The maintenance loan rarely covers everything. Building on our general UK side hustles guide, here are the best options specifically for students.
On-Campus Opportunities
Start with what's on your doorstep.
- Student ambassador: £10-15/hour, flexible scheduling
- Library assistant: Quiet work, often evening/weekend shifts
- Research assistant: Relevant experience AND pay
- Student union roles: Designed around term dates
- Note-taking services: £10-20/lecture for some universities
Online Side Hustles
Work from your room between lectures.
- Tutoring: £15-40/hour on MyTutor or Tutorful
- Freelance writing or design: Build skills on Fiverr or Upwork
- User testing: £10-20 per 20-minute session
- Transcription: £8-15/hour on Rev or TranscribeMe
- Social media management: £100-300/month per client
Tax and Student Loan Implications
Your earnings won't affect student loan payments while studying. You have the same £12,570 Personal Allowance. Make sure you're on the right tax code. See our student saving tips.
Managing Side Hustle Income
Split income: 50% essentials/fun, 30% to a SYM saving challenge, 20% emergency buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should I work alongside studying?
15-20 hours/week maximum during term time. Pick higher-paying hustles and work fewer hours.
Do I need to register as self-employed?
If freelancing, yes — register with HMRC. If employed by someone else, they handle tax through PAYE.
Best hustle for first-year students?
On-campus work or tutoring. Both are flexible and don't require commuting.
- side hustles
- student income
- earn extra money
- UK students
- flexible work