Part-Time Jobs at University: How to Earn Money While Studying

A part-time job can help make university more affordable, build your confidence and give you useful experience for future job applications.

Students work for many different reasons. You might need to cover a gap between your Maintenance Loan and rent, want extra money for social activities or hope to gain experience connected with your future career.

Working alongside a degree can be valuable, but the job needs to fit around your studies. Taking on too many hours can affect your attendance, sleep, assignments and wellbeing.

This guide explains:

• How many hours students should work

• The best part-time jobs at university

• How much you could earn

• Where to find student jobs

• How tax and National Insurance work

• Whether earnings affect student finance

• Your employment rights

• The rules for international students

• How to balance work with your degree

Pay rates and employment rules in this guide were checked in July 2026. Minimum wage rates normally change each April, so check the latest official figures before accepting a job.

Is Getting a Part-Time Job at University a Good Idea?

For many students, yes.

A part-time job can provide both financial and professional benefits.

Financial benefits

Earnings can help you pay for:

• Food

• Transport

• Course materials

• Household bills

• Social activities

• Travel home

• Emergency savings

• The gap between rent and your Maintenance Loan

Government guidance acknowledges that Maintenance Loans may not cover all living costs and identifies part-time work as one way students may fund the difference.

Professional benefits

A student job can also help you develop:

• Communication skills

• Teamwork

• Time management

• Customer service

• Organisation

• Problem-solving

• Confidence

• Commercial awareness

• Experience of workplace expectations

Even when a job is not directly related to your intended career, these transferable skills can strengthen your CV.

Working in a café may not be the obvious first step towards becoming an engineer, solicitor or psychologist. However, handling customers, managing competing priorities and remaining calm when everything becomes unexpectedly busy are useful in almost every workplace.

Social benefits

A part-time job can introduce you to people outside your course and accommodation.

This can be particularly helpful if you:

• Commute to university

• Arrive without knowing anyone

• Want to meet local people

• Prefer structured social situations

• Want experience working with people from different backgrounds

The right job can make you feel more connected to the university or local community.

What Are the Disadvantages of Working at University?

Part-time work can become a problem when it takes priority over the degree.

Possible disadvantages include:

• Less time for independent study

• Missing lectures or seminars

• Difficulty attending group work

• Tiredness

• Reduced social time

• Increased stress

• Working late before early teaching

• Difficulty completing placements

• Reduced flexibility during assessment periods

The financial benefit of working may be reduced if the job also creates:

• Expensive travel costs

• Uniform costs

• Unpaid training

• Late-night taxi fares

• Regular meals bought away from home

Before accepting a role, calculate what you will actually gain after work-related expenses.

How Many Hours Should a University Student Work?

There is no perfect number for every student.

UCAS reports that most course providers recommend working fewer than 15 hours per week during term time. The job should be flexible enough to fit around lectures and study.

A useful starting point is:

Hours per week	Likely effect
5 to 8 hours	Provides some income with limited disruption
8 to 12 hours	Manageable for many full-time students
12 to 15 hours	Requires careful planning
16 to 20 hours	May be difficult during busy academic periods
More than 20 hours	Likely to put significant pressure on a full-time degree

These are not strict rules. Your realistic limit depends on:

• Course contact hours

• Independent study expectations

• Placements

• Laboratory work

• Commuting

• Disability or health needs

• Caring responsibilities

• Job location

• Shift length

• Assessment schedule

A student with eight contact hours and a flexible campus job may manage more employment than a student with long clinical placements, laboratory sessions or mandatory studio time.

Start with fewer hours. You can increase them later if your academic workload allows.

Remember That a Full-Time Degree Is Full-Time

A timetable showing ten hours of lectures does not mean your degree requires only ten hours of work.

A full-time course normally also includes:

• Reading

• Research

• Revision

• Seminar preparation

• Assignments

• Group projects

• Laboratory reports

• Placement preparation

• Independent practice

Protect enough time for both scheduled teaching and independent study.

Your job should fit around university. University should not have to squeeze itself into the spaces your employer has kindly left available.

How Much Can Students Earn in 2026?

