How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
UK student jobs: types, rules & how to get hired
Thinking of earning some extra pocket money while studying in the UK? Part-time work is a common way to get by, as extra cash for food, new clothes or going out is never unwelcome!
In this complete guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about UK student jobs, including what types of jobs you can do, work restrictions to be aware of and tips for getting hired.
TL;DR: Around two-thirds of UK students work part-time alongside their studies. As a UK citizen, you can work as many part-time hours as you like, but as an international student, restrictions apply (up to 20 hours a week in term time). Popular student job sectors include retail, hospitality, education and on-campus roles.
Note: The information in this guide is correct as of September 2026.
Types of student jobs 💰
In the UK, working part-time while studying is common and a great way to earn some extra money, with HEPI data showing that 68% of undergraduate students work a part-time job during term. So, it’s certainly not uncommon to want to find a job while studying, but what are the most common types of student jobs out there?
Remote & online jobs
A handy way to juggle university work while earning a bit of cash, remote or online jobs are an increasingly popular option for part-time work. Plus, by working remotely, you can save precious time (and money!) on commuting! Examples include:
- Online tutor
- Language teacher
- Content creator/influencer/YouTuber
- Freelance writer/proofreader
- Social media assistant/marketing assistant
Shift work on evenings, weekends & summer
Many students use their evenings, weekends and holidays to earn some extra cash on the side. Not only do weekend and summer jobs help finance everyday student life, but they also buff up your CV by demonstrating your initiative to work while balancing study. Roles include:
- Hospitality (e.g. waitress, barista)
- Retail assistant
- In-person tutor
- Events assistant
- Festival worker
- Seasonal tourism worker (e.g. holiday parks, hotels)
- Admin/office temp worker
Delivery & gig-economy work
Who doesn’t need deliveries? Whether it’s vital takeaways to cure a hangover or next-day delivery supplies, there’s always a demand for part-time delivery work, such as:
- Food and restaurant delivery (e.g. Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats)
- Grocery shopping (e.g. supermarkets)
- Convenience deliveries (e.g. Amazon Prime)
- Packages and courier services (e.g. Evri, DPD)
Popular sectors for student jobs 🛍️
So you know about the types of jobs you can work, but what about the major sectors for student employment? Retail, hospitality and education are all good options because they can easily fit around your timetable.
Retail
Retail is one of the most popular choices for part-time student work, as it’s one of the UK’s major employment sectors overall. It offers flexible working patterns that can easily slot in between lectures and seminars.
Common employers known to hire part-time students include Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Boots and Asda, and offer a variety of shifts, including weekends, evenings and temporary seasonal work.
Hospitality
From cafes and restaurants to hotels, pubs, bars and events, hospitality covers a wide range of roles, making it a great option for students who want a fast-paced and varied working environment. The hospitality industry actually relies heavily on younger workers, as ONS data shows nearly half of bar staff in the UK are aged 16 to 24!
Employers such as Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s, Vue Cinemas and Premier Inn are known to offer part-time roles that often fit well around student schedules.
Education
Education is another popular sector for student jobs and can also open doors into careers like teaching. This could be online or in-person tutoring, managed either through an agency or more informally through word of mouth and family connections.
Education could also include campus jobs, such as student ambassadors (assisting with university tours, residential housing, or freshers week), library assistants, teaching assistants and student union staff.
Rules & regulations for student jobs ⏰
UK citizens have no restrictions on working part-time alongside their studies. You can work as many hours as you want – whether that’s during term time or in the summer holidays – as a PAYE employee, self-employed or on a freelance basis.
If you’re studying in the UK on a student visa, however, there are a few restrictions around the types of jobs and number of hours you can work.
How many hours can you work?
UK students can work as many hours as they want, but international students are generally capped at a certain number per week:
- UK citizens: No limitations on hours.
- International students: Up to 20 hours per week during term time (for degree-level courses), no limitations during university holidays.
If you’re on a course that has work placements, full-time work is permitted for international students as it’s an assessed part of the course.
Self-employment restrictions
This is the biggest difference between UK citizens and international students, as international students must be a PAYE employee if they want to work part-time.
