmed on the official GOV.UK guidance on who gets the minimum wage. Your employer cannot legally pay you below the minimum wage regardless of your visa status or nationality. If you believe you are being underpaid, you can report it to Acas via gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights or use the minimum wage calculator at gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage.
Ques. When did the UK minimum wage last increase?
Ans. The UK minimum wage last increased on 1 April 2026. The National Living Wage rose from £12.21/hour to £12.71/hour, a 4.1% increase. The 18 to 20 rate rose from £10.00/hour to £10.85/hour. The under 18 and apprentice rate rose from £7.55/hour to £8.00/hour. Before that, the National Living Wage increased by 6.7% on 1 April 2025 (from £11.44 to £12.21). UK minimum wage rates are reviewed and updated every year on 1 April based on recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.
Ques. What is the UK minimum wage per hour in INR?
Ans. At the current exchange rate of 1 GBP = Rs 128 (May 2026), the UK minimum wage rates in Indian Rupees are: National Living Wage (21 and over) at £12.71/hour, which is approximately Rs 1,627/hour. The 18 to 20 rate at £10.85/hour is approximately Rs 1,389/hour. The under-18 and apprentice rate at £8.00/hour is approximately Rs 1,024/hour. The voluntary Real Living Wage at £13.45/hour is approximately Rs 1,722/hour. The London Living Wage at £14.80/hour is approximately Rs 1,894/hour. Exchange rates fluctuate, so always check the current GBP to INR rate before making financial calculations.
Ques. How many hours can Indian students work in the UK per week?
Ans. Indian students on a UK Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During official university holidays (summer, winter, and Easter breaks), students can work full-time with no time restrictions. The 20-hour limit applies to the total hours worked across all jobs combined, not per employer. Exceeding the 20-hour limit during term time is a visa condition violation and can result in visa curtailment. Always check your visa conditions and your university's term dates to ensure you stay within the permitted hours.
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