Your legal minimum hourly rate normally depends on your age.

The following National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates have applied since 1 April 2026:

Age or category	Minimum hourly rate
Aged 21 or over	£12.71
Aged 18 to 20	£10.85
Aged under 18	£8.00
Apprentice rate	£8.00

The apprentice rate generally applies to apprentices under 19 or those aged 19 and over who are in the first year of an apprenticeship.

Employers can pay more than the legal minimum. Campus jobs, tutoring, specialist support work and roles requiring particular skills may offer higher rates.

Example Part-Time Student Earnings

The following examples show gross pay before any tax, National Insurance, pension contributions or other deductions.

Students aged 21 or over

Hours per week	Weekly gross pay at £12.71	Average monthly gross pay
8 hours	£101.68	Approximately £441
10 hours	£127.10	Approximately £551
12 hours	£152.52	Approximately £661
15 hours	£190.65	Approximately £826
20 hours	£254.20	Approximately £1,102

Students aged 18 to 20

Hours per week	Weekly gross pay at £10.85	Average monthly gross pay
8 hours	£86.80	Approximately £376
10 hours	£108.50	Approximately £470
12 hours	£130.20	Approximately £564
15 hours	£162.75	Approximately £705
20 hours	£217.00	Approximately £940

Monthly figures assume the same hours are worked throughout the year. Actual earnings may vary because of holidays, cancelled shifts, exam breaks or overtime. Calculations use the statutory rates applying from April 2026.

How Much Could a Part-Time Job Add to Your Budget?

Even a relatively small number of hours can make a meaningful difference.

A student aged 21 or over working ten hours a week at minimum wage could earn approximately £551 gross per month.

That money could contribute towards:

• Groceries

• Local transport

• Phone and internet costs

• Laundry

• Course materials

• Social spending

However, do not build your essential budget around every possible shift.

Use a cautious estimate based on:

• Guaranteed contracted hours

• Your lowest likely monthly earnings

• Time away during university holidays

• Reduced availability during exams

• Unpaid sickness or cancelled shifts

Read Budgeting for Students [Budgeting for Students] before including estimated wages in your annual plan.

The Best Part-Time Jobs at University

The best student job is not necessarily the one with the highest hourly rate.

A suitable job should ideally offer:

• Flexible hours

• Reasonable travel time

• An understanding manager

• Predictable pay

• Safe working conditions

• Hours that do not clash with teaching

• The ability to reduce shifts during exams

Prospects recommends looking for flexible work close to campus or your accommodation, with a manager who understands that your studies take priority.

On-Campus Jobs

University jobs are often ideal because employers understand academic timetables and assessment periods.

Possible campus roles include:

• Student ambassador

• Library assistant

• Reception assistant

• Administrative assistant

• Open-day guide

• Campus tour guide

• Student content creator

• Social media assistant

• IT support assistant

• Research assistant

• Laboratory helper

• Events assistant

• Catering worker

• Bar worker

• Sports-centre assistant

• Student union employee

• Peer mentor

• Note taker

• Academic support worker

Advantages of campus work

Campus jobs may provide:

• Short shifts between teaching sessions

• Reduced travel time

• Employers familiar with student schedules

• Work during open days and university events

• Experience connected with higher education

• Opportunities to meet staff and students

• Easier access to university support if a problem occurs

These roles can be popular, so apply early.

Student Ambassador Jobs

Student ambassadors represent the university at events such as:

• Open days

• Applicant days

• Campus tours

• School visits

• Widening-participation events

• Online question sessions

• Graduation

• Welcome week

This work can develop:

• Public speaking

• Communication

• Leadership

• Event management

• Confidence

• Knowledge of recruitment and admissions

The hours may be irregular, but the role can fit well around a degree.

It is especially useful for students interested in:

• Education

• Marketing

• Events

• Communications

• Recruitment

• Public relations

Library and Study-Support Jobs

Library roles may involve:

• Shelving books

• Helping users

• Managing loans

• Supporting study spaces

• Answering enquiries

• Providing basic IT assistance

• Working during evenings or weekends

These jobs are often convenient and based on campus.

Do not assume that a library job means being paid to revise quietly for six hours. Employers have an impressive tendency to expect actual work.

Student Union Jobs

Students’ unions may recruit for:

• Bars and cafés

• Shops

• Reception

• Events

• Marketing

• Advice services

• Elections

• Clubs and societies

• Venue security

• Technical support

Union employers are often experienced in arranging work around students’ timetables.

Some positions are available only during busy periods, such as welcome week, elections or large events.

Retail Jobs

Retail can offer:

• Evening shifts

• Weekend work

• Holiday work

• Staff discounts

• Opportunities to transfer between branches

• Experience in customer service and sales

Possible employers include:

• Supermarkets

• Clothing shops

• Bookshops

• Technology retailers

• Department stores

• Campus shops

Retail becomes particularly busy before Christmas. Seasonal employment can be useful if you would rather work intensively during holidays than throughout term.

Hospitality Jobs

Hospitality roles include:

• Bar work

• Waiting

• Café work

• Kitchen work

• Hotel work

• Event catering

• Reception

• Food service

Advantages can include flexible evening and weekend shifts.

Possible disadvantages include:

• Late finishes

• Physically demanding work

• Unpredictable rotas

• Busy weekend periods

• Travel home after public transport ends

Check whether late-night transport will reduce your earnings or create a safety concern.

Tutoring

Tutoring can offer higher hourly pay and may fit around university.

You could tutor:

• GCSE subjects

• A-Level subjects

• Music

• Languages

• Admissions tests

• Academic skills

• English as an additional language

Tutoring can develop:

• Communication

• Planning

• Subject knowledge

• Confidence

• Teaching experience

You may find work through:

• A tutoring company

• A university programme

• Local schools

• Community organisations

• An established tutoring platform

Students with visa restrictions must check whether a tutoring arrangement makes them self-employed. Student visa holders are normally prohibited from self-employment.

Being paid through an established employer is not necessarily the same as operating your own tutoring business, but you should confirm your employment status before beginning.

Administrative Work

Administrative jobs may be available through:

• University departments

• Local businesses

• Charities

• Healthcare providers

• Schools

• Recruitment agencies

Typical tasks include:

• Data entry

• Email management

• Reception work

• Filing

• Booking appointments

• Spreadsheet updates

• Customer enquiries

This can be useful experience for careers requiring organisation, written communication and digital skills.

Care and Support Work

Possible roles include:

• Care assistant

• Support worker

• Healthcare assistant

• Personal assistant

• Activity assistant

• Learning support worker

These jobs can provide valuable experience for students interested in:

• Medicine

• Nursing

• Psychology

• Social work

• Education

• Occupational therapy

• Allied health professions

Some roles require:

• Background checks

• Training

• Vaccinations

• Evening or weekend work

• Emotional resilience

• Personal care duties

Read the job description carefully and make sure you understand the responsibilities before applying.

University Research Jobs

Departments sometimes employ students to help with:

• Data entry

• Participant recruitment

• Transcription

• Literature searching

• Laboratory preparation

• Surveys

• Interviews

• Research events

These opportunities can be particularly valuable if you are considering postgraduate study or a research career.

Ask lecturers, department administrators and the university careers service about available roles.

Event and Temporary Work

Short-term work may be available at:

• Conferences

• Festivals

• Sports events

• Graduation

• University events

• Exhibitions

• Christmas markets

• Hospitality venues

Temporary work can be useful when you want flexibility or additional hours during quieter academic periods.

Check:

• Whether hours are guaranteed

• How and when you will be paid

• Whether travel expenses are included

• What happens if an event is cancelled

• Whether training is paid

Freelancing and Self-Employment

Some students earn money through:

• Graphic design

• Photography

• Writing

• Editing

• Web design

• Music lessons

• Social media management

• Selling handmade products

• Content creation

Self-employed work can offer flexibility, but it also creates responsibilities relating to:

• Tax records

• Invoices

• Expenses

• Contracts

• Insurance

• Self Assessment

It is not suitable for everyone.

Student visa holders must be especially careful. The standard Student visa prohibits self-employment and business activity.

Do not assume that calling work a “side hustle” changes its legal status. Immigration law remains impressively unmoved by trendy vocabulary.

Paid Internships

An internship can provide income and experience related to your chosen career.

Internships might be:

• Part-time during term

• Full-time during holidays

• Remote

• Project-based

• Offered by the university

• Offered directly by an employer

A paid internship can help you:

• Understand an industry

• Build professional contacts

• Develop technical skills

• Improve your graduate applications

• Test whether a career suits you

Prospects describes internships as fixed periods of work experience that can range from one week to a year.

An intern who legally counts as a worker is normally entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The word “intern” does not remove employment rights.

Unpaid Work Experience

Some unpaid experience can be lawful, including genuine volunteering and certain placements completed as part of a course.

However, be cautious when an organisation expects you to:

• Work fixed hours

• Perform normal staff duties

• Meet targets

• Follow a work rota

• Produce valuable commercial work

• Continue for a long period without pay

Whether someone is legally entitled to minimum wage depends on their employment status and the actual working arrangement, not merely the title given to the role.

Ask your careers service for advice before accepting a substantial unpaid role.

How to Find Part-Time Jobs at University

Check your university jobs board

Universities commonly advertise:

• Campus roles

• Local part-time jobs

• Internships

• Temporary work

• Graduate opportunities

Use the university’s careers website and vacancy system.

Visit the careers service

The careers team may offer:

• Vacancy searches

• CV reviews

• Application advice

• Mock interviews

• Employer events

• Internship programmes

Do not wait until final year to use the careers service.

Check the students’ union

The union may advertise its own jobs and roles offered by local employers.

Ask academic departments

Departments may need students for:

• Open days

• Research

• Administration

• Peer mentoring

• Laboratory support

• Social media

• Outreach work

Search established job websites

Use filters for:

• Part-time hours

• Weekend work

• Evening work

• Temporary contracts

• Location

• Remote work

Approach local employers

Restaurants, cafés, shops and venues may advertise vacancies:

• In windows

• On their websites

• On social media

• Through local job groups

Use an up-to-date CV and make sure you know when you are available.

Register with a reputable agency

Employment agencies may offer:

• Administrative work

• Events work

• Hospitality shifts

• Warehouse work

• Holiday cover

Check how the agency handles:

• Pay

• Holiday entitlement

• Shift cancellations

• Timesheets

• Deductions

• Contracts

When Should You Apply for Student Jobs?

Start looking before or soon after arriving at university.

Many campus and local jobs recruit around:

• August

• September

• Welcome week

• November for Christmas work

• Spring for summer roles

• The weeks before open days or graduation

Apply early, but do not accept a job until you understand your timetable and course expectations.

A role that looks manageable during welcome week may feel very different once laboratory reports, seminars and group assignments arrive.

How to Write a Student CV

A student CV does not need years of professional experience.

Include:

• Contact details

• Education

• Employment

• Volunteering

• Positions of responsibility

• Relevant skills

• Achievements

• Availability

Evidence can come from:

• School projects

• Societies

• Sports teams

• Volunteering

• Caring responsibilities

• Previous part-time work

• Personal projects

Turn activities into workplace evidence

Instead of writing:

Helped at a school event.

Write:

Welcomed visitors, answered questions and worked with a team to manage registration for more than 200 attendees.

Focus on:

• What you did

• Which skills you used

• The result

• Any numbers or responsibilities

How to Apply Without Previous Work Experience

Employers hiring students often expect applicants to have limited experience.

Use examples from:

• Group assignments

• School

• College

• Volunteering

• Clubs

• Sports

• Caring

• Hobbies

• Community activities

For example, a group project can demonstrate:

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Planning

• Meeting deadlines

• Resolving disagreements

Being new to paid work does not mean you have no relevant skills.

How to Choose the Right Student Job

Before accepting, ask:

About hours

• How many hours are guaranteed?

• Are shifts fixed or variable?

• Are evenings or weekends required?

• Can hours be reduced during exams?

• How much notice is given for the rota?

• Can shifts be swapped?