- UK citizens: No limitations – you can register legally as a sole trader, set up a limited company or work as a freelancer.
- International students: Self-employment is strictly prohibited, unless in rare cases involving an Innovator Founder application.
This means international students are generally prevented from working freelance writing and consulting jobs, as well as delivery driving or ridesharing for apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Uber.
Impact on student finance
Making sure you get that all-important Student Maintenance Loan is essential for living as a student. But don’t worry, having a part-time job doesn’t normally reduce your Student Finance England funding.
Earnings from employment during the academic year, including evening, weekend and holiday work, generally don’t need to be declared on your student finance application. Your Maintenance Loan is calculated on other factors, such as household income, where you live and your course – so a part-time job won’t typically affect that.
The minimum wage
Since April 2026, the UK minimum wage has been £12.71 an hour for those aged 21+, £10.85 for 18–20-year-olds and £8 for under-18s, meaning if you’re working part-time as a student, your employer is required to pay you this as a minimum.
It’s also worth noting that you may need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance if you earn above the relevant thresholds, although your employer will usually deduct these automatically through PAYE.
How to find and apply for a student job 💻
So, you’re sold on the idea of a part-time student job, but where do you find one? A side hustle alongside your studies can make all the difference to your living experience, so we’re here to help you find the best part-time jobs for your skill set.
Where to look
We know navigating the job market for the first time might feel daunting. But there are plenty of exciting job opportunities available if you know where to look! We recommend checking out:
- Your university's careers service/student jobs portal
- Indeed
- Reed
- StudentJob
- Employer careers pages
- Local recruitment agencies
- Job fairs and university careers events
When browsing roles, remember to consider your university timetable so that you find a job with working hours that fit around your studies. Also, keep an eye out for any restrictions on age eligibility, as some roles (such as those working with alcohol or in management) require you to be over 21.
Writing a CV
The next step? Writing your CV. The right student CV for a part-time job can make you stand out from the crowd, so we’re here to help you get it just right.
- Keep it to one or two pages: CVs over two pages are often seen as too long. Keep it concise and ensure your education, experience and key skills sections are easy to find at a glance.
- Tailor your CV to the job: Have a templated CV with your basic information, then match your skills and experience to the requirements in the job description.
- Showcase student experience: Include extracurricular roles like university projects, societies, volunteering, sports, student ambassador roles and other activities.
- Highlight transferable skills: Focus on highlighting desirable skills, such as communication, teamwork, organisation, time management and customer service
- Include any work experience: Even casual jobs, unpaid volunteering jobs, tutoring, babysitting or helping with a family business can demonstrate valuable skills.
- Proofread and keep it simple: Check it, then check it again! Use clear formatting, double-check for errors and make sure your contact details and availability are up to date.
Interview skills & tips
Once the CV is completed and the application submitted, the interview itself is where you can really showcase your personality. Here are some helpful interview tips for student jobs to keep in mind:
- Research the employer: Spend a little time learning about the company, its values and the role so you can show genuine interest and ask relevant questions.
- Prepare your answers: Practise saying your answers aloud to questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “Why do you want this job?” and “What are your strengths?”
- Use your student experience: Don’t worry if you lack work experience – many students are in the same position! Instead, use examples from university projects, societies, volunteering, sports or coursework to demonstrate your skills.
- Show you can balance work and study: Be clear about your availability and explain how you’ll manage your job alongside your course commitments.
- Highlight transferable skills: Talk about skills employers value, such as teamwork, communication, reliability, organisation and problem-solving, including real-life examples where you can.
- Ask a couple of questions: Finish by asking something about the role, team or training — this way, they’ll know you're interested, and also the answers will help you decide whether the job is right for you.
Ready to find your new student accommodation? 🏢
So, there you have it: the full lowdown on working as a student in the UK — now it’s time to get stuck into your job search! If you’ve chosen Yugo for your accommodation, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to brush up on your professional skills through our Live Your Best Life programme.
Or maybe you haven’t yet decided where to live? With locations across the UK, Yugo is the perfect place to search for student accommodation in the UK. Browse our range of residences today and find the perfect home away from home while you’re at university!
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