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Generally speaking, working a part-time job shouldn’t affect your eligibility for student finance, provided that your job isn’t your only source of income. Things that will affect student finance, however, include things like your parents income, as higher household income may result in reduced eligibility for financial support. Residential status can also affect student finance, as UK residents and EU students will have access to different financial assistance programs in the UK compared to international students.
Student finance eligibility is different for everyone, so it’s best to check where you stand through the government website. The UCAS website also has lots of helpful information about student finance, so be sure to check that out.
So, now you know that working part-time while studying won’t affect your student finance, let’s look at some of the benefits it can bring.
The 4 main benefits of working part-time as a student are:
Of course the main reason why students seek part-time work is to earn extra pocket money. Most students can agree that money is tight in university. But when you’re working part-time, even if it’s just 6-8 hours a week, you no longer have to worry about being able to afford the essentials, or relying on the bank of mum and dad to get you by.
Additionally, although ‘over two-thirds of students rely on the [maintenance] loan’, it often doesn’t cover all of the accommodation costs, especially if they are on the more expensive side.
In our eyes, this point is just as important as number 1. Many students leave school with little confidence and a lack of professional & social skills. But putting yourself out there with a part-time job allows you to gain a number of transferable skills that school or lectures simply can not teach you.
For example, by working in a fast-paced environment like a bar or retail store, you will quickly learn how to confidently speak to customers, how to work well as part of a team, and how to use your initiative – all valuable skills that can be carried across different jobs and in all avenues in life.
What’s more, you can add these skills to your resume, alongside the work experience you gain, which will assist you in getting your dream job post university.
Getting a part-time job which requires you to start work at a certain time on certain days will naturally make you become a more organised individual who can manage time well. Granted you manage to consistently get to work on time, that is.
That being said, if your uni work becomes overwhelming, especially around exam time, don’t be afraid to ask your manager to reduce your hours so you can fit everything in. (That’s the great thing about many part-time jobs: they tend to be pretty flexible around your personal schedule).
Of course one of the best parts about working somewhere like a bar, retail store or student union is that you will naturally make friends with like minded colleagues (who are also probably students). You’ll naturally bond with certain colleagues who perhaps have the same interests as you and end up spending time with them outside of work.
Sound good but you don’t really know where to start looking? We got you.
There are numerous ways you can earn while you learn, some of which you might not have ever even thought about (until now!).
Some of the best part-time jobs for uni students include:
One of the most common part-time jobs for students is bar or cafe work, especially if the university is located in a city or busy town with lots of hospitality opportunities. There are generally no formal qualifications needed for bar work (aside from being over 18), although experience in a customer-facing environment is likely to help.
It’s worth checking to see if there are any on-campus jobs going at your university. Many universities offer part-time positions in anything from event support (open days, freshers’ fayres etc.) and admin to library work and catering. Student unions are also often hiring students to help out, whether that be in the bar, merch shop or cleaning.
Another great part-time and super flexible job option is working in PR as a student ambassador where brands hire you to promote their products/service online. This type of role is perfect if you’re an outgoing, enthusiastic and overall very sociable person.
If you’re getting top grades in a topic you have real interest in then personal tutoring might just be the perfect job for you. Not only can it pay well, but it’s super flexible and can be tailored around your availability, as you’re ultimately working for yourself. Tutoring sessions can be done in person or online over video call in the comfort of your own home.
This is one you might not have even considered, but is actually relatively easy to get into and generally requires no qualifications or experience in the TV/film industry – perfect for students. Although the hours might be fairly long, depending on the job, you could be earning over £80 a day. Not bad!
Last but certainly not least, have you ever thought about pet sitting? Yes you heard us right.. Pet sitting! This is where you would get paid to spend time with pets – what a dream. You would typically be responsible for feeding them, walking them, playing with them and making sure they stay safe and out of trouble.
What’s more, if you’re unable to commit to a full day (or even overnight stays), you might also want to think about becoming a dog walker for a few hours per week. Websites like Care & Rover are great places to start.
There we have it! We hope this article has given you a clearer understanding of part-time work and student finance. To learn more about the wonderful world of university and student life, check out our student blog page.
Written by Kate for Host.
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