About pay

• What is the hourly rate?

• When is payday?

• Is training paid?

• Are trial shifts paid?

• Is holiday pay included separately?

• Are tips guaranteed?

• Are there deductions for uniforms or equipment?

About location

• How long is the journey?

• Is transport available after late shifts?

• How much will travel cost?

• Is the route safe at night?

About the contract

• Is it permanent, fixed-term, temporary or zero-hours?

• Is there a probation period?

• How much notice must you give?

• Are hours guaranteed?

• Can you work elsewhere?

About the role

• What will you actually do?

• Is training provided?

• Is previous experience required?

• Will you work alone?

• Who should you contact if there is a problem?

A higher hourly wage may not compensate for expensive travel, unpredictable hours or repeated late-night finishes.

Balancing Part-Time Work and Study

Use your academic timetable first

Block out:

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Laboratories

• Placement days

• Travel

• Independent study

• Assignment deadlines

Then identify realistic work periods.

Do not offer complete availability to an employer and attempt to negotiate with your degree afterwards.

Protect study time

Schedule regular time for:

• Reading

• Assignments

• Revision

• Group projects

• Lecture preparation

Treat this time as seriously as a work shift.

Avoid difficult shift patterns

Be cautious about:

• Late shifts before early teaching

• Several closing shifts in a row

• Long shifts during assessment weeks

• Regular weekend work without rest

• Shifts requiring lengthy travel

Discuss exams early

Tell your employer about major assessment periods as soon as dates are available.

Do not wait until the rota has been published to reveal that you have three exams and a dissertation deadline.

Review the balance

Reduce hours when:

• Attendance begins to fall

• Assignments are repeatedly late

• You are constantly exhausted

• Your grades decline

• Work prevents required placement attendance

• You no longer have recovery time

• Your health is affected

Working fewer hours temporarily is better than allowing both work and university to become unmanageable.

Create a Work and Study Schedule

A weekly plan might look like this:

Activity	Hours
Scheduled teaching	14
Independent study	20
Part-time job	10
Commuting	5
Societies or exercise	4
Essential tasks	7
Sleep and personal time	Remaining hours

The purpose is not to plan every minute. It is to check whether your commitments can realistically fit together.

Remember to include travel and recovery time, not only the hours printed on the rota.

Should You Work During Exams?

This depends on:

• Your financial position

• Assessment format

• Job flexibility

• Available annual leave

• Number of exams

• Your preparation

Possible options include:

• Reducing shifts

• Taking paid holiday

• Swapping shifts

• Working only one short shift

• Pausing work temporarily

• Working more during vacations instead

Discuss this with the employer early.

A flexible manager can be one of the most valuable features of a student job.

Holiday and Seasonal Work

Working during university vacations can reduce the pressure to work throughout term.

Possible holiday jobs include:

• Christmas retail

• Hospitality

• Warehouse work

• Summer camps

• Festivals

• Tourism

• University accommodation

• Conference work

• Administrative cover

• Tutoring

• Internships

Prospects notes that universities may continue recruiting temporary staff during summer for facilities such as offices, shops, bars and libraries.

Seasonal work may allow you to:

• Earn more hours over a short period

• Build savings

• Reduce term-time work

• Gain full-time experience

• Return to a previous employer each holiday

Do Students Pay Income Tax?

Students are not automatically exempt from Income Tax.

Government guidance states that students may need to pay:

• Income Tax when average earnings exceed £1,048 per month

• National Insurance when earnings exceed £242 per week

Employers normally collect both through PAYE.

The exact amount deducted depends on:

• Total income

• Pay frequency

• Tax code

• Other jobs

• Pension contributions

• Current tax rules

Check your payslip rather than assuming students never pay tax.

What If Too Much Tax Is Deducted?

Too much tax can be taken when:

• You start without a P45

• The employer uses an emergency tax code

• You have more than one job

• HMRC has incomplete information

• You work only for part of the tax year

Check your tax code and first payslip carefully. HMRC provides a service for checking whether the tax shown on a payslip is correct.

Keep:

• Payslips

• P45s

• P60s

• Details of each employer

You may be able to request a refund if you have overpaid.

Do Part-Time Earnings Affect Your Maintenance Loan?

For students funded by Student Finance England, earnings from work completed during the academic year, including evening, weekend and holiday work, do not normally need to be declared when your own income is assessed.

Taxable unearned income, such as some property, investment or trust income, may still need to be included.

This means that taking a normal part-time job will not usually reduce your English Maintenance Loan.

However, earnings may affect:

• Means-tested benefits

• University hardship-fund assessments

• Some charitable grants

• Certain bursaries

• Tax

• National Insurance

Check the rules applying to your own funding.

Can Full-Time Students Claim Universal Credit?

Full-time students cannot usually claim Universal Credit, although there are exceptions for some students, including certain students with children, partners or qualifying disabilities.

When a student is eligible, employment earnings can affect the amount of Universal Credit received.

Seek specialist welfare advice if you receive benefits or support dependants.

Do You Make Student Loan Repayments from a Part-Time Job?

Most current undergraduates are not yet due to repay the loan for the course they are studying.

Repayments normally begin from the April after you finish or leave, and only when your income exceeds the threshold for your repayment plan.

You might have deductions while studying if you are already liable to repay a loan from an earlier course and your earnings exceed the relevant pay-period threshold.

Check your payslip and Student Loans Company account if a deduction appears unexpectedly.

Read Student Loan Repayments Explained [Student Loan Repayments Explained] for the current thresholds and worked examples.

Your Rights in a Part-Time Job

Being a student does not remove your employment rights.

Your exact rights depend on whether you are classed as:

• An employee

• A worker

• Self-employed

Employment status affects rights relating to pay, leave and working conditions.

Minimum wage

Most workers are entitled to at least the legal minimum rate for their age.

Written terms

Employers must give employees and workers a principal written statement containing the main employment conditions on the first day of work. A wider statement must normally be provided within two months.

Check that it includes information about:

• Pay

• Hours

• Start date

• Job role

• Holiday

• Notice

• Place of work

• Contract duration

Payslips

Your employer must normally provide a payslip on or before payday.

It should show:

• Gross pay

• Deductions

• Net pay

• Hours worked when pay varies by hours

Paid holiday

Part-time workers are normally entitled to paid holiday calculated proportionally. Workers with regular hours throughout the year are entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid leave, adjusted for the number of days or hours they work.

Rest breaks

Workers over 18 are usually entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute break when they work for more than six hours in a day. Whether the break is paid depends on the contract.

Equal treatment

Part-time workers should not normally be treated less favourably than comparable full-time workers simply because they work part-time.

What Is a Zero-Hours Contract?

A zero-hours contract does not usually guarantee a minimum number of hours.

This can provide flexibility, but it can also make income unpredictable.

Before accepting one, ask:

• How many hours do workers usually receive?

• How much notice is given?

• Can you refuse shifts?

• What happens when a shift is cancelled?

• Is holiday pay included?

• Are you expected to remain available?

• Can you work for another employer?

Do not build essential spending around shifts that are not guaranteed.

Record your actual hours and compare them with your payslips.

Be Careful with Unpaid Trial Shifts

A short skills demonstration during a genuine recruitment process may be treated differently from productive work.

However, be cautious when an employer asks you to:

• Work a full normal shift

• Serve customers

• Complete several unpaid trials

• Cover staff shortages

• Perform work that benefits the business

Ask whether the trial will be paid before attending.

Keep written evidence of:

• Dates

• Times

• Tasks

• Messages

• The person who arranged the shift

Seek advice if you believe you have completed work without receiving the pay legally due.

Part-Time Work for International Students

International students must check their immigration conditions before beginning any work.

Do not rely only on what friends, employers or social media say.

Check:

• Your eVisa or immigration documentation

• Your university’s international student team

• Official immigration guidance

• The term dates defined by your university

Degree-level students

A Student visa holder studying a full-time degree-level course with an eligible higher education provider is normally permitted to work:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time

• Full-time during official vacations

Courses below degree level

Some full-time students studying below degree level may be restricted to:

• Up to 10 hours per week during term time

• Full-time work during official vacations

Other students may have no permission to work.

