Tired of competing with hundreds of other students for the same old retail and bar positions? I’ve been there. When I was at university, I quickly realised that thinking outside the box was the key to finding part-time work that not only paid well but also fitted perfectly around my studies.
The student employment landscape is far more diverse than most realise. According to recent surveys, nearly 60% of university students work part-time, but many limit themselves to traditional sectors. Why join that overcrowded queue for low paid work when there are brilliant opportunities hiding in plain sight?
I’ve compiled nine fantastic job options that most students overlook. These roles offer flexibility, decent pay, and in many cases, valuable experience for your future career. Let’s explore these hidden gems of student employment.
Student Brand Ambassador
Ever wondered how you could turn your social media presence into actual income? Companies are constantly seeking students who can help them tap into the university market, and they’re willing to pay for this privilege.
As a student brand ambassador, you’ll essentially become the face of a brand on your campus. This role involves promoting products or services to your fellow students through various channels. You might create social media content, distribute promotional materials, or organise campus events.
The beauty of this position lies in its flexibility. Most brand ambassador roles allow you to work around your timetable, with many tasks being completed remotely. You’ll typically earn around £12 per hour, with some companies offering commission or performance bonuses.
To succeed in this role, you’ll need strong communication skills, a decent social media following, and genuine enthusiasm for the brand you’re representing. It’s particularly valuable for students pursuing careers in marketing, PR, or communications.
To get started, search for “university brand ambassador” opportunities online, check company career pages, or visit your university’s job portal. Just ensure you’re being paid properly – genuine opportunities will offer at least minimum wage rather than just “experience” or freebies.
Private Tutor
If you excel academically in a particular subject, why not monetise your knowledge? Private tutoring is among the highest-paying student jobs available, with hourly rates ranging from £15 to £50 depending on your subject and level of expertise.
As a tutor, you’ll help younger students understand complex topics, prepare for exams, or improve their grades. This could involve regular weekly sessions with the same pupils or one-off intensive revision sessions during exam periods.
The role requires strong subject knowledge, excellent communication skills, and the ability to explain concepts clearly. You’ll need patience and adaptability, as different students learn in different ways.
What makes tutoring particularly attractive for university students is the complete control over your schedule. You can arrange sessions around your lectures and deadlines, and even conduct them online if you prefer working remotely.
To begin your tutoring journey, register with online tutoring platforms, advertise your services on local community boards, or spread the word through your university’s education department. Creating a professional profile highlighting your academic achievements and teaching approach will help attract your first clients.
Residence Assistant
Looking for a way to slash your accommodation costs while gaining valuable leadership experience? Becoming a residence assistant (RA) might be your perfect solution.
RAs serve as the first point of contact for students living in university halls. You’ll help new residents settle in, mediate conflicts, enforce housing policies, and organise community events. When maintenance issues arise, you’ll coordinate with the housing department to ensure timely resolution.
The most significant benefit of this role isn’t the hourly wage – it’s the heavily subsidised or even free accommodation. This alone can save you thousands of pounds annually, so in a way, it replaces the need for a part time job. Some universities also offer meal plans or additional stipends to their RAs.
The position suits students who are approachable, responsible, and good at balancing boundaries with friendliness. You’ll need excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
To apply, contact your university’s accommodation office early, as positions typically fill quickly. The selection process usually involves an application followed by group and individual interviews. Previous leadership experience and strong academic standing will strengthen your application.
Childcare Provider
Fancy earning money while building valuable life skills? Childcare work offers flexibility and competitive rates, making it ideal for university students.
This category encompasses several roles, from regular after-school care to occasional evening babysitting. You might pick children up from school, help with homework, prepare simple meals, or simply keep them entertained until parents return home.
Rates vary widely depending on your location and responsibilities, but expect to earn between £12-£20 per hour. Evening and weekend work typically commands higher rates, and some families offer bonuses for additional responsibilities like light housework or homework help.
The role requires genuine enjoyment of children’s company, patience, and responsibility. A first aid qualification, while not always mandatory, significantly boosts your employability and may justify charging higher rates.
To find childcare opportunities, register with reputable online platforms, network with university staff (many are parents!), or advertise your services on community noticeboards. References are crucial in this field, so consider starting with families you already know to build your reputation.
University Employment
One of the most overlooked employment sources sits right under your nose – your own university. Academic institutions employ thousands of students across various departments, offering convenience and understanding of your academic commitments.
University roles span numerous departments. You might work in the library, assist with administrative tasks, support IT services, or help run campus events. Some universities also hire students to conduct research or support academic staff.
