7 Ways for Students to Make Some Extra Money

How are you finding university so far? We hope you’ve settled in, made loads of new mates, and are having an absolute blast!

It’s fair to say that uni life can take a bit of getting used to. In-between the crazy nights out and smashing your new course, there’s also the serious bits to think about too, such as budgeting.

As you might have discovered, student loans only stretch so far, and when you’ve got course materials, food, and killer outfits to buy, your money can soon dwindle.

It’s a Monday night, and your roomies have suggested a Dominos takeaway (by the way, if you’re Team Pineapple-on-Pizza, we’re not going to judge you).

You check your bank balance, and it says… Well, it basically says, ‘don’t order pizza!’

You’re weeks away from your next student loan instalment.

It’s during moments like these that you may wish you had a little bit of extra income to top-up your loan.

Wondering how to make extra money? The good news is that there are many ways for students to boost their income. From cake baking to becoming a food delivery hero, we’ve listed some money-making options below.

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#1. Part-time work

Part-time work is an obvious place to start when looking for ways to make money as a student.

Remember, while earning a bit of extra cash is fab, you should prioritise your wellbeing first and foremost. Balancing studying, socialising, and a job could lead to burnout, so make sure you’re getting enough rest and downtime in-between.

Good to know: As of April 2024, the UK National Minimum Wage for apprentices and those below the age of 18 is £6.40 per hour. Anyone aged between 18 and 20 is entitled to £8.60 an hour, while those over the age of 21 can be paid a minimum of £11.44 an hour.

#2. Seasonal work

October and November could be the ideal time to look around for the best part-time jobs for students, as both the retail and hospitality sectors usually ramp up their recruitment drive before Christmas and take on ‘temps’ to help see them through the busy season.

It’s important to bear in mind that these jobs typically include weekend work and may come with long hours.

We totally get that after a year of studying, you’re going to want to make the most of your long break, but the summer months may also provide some further opportunities for student jobs. Temporary summer jobs could help you achieve a healthier bank balance in-between one term and the next.

You can search for temporary seasonal jobs on sites such as Indeed. It’s also worth keeping an eye out on the careers and social media pages of various retailers and restaurant chains.

#3. Deliveries

If you’re at uni in the city, the chances are that you’ll have seen food delivery couriers whizzing past on bikes. That could be you! When it comes to part-time student jobs, food delivery could be a decent choice.

Save on your gym membership AND earn yourself some cash at the same time by applying to be a courier.

On Just Eat’s website, they state that potential couriers can apply without any experience, are able to work flexible hours, will get paid weekly, and are entitled to keep 100% of their tips. You’ll just need access to your own bike, moped or car, with the appropriate licence in place.

#4. University jobs

If you’re looking to take on a role with more sociable hours, a job within your actual university could be something to consider. Unis often advertise roles for students to help with tasks such as admin, filing, social media, and even tutoring.

Your university career’s department or student support team should be able to point you in the right direction of any available jobs on campus.

#5. Side-hustle

One of the best things about student side-hustles is you could earn money through hobbies and passions that you’re probably already doing for free.

Do people regularly compliment your insane make-up skills? Why not offer your skillset before nights out in your uni halls, and either charge by the hour or a set price per person?

Do you take a break from studying by indulging in a spot of knitting? You could register an account on Etsy and sell your crafts.

Are you a star baker? Consider building up your baking portfolio and taking on requests for a cost.

There are many ways to raise the profile of your side-hustle.

To increase your chances of reaching a wider audience, consider having business cards printed; we found some cheap deals here and here. Don’t forget to set up a social media page as well.

Ask the girlies you’ve done make-up for to tag your social media handles in any posts they upload.

Offer a tray of free brownies to your university’s charity bake sale and leave a couple of business cards on the table next to them.

#6. Sell on Vinted

Let’s set the scene. It’s a Sunday afternoon, and you’re having a long-overdue ’drobe clear out. You come across a fluorescent yellow dress or a funky patterned shirt and cringe. ‘What was I thinking?!’ You ask yourself, praying that there isn’t any evidence of you sporting this absolute disaster on the socials.

We’ve all been there! (If you’re at uni now, you’ll have missed the whole shell suit era – think yourself lucky!).

Styles come and go, but before you chuck that garment in the bin, see if you can earn a little bit of money back from it. Just because you’re no longer in love with those jeans, it doesn’t mean that someone else won’t completely rock them.

Pop your unwanted items on Vinted!

Think of Vinted as a virtual charity shop; it’s practically an Aladdin’s Cave of pre-loved shoes, clothes, and accessories. You can sell and browse items based on various conditions, such as satisfactory, very good, new without tags, and new with tags.

There are no selling fees on Vinted, and postage is paid for by the buyer, meaning that you get to keep the total amount of the money made from the sale.

#7. Surveys

Got a couple of minutes spare in-between lectures or while you’re waiting for your pasta to cook? You could get paid for simply being on your phone - yes, really!

Through various sites and apps, you can register to complete online surveys and give your opinion on things like new products and current news affairs. Surveys could take anywhere from a couple of minutes to half an hour to complete. Some may take longer, but you’ll usually be given a time estimation before you start.

Popular sites include Swagbucks and YouGov.

Completing surveys won’t make drastic improvements to your bank balance straight away, but stick with it, and over time, your commitment could bring in a nice little side earner.

Most companies will pay out once you’ve accrued a certain amount of ‘points.’ Payments may be in cash or in the form of a gift card.

You should also note that surveys may not always be open to you, and you might have to wait to receive an email or notification inviting you to take part, as and when they become available.

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Need some further savvy saving inspo? We’ve got you.

Check out our Financial Basics For Students blog, which covers everything from student finance and discounts to thrifty meal ideas and bagging the best deal on your phone contract.