Part-time Student visa courses

Students sponsored for certain part-time courses are not normally permitted to work under the Student route.

The weekly limit applies across every job

The limit is the total across all employment.

For example, a student with a 20-hour limit who works:

• 12 hours in a shop

• 5 hours for the university

has only 3 hours remaining for that week.

UKCISA explains that an immigration week runs from Monday to Sunday and that students are responsible for recording hours across multiple employers.

Voluntary work can count

Voluntary work can count towards the permitted weekly hours, depending on the arrangement. The Home Office gives an example of a student with a 20-hour limit who works 15 paid hours and can therefore complete no more than five hours of voluntary work during that week.

Volunteering for a charity is not always legally identical to voluntary work, so ask the university’s international adviser when unsure.

Self-employment is normally prohibited

Student visa holders are not normally permitted to:

• Be self-employed

• Run a business

• Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

This can affect activities such as:

• Freelancing

• Private tutoring

• Selling goods as a business

• Paid content creation

• Gig-economy work

• Operating through online marketplaces

Check before accepting any work where you are asked to invoice the organisation or describe yourself as self-employed.

Term dates matter

Full-time work is permitted only during official vacation periods where your visa conditions allow it.

A week without lectures is not automatically a vacation.

Postgraduate and research students may have different term structures from undergraduates. Confirm the dates with your university before increasing your hours.

Breaching work conditions can have serious immigration consequences, even when the employer offered the hours.

Part-Time Job Scams and Warning Signs

Be cautious when a job:

• Promises unusually high pay for little work

• Requires an upfront fee

• Asks you to buy expensive training

• Requests bank security information

• Asks you to receive and transfer money

• Involves using your account for somebody else’s payments

• Offers employment without checking your identity or right to work

• Has no clear employer or business address

• Communicates only through encrypted messaging

• Pressures you to act immediately

• Asks for passport documents through an unverified link

A legitimate employer may need:

• Proof of identity

• Proof of right to work

• National Insurance information

• Bank details for payroll

Provide this information only through a verified process after confirming the employer is genuine.

Never allow an employer or recruiter to use your bank account to move money on behalf of somebody else.

Red Flags in a Student Job

Think carefully before accepting a role when:

• Pay is below minimum wage.

• The employer will not provide written terms.

• Shifts repeatedly clash with teaching.

• Rotas arrive with almost no notice.

• You are pressured to work while ill.

• You are not given payslips.

• Deductions are unexplained.

• Unpaid trial shifts become regular work.

• The workplace feels unsafe.

• The employer ignores visa restrictions.

• You are told that employment rights do not apply to students.

• You are expected to be available constantly without guaranteed work.

Ask your university, students’ union or an employment-rights adviser for support.

When Should You Leave a Part-Time Job?

It may be time to reduce your hours or resign when:

• The job is affecting your grades.

• You regularly miss teaching.

• Your health is deteriorating.

• The employer ignores your availability.

• You are not paid correctly.

• The work is unsafe.

• The role breaches visa conditions.

• Travel costs make the job unprofitable.

• You are constantly exhausted.

• You have found more suitable employment.

Check the notice period in your written terms before resigning.

Leave professionally where possible. A positive reference may help with future applications.

What If You Need Income but Cannot Manage a Job?

Some courses and personal circumstances make regular employment difficult.

Alternative support may include:

• University bursaries

• Scholarships

• Hardship funds

• Additional student finance

• Disability-related support

• Grants for dependants

• Course-specific funding

• Charitable grants

• Holiday-only employment

Contact the university’s money advice service before relying on expensive borrowing.

Read Scholarships vs Bursaries [Scholarships vs Bursaries] and How to Apply for Student Finance [How to Apply for Student Finance] to check whether you have missed any support.

Part-Time Job Checklist for Students

Before searching

• Check your academic timetable.

• Decide how many hours are realistic.

• Check your visa conditions where relevant.

• Update your CV.

• Identify useful skills.

• Register with the university careers service.

• Set a minimum acceptable hourly rate.

