The Most In-Demand Student Summer Jobs You Might Not Have Considered

– Including One That Pays Up To £45 Per Hour

The sun is shining and it’s almost time for a well-earned break away from studying. But, not all students are planning to put their feet up just yet.

That’s right – with Google searches for ‘student summer jobs’ up by 171% in the last three months, it’s clear that many students are on the lookout for part-time work to fund their summer break.  

Surprisingly though, it’s not just your typical pub, barista, or supermarket jobs that are up for grabs. According to data collated from global student housing provider, Yugo, students are searching for something a little more unique this summer.

Based on real-time Google searches, here are the most in-demand student summer jobs you might not have considered, and their average hourly rate.

Virtual assistant 

With searches up by over 5,000% globally, virtual assistant jobs have surged in popularity recently. From scheduling appointments and making phone calls, to booking travel and managing email accounts - you could be earning around £15 per hour with just a laptop and an internet connection, and you don’t even need to leave your bed!

Pet sitting

Is there anything better than getting paid to play with cute animals? With searches for the term ‘pet sitting near me’ also up by over 5,000% globally, it seems not. In the UK, the average price of pet sitters ranges from £6 – £20 per hour depending on the task. Expect a lower salary for simple roles like feeding cats while the owner is away, and higher prices for more intensive activities like dog walking or puppy sitting.

Online tutoring

If you’re passionate about making a difference to the lives of people still in education, then online tutoring could be for you. Searches for online tutoring jobs are up by 80% globally and with an average hourly pay of up to £45 per hour, it’s not hard to see why. All you need is a laptop, internet connection and a flexible schedule.

Festival steward

You don’t need us to tell you that working at a festival is a lot of fun. And, it seems you all agree, with searches for festival jobs up by 60% globally. The hours are long, and you’ll be on your feet all day, but you’ll also gain valuable skills, whilst making friends and getting to enjoy your favourite live music. Festival steward jobs typically pay around £13.85 per hour and tend to be advertised through specialist events companies.

Delivery driver

If you have a car, a license, and some spare time – you can earn extra wonga as a delivery driver! Whether you sign up to deliver delicious meals on Uber Eats or Deliveroo, or give the postie a run for his money delivering Amazon parcels – delivery driving is a simple yet satisfying side hustle that can really help balance those bills. The average wage comes in at £13 an hour, and you can apply easily online as long as you have a clean driving record. No wonder searches for delivery driver positions are up 180%!

Holiday rep

Looking to soak up some sunshine without having to pay for a holiday? It would seem you are not alone, with searches for ‘holiday rep jobs 2024’ up 5,000%! And, it’s easy to figure out why. You get to have fun in sunny locations, meet new people, take on new experiences, AND get paid? With salaries starting at around £600 per month for seasonal work (including food and accommodation, of course), holiday repping is a great way to see the world without having to fork out for huge holiday expenses. All you need is a welcoming personality, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to learn. Sign us up.

Mystery shopping

If you are one of those people that ‘never has time to work’ – say hello to your new favourite side hustle. Mystery shopping has recently taken TikTok by storm, with breakout searches surging on Google, too. Essentially, you get given small tasks, such as checking out a brand counter in your local Tesco, send some feedback, and voila – you get paid! With average earnings coming in at £12 per hour, you can fit this easy money-making activity in at your own leisure.

Online writing

Fancy yourself as a future copywriter? Or maybe you’re the next Shakespeare? Well, with this handy side-job, you can actually make money through your own words. Ghostwriting, copywriting, and even AI writing jobs are abundant online, and you don’t need a degree or experience to get started – no wonder searches are up 5,000%. If you can write clearly and coherently, you can make money. Check out sites like Fiverr or Upwork for new listings (p.s. you can find even more opportunities if you speak a second language!) and earn an average of £14.35 an hour.

Yugo Student Ambassador

If you’re a savvy socialite that loves making other people’s days’ better (and making some money in the process) there is no better role for you than becoming a Student Ambassador this summer. From welcoming new students to their accommodation, to organising and running community events for accommodation residents – your goal will be to deliver the best possible experience for Yugo students to help them live their best life whilst studying. Check out the Yugo website for upcoming opportunities!

Looking for somewhere to live while you’re working? Book a short stay with Yugo this summer. Whether you’re already living with us or not, students can get discounted rates with us over the summer at participating destinations across the UK. Find out more here or email us at [email protected].