Having a part-time job is a good way to earn some extra money while you're studying, whether it’s on the weekends, evenings, holidays or just one-off jobs. Students studying abroad are allowed to work in the UK, but only with a Tier 4 student visa. You can learn more about the legalities in this blog here.
There’s no limit on the amount you can earn, but you must make sure that you’re not exceeding the weekly hours limit you have been given on your visa. Here are four part-time job ideas for students.
Jobs in hospitality are great for students looking for flexible work to fit around their studies as shifts are often available in the evenings and weekends. Depending on the role, you could be waitressing/waiting at events, catering or cleaning.
Part-time work in this industry is typically paid at an hourly rate. If you need some experience, consider working in local cafés and restaurants before applying for large chains.
You’ll require excellent customer service skills for the job and for more upscale venues, you’ll need to be well-presented with professional attire e.g. clean and ironed shirts, black trousers or skirts. You could also be provided with a uniform from your workplace.
Working in retail is another role that looks good on your CV. You can gain valuable skills such as communication skills, customer service skills, commercial awareness, teamwork and time management.
These are all skills that future employers will be looking for and the fast-paced retail environment can help you achieve that. Most retail roles only offer a temporary contract, which allows you to focus on your studies in the meantime.
As an added benefit, it's worth knowing that many retail stores give their staff discounts on their products, helping you save money - which is great if you're a student on a budget.
Want to work and earn some money but don’t want to commit to rotas and shifts? Temporary work (also known as temp work) is ideal for students who want to experience work in many different industries and workplaces.
You can mostly find this type of role during busy summer holiday periods and winter. This might include anything from working at festivals to customer assistant at a supermarket. It makes it easy to earn money and gain experience while still working on your studies.
Developing a network of professional contacts is important for students looking to enter the job market. Temporary jobs can provide easy networking opportunities that come naturally in a wide range of organisations.
Most universities offer positions in anything from admin and library work to events support. For example, Newcastle University has JobsOC which is managed by the Careers Service. Students can apply to be part of a pool of students who are contacted when there are jobs available across the university.
The posts are flexible to fit around your studies and can help you gain experience in a variety of different work areas. On-campus jobs are also a fantastic way to meet other students and make friends. Just make sure to balance your work commitments with your studies.
You should also be aware of working restrictions. We have a helpful visa team who can answer all your questions and concerns. If you’re looking for more advice on ways you can manage your money while at university, download our free guide.
Choosing to study abroad is a major decision but we’re here to help. Make sure you have all of the information you need by downloading our guide to studying in the UK. It includes budgeting tips, how you can get around here, what life is like when you study in England and everything you could need to know about the types of university in the UK.
Get your free copy of the eBook now by clicking on the link below.