Finding a job while you study at university

Student life can open up a world of new experiences, including the need to balance the amount of money you have during your time at university. Your student loan and savings may offer you enough money to pay for rent, food, travel, and other expenses. On the other hand, earning a little extra might be a necessity.According to the 2021 National Student Money Survey, 66% of UK students worked a part-time job while at university. Earning that extra money during your time at university can certainly solve money worries and improve your quality of life, but equally it can interfere with your studies and lead to exhaustion. So there’s plenty to consider before you even begin your job search.

Is a student job a want or a must?

There are three main reasons that you might want to work during your studies. The first is to improve your quality of life by having more to spend, even though you don’t need that extra money. The second is to gain work experience during your studies. The third is to continue a job or career path that you started before university.

On the other hand, you might think that earning extra money during your studies is a must. The best way to find out for sure is to put together a student budget. You can do this on paper, on the notes app on your phone, or on a spreadsheet on your computer. Whichever method you choose, this is what you need to note down:

• How much money will you have at the beginning of each term, for instance, student loan, student grant, or personal savings?
• The essential expenses like rent, travel, and food – how much will those cost?
• Flexible expenses such as socialising or hobbies.

The goal is to find out if you have more money going out (expenses) than you have coming in (income). You might find it useful to separate your budget into months to get a more accurate picture of your financial situation. Ideally, once you’ve paid your essential expenses, you’ll have money left over for those flexible expenses. You may find that a student job is a must to get by during university or it might be possible to survive by reducing the amount you spend beyond your essential expenses.

You can find more advice on creating a student budget through Student Space.

Are you allowed to work while studying at university?

Certain UK universities won’t let you work during term-time or will restrict your working hours to no more than 10 or 15 hours a week. Check the conditions of your course to find out for sure.

If you are in the UK on a student visa, you must obey the conditions of your visa. It may allow you to work up to a maximum number of hours per week or it may state you don’t have permission to work in the UK at all.

Term time job or holiday job?

Student jobs aren’t simply restricted to term-time roles. You could work during university holidays, either as well as a term-time job or in place of one.

The benefit of a summer or Christmas job is that you can work full-time and accumulate more money over a shorter period of time.

How to work around your university studies

There’s no sense in letting a student job ruin your hopes of achieving a university degree. Working during your studies requires a large dose of self-organisation and planning. Here’s how to work around your university studies:

• Keep a plan of your classes, how much time you need to spend on independent study, deadlines for coursework, and exams. Your student job must fit around these factors.
• Don’t forget to factor in time to eat and sleep. There’s no sense in starving or exhausting yourself.
• Make your employer aware of your situation and don’t be bullied into working hours or shