University life is a whirlwind of lectures, dissertations, study sessions, and social activities.
Amid all of this, having a part-time job is a great way to earn some extra cash and gain professional experience that can seriously boost your career prospects. With the crazy schedules of university life, flexible part-time jobs that fit seamlessly into your routine are a must. Not only do these jobs help you earn money, but they also help you build transferable skills, create professional connections, and gain real-world experience that’s valuable for your future career. Plus, juggling a part-time job and your studies teaches you important lessons in time management, prioritisation, and work-life balance. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the best part-time jobs for university students, highlighting their benefits, flexibility, and how they can fit into your busy life.
Virtual Assistant
With the rise of remote work, virtual assistant roles have become increasingly popular. These positions often involve tasks like scheduling appointments, managing emails, arranging travel, and making phone calls for businesses and individuals. This job allows you to work from anywhere and at times that fit your schedule. Some jobs pay per task rather than by the hour, offering even more flexibility.
Skills needed: You should be tech-savvy and have strong organisational and communication skills. Experience with productivity tools like Microsoft Office and Google Suite is also helpful.
Benefits:
- Competitive hourly rates – from £15 p/h
- Valuable experience in time management and project coordination
- Strengthens organisational and communication skills for future roles
Online Tutor
Tutoring is a rewarding way for university students to earn money while helping others. Online tutoring platforms offer various formats, from one-on-one sessions to small groups. The great thing about this job is that online tutors are needed in nearly every subject and field. For success, consider specialising in subjects you excel in. For instance, offering tutoring for subjects you excelled in at school – perhaps English or maths, if you took them as A-Levels. Or maybe tutoring people to speak another language, if you happen to be fluent in one.
Skills needed: Deep knowledge of a particular subject, strong facilitation and communication skills, tech-savviness, and patience are crucial
Benefits:
- Choose your own work hours
- Decent pay rates: £20 – £30 p/h, if you have strong subject knowledge
- Opportunity to grow your client base through referrals and word-of-mouth
- Development of teaching and communication skills
Freelance Writer or Social Media Manager
If you have a flair for writing or a good grasp of social media, freelancing can be a great fit. This is particularly the case if you happen to be studying English, journalism, marketing, communications, or media at university, as it will only enhance your learning.
You may have to do some free, ad hoc work before landing your first few paid assignments, as you’ll need to prove yourself, but once you establish some credibility with a strong portfolio of published work, you can expand your client base through the networks of your clients. You can then keep adding to your portfolio (a simple template website, such as Behance). The more paid work you can show, the more future work you’ll get.
These freelance roles offer the chance to work on various projects, meeting set deadlines, and can open doors to future opportunities in marketing and digital media.
Skills needed: Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. The ability to write in different styles (or ‘tones’) is also useful, as is some knowledge of buyer psychology.
For content development or social media roles, a good design sense and proficiency in photo and video editing software are an asset.
Benefits:
- A great degree of flexibility in choosing projects and working hours
- Development of writing, marketing, and social media skills
- Potential for building a diverse portfolio
Event Staff
Working as event staff is a popular choice for university students, due to the flexible and often sporadic nature of the job. Event staff roles can include working at concerts, university events, sports events, festivals, and conferences, offering a dynamic and engaging work environment.
Skills needed: Good interpersonal skills, punctuality, and a flexible attitude are key for success in this role.
Benefits:
- Gaining valuable customer service experience
- Flexible scheduling that can accommodate academic commitments
- Exposure to various events and networking opportunities
- Depending on the event, you may even get perks like tickets, discounts, or free food!
Warehouse or Logistics Positions
Part-time jobs in warehouses or logistics companies can be a good fit, especially during peak seasons when extra help is needed. These roles involve tasks such as lifting heavy objects, packing, storing, organising, and shipping products. While physically demanding, these jobs often pay well and can fit easily into a student’s schedule. Why not check out warehouse jobs that fit your lifestyle, with Indeed Flex?
Skills needed: Punctuality, physical strength, stamina, high energy levels, a can-do attitude, and attention to detail are essential.
Benefits:
- Opportunities for part-time or seasonal work
- Competitive hourly wages: upwards of £11.50 p/h
- Developing experience in logistics and operations (which can be useful for future career pathways)
Ride-Sharing or Delivery Services
Working as a ride-share driver or delivery person for companies like Uber, Lyft, Deliveroo, or Just Eats offers significant flexibility. You can choose your hours and work as much or as little as you want, making it easy to balance work with your academic schedule. However, you do need to have your own vehicle, so this option is only suitable for those who drive and own a car. While these jobs have great flexibility and are a good way to make extra cash while driving your car, there are hidden expenses like petrol, car maintenance, and taxes that you’ll need to budget for.
Skills needed: Besides a car and a valid driver’s licence, it’s important to have good time management, navigation skills, and customer service skills.
Benefits:
- High degree of flexibility in working hours
- Ability to earn money during spare time
- Experience in customer service and time management
Hospitality Jobs
The hospitality industry offers a range of part-time jobs perfect for university students, including roles like waiting staff, commis chef, or bartender. These roles are often flexible and can provide valuable experience in customer service, time management, and multitasking. There’s a whole host of hospitality jobs including barback, barista, kitchen porter, and food prep assistant positions that you can apply for on Indeed Flex today.
Skills: Excellent customer service and communication skills, plus the ability to multitask effectively.
Benefits:
- Variety of job roles to choose from
- Opportunities for flexible scheduling
- Development of interpersonal and customer service skills
A part-time job can make your university years all the more enjoyable, by providing financial support and valuable experience. Whether you choose a role as a virtual assistant, online tutor, freelance writer, event staff, warehouse worker, ride-share driver, or hospitality staff, pick a job that fits your schedule and interests.
Motivated to apply right away? Click on one of the links below to get started!