These positions typically pay at or above minimum wage and offer unparalleled convenience. You’ll work on campus (eliminating commuting costs), and supervisors generally understand the pressures of university life, making them flexible around exam periods.
Many universities also hire students as ambassadors to represent them at open days, school visits, and recruitment events. These roles not only pay well but also develop valuable presentation and communication skills.
To discover these opportunities, regularly check your university’s job portal, subscribe to departmental newsletters, and build relationships with academic staff who might know of upcoming positions. The competition can be fierce, so highlight your connection to and knowledge of the institution in your application.
Temporary Work
If commitment issues extend to your employment preferences, temporary work offers variety, flexibility, and often surprisingly good pay.
Temp work spans countless industries and roles. You might find yourself helping at corporate events, supporting office teams during busy periods, or assisting with research projects. The common thread is the short-term nature of these assignments, ranging from single days to several weeks.
The primary advantage is complete control over your schedule – you simply accept assignments that fit around your university commitments. Many agencies now use apps that allow you to pick up last-minute shifts when you find yourself with unexpected free time.
Hourly rates typically exceed minimum wage, with evening and weekend work commanding premium rates. Some roles also offer bonuses for exceptional performance or last-minute availability.
To access these opportunities, register with several temp agencies in your university town, being clear about your availability and skills. Create profiles on gig-work platforms that specialise in student employment. Building a reputation for reliability will ensure you’re offered the most desirable assignments.
Film and TV Extra
Fancy seeing yourself on screen while earning money? Working as a film or TV extra could be your ticket to an exciting side hustle during university.
Extras (or background artists) appear in non-speaking roles in films, television programmes, and commercials. Your job is essentially to help create a realistic environment for the main action – whether that’s walking through a busy street scene or sitting in a café.
The work is sporadic but well-paid, with daily rates typically ranging from £80-£120 depending on the production. Shoots can last anywhere from a few hours to full days, and you’ll usually know your schedule a few days in advance.
No specific qualifications are required, but reliability, patience, and the ability to follow directions are essential. You’ll spend much of your time waiting between takes, so bring something to occupy yourself quietly.
To get started, register with reputable extras agencies, submit recent photos (professional headshots aren’t necessary), and complete your profile with accurate measurements and any special skills. Many productions film during term time in university cities, making this a viable option throughout the academic year.
Pet Care Provider
Animal lover? Transform your passion into profit by offering pet care services that fit perfectly around your studies.
Pet care encompasses various services, from regular dog walking to pet sitting while owners are away. Tasks typically include feeding, exercising, and providing companionship to animals, ensuring their routines remain consistent in their owners’ absence.
This work offers exceptional flexibility – dog walking can be squeezed between lectures, while pet sitting might involve staying overnight at someone’s home (perfect during term breaks when student accommodation closes).
Rates are surprisingly generous, with dog walkers earning £10-15 per hour and overnight pet sitters commanding £25-40 per night. Many clients become regulars, providing consistent income throughout your degree. The best bit? You can walk several dogs at the same time, so those hourly rates can be doubled, trebled, and even quadrupled.
The role requires reliability, genuine affection for animals, and basic understanding of pet care. Experience with your own pets is beneficial but not essential for getting started.
Begin by creating profiles on dedicated pet care platforms, distributing flyers in pet-friendly neighbourhoods near your university, or offering services to faculty members who own pets. Starting with friends’ pets helps build references for your growing business.
Transcription Work
Looking for work you can do from your bedroom at 3am? Transcription offers ultimate flexibility while developing skills relevant to many graduate careers.
Transcriptionists convert audio recordings into written text. This could involve transcribing interviews, meetings, lectures, podcasts, or video content. The work requires careful listening and accurate typing.
The primary appeal is complete location and schedule independence – you simply download audio files, transcribe them by your deadline, and upload the completed work. This makes it ideal for fitting around unpredictable university schedules.
Pay structures vary, with most companies offering per-audio-minute rates (typically 40p-£1 per audio minute). Your earnings will depend on your typing speed and the complexity of the audio, but proficient transcribers can earn £10-15 per hour.
To succeed, you’ll need excellent typing skills (minimum 60 WPM), strong grammar and punctuation knowledge, and the ability to distinguish multiple speakers. Specialised knowledge in fields like medicine or law can unlock higher-paying opportunities.
Begin by registering with online transcription platforms, completing their tests, and starting with shorter, simpler files while you build your skills. Investing in a foot pedal and quality headphones will significantly increase your efficiency and earnings over time.