• Calculate how far you can travel.

Before accepting a job

• Confirm the hourly rate.

• Check guaranteed hours.

• Ask when you will be paid.

• Check the shift pattern.

• Calculate travel costs.

• Ask about exam flexibility.

• Read the written terms.

• Check holiday entitlement.

• Understand the notice period.

• Confirm whether training is paid.

• Make sure the work complies with your visa.

After starting

• Keep a copy of your contract.

• Record your hours.

• Check every payslip.

• Review your tax code.

• Save P45 and P60 documents.

• Keep your manager informed of assessment dates.

• Track earnings in your budget.

• Review the work-study balance.

• Report incorrect pay promptly.

• Reduce hours if university work suffers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Part-Time Jobs at University

How many hours should a university student work?

Many course providers recommend fewer than 15 hours per week during term time. Your suitable limit depends on your course, travel, health and other responsibilities.

What are the best jobs for university students?

Good options include campus work, student ambassador roles, retail, hospitality, tutoring, administration, library work and paid internships. The best role offers flexible hours and reasonable travel.

How much can a student earn part-time?

From April 2026, the minimum rate is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over and £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20. Employers may pay more.

Do students pay tax on part-time jobs?

Students follow the normal tax rules. Income Tax and National Insurance may be deducted when earnings exceed the relevant thresholds.

Does a part-time job reduce the Maintenance Loan?

For Student Finance England, ordinary earnings from evening, weekend and holiday work during the academic year do not normally need to be declared in the student-income assessment.

Can I have two part-time jobs?

Yes, provided the hours remain manageable and both contracts allow it. International students must count hours across every job when applying their visa limit.

Can international students work part-time?

Many degree-level Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during official vacations. Check the exact conditions attached to your immigration permission.

Can international students freelance?

Student visa holders are not normally allowed to be self-employed. Freelance work may count as self-employment, so seek immigration advice before beginning.

Are campus jobs better than local jobs?

They can be more convenient and flexible, but they are not automatically better paid. Compare hours, pay, duties, travel and career value.

Can I work only during university holidays?

Yes. Seasonal work, temporary roles and internships can provide income without placing as much pressure on term-time study.

Does volunteering count as work?

For employment law and immigration purposes, volunteering and voluntary work can be treated differently. Student visa holders should get advice because some voluntary work counts towards their weekly limit.

Are unpaid internships legal?

Some are, but interns who count as workers are normally entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Employment status depends on the real arrangement rather than the title “intern”.

Am I entitled to paid holiday in a part-time job?

Most employees and workers are entitled to paid holiday. Regular part-time workers normally receive a pro-rata share of at least 5.6 weeks’ annual leave.

What should I do if I am paid incorrectly?

Check your hours, contract and payslip. Raise the problem with your employer in writing and keep copies of all records. Your students’ union or an employment adviser may be able to help.

Should I use my earnings for rent?

You can, but base essential costs on reliable hours rather than optional shifts. Keep rent money separate from everyday spending.

What if work is affecting my degree?

Speak to your manager and reduce your hours. Contact your personal tutor or student support service if you are struggling academically or financially.

Final Thoughts on Part-Time Jobs at University

A part-time job can provide much more than extra money.

It can help you:

• Manage university living costs

• Build confidence

• Develop workplace skills

• Gain experience

• Meet new people

• Strengthen graduate applications

The key is finding work that fits around your degree rather than competing with it.

Look for:

• Flexible hours

• Fair pay

• Reasonable travel

• Clear written terms

• An employer who understands student commitments

• Work that develops useful skills

Start with a manageable number of hours, protect your study time and regularly check whether the job is still helping.

A suitable student job should improve your financial position and future prospects. It should not leave you trying to write an essay at 3am because you agreed to cover six shifts and briefly forgot that university contains actual university work.

Continue with Budgeting for Students [Budgeting for Students], Cost of Living at University [Cost of Living at University], Maintenance Loans Explained [Maintenance Loans Explained], Scholarships vs Bursaries [Scholarships vs Bursaries] and Hidden Costs of University [Hidden Costs of University].