Muslim students: compatible internships, work-study and part-time jobs

Student years are often the first contact with the world of work: a part-time job, an internship, a work-study programme. For a Muslim student, this is also when questions of lawfulness, prayer times, Ramadan during exams and the choice of host company arise in concrete terms.

This guide helps you make choices consistent with your values while building a solid career path: types of contract, sectors, selecting companies, relations with your university and the situation of international students.

The different forms of experience

The student job

It pays for your studies and gives you a first taste of work. The most common are tutoring, childcare, retail, logistics, reception, delivery and youth activities. Some need checking from a religious point of view, such as waiting tables where alcohol plays a central role.

The internship

Part of the course, it is governed in France by an agreement between the student, the institution and the host organisation. Beyond a certain length, French law entitles the intern to a minimum allowance.

Work-study (alternance)

In France, the apprenticeship contract and the professionalisation contract let you alternate between periods in a company and periods of study. The work-study student is a fully fledged employee: paid, with training costs covered, and gaining experience that recruiters value highly. In the UK, degree apprenticeships follow a similar logic. The choice of company is therefore decisive, as you commit to it for one or more years.

Choosing a compatible host company

Before signing, it is worth checking:

• the main activity of the company and of the department you will join;
• the actual tasks given to the apprentice or intern;
• the team culture: frequent drinks, events with alcohol, flexibility of hours;
• whether the internal rules include a neutrality clause.

A finance student might, for example, aim for a bank offering participatory products or a consultancy rather than a consumer credit department. The page on conventional banking and riba sets out common scholarly positions on this sector.

Courses geared towards the halal economy

Some study paths lead directly to careers linked to the Islamic economy: specialised degrees in Islamic finance offered by a number of universities and business schools, courses in food quality and safety, Arabic language and civilisation, international trade. These programmes prepare students for roles such as compliance analyst, quality auditor or business developer working with the Gulf states and South-East Asia. The pages on training for halal careers and on Islamic finance as a career path describe these routes in detail.

Prayer, Ramadan and exams

At university, students' religious freedom is in principle recognised, provided the institution can function properly: no disruption of classes, compliance with hygiene and safety rules in laboratories, regular attendance. Exam dates are not moved for religious reasons. During Ramadan, it is therefore advisable to plan your revision ahead and adapt your sleep patterns.

In a company, the apprentice is covered by employment law like any other employee; possible adjustments are described in the guide on fasting during working hours.

International students

In France, international students holding a student residence permit may in principle work part-time, up to an annual limit on hours. Work-study contracts and internships follow specific rules depending on nationality and the permit held. These rules change regularly, so check your exact situation with the prefecture and your institution's international office. In the UK, the conditions attached to your student visa set the number of hours you may work during term time. At European level, the EURES network provides information on job mobility between EU countries.

Building your network while studying

Student societies, conferences on ethical finance, work-study fairs, mentoring by alumni: the network you build during your studies is often decisive for your first job. Muslim student associations sometimes organise meetings with professionals, which are useful for discussing real career paths.

Funding your studies without interest

Funding your studies also raises religious questions. A standard bank student loan carries interest, which most scholars consider problematic. Other options exist: means-tested or merit-based grants, local authority support, work-study programmes that fund the training and pay a salary, student jobs, family support, and interest-free honour loans offered by some associations. Students considering borrowing should explore these options first and, if necessary, consult a qualified scholar about their situation.

Work-study has a particular advantage here: it generally removes tuition fees for the student and provides a regular income, which greatly reduces the need to borrow.

Practical checklist

• decide early which sectors and activities you want to avoid;
• analyse the real tasks before signing a work-study contract;
• identify courses linked to the halal economy;
• plan ahead for Ramadan during exam periods;
• check your right to work if you are an international student;
• build your network from your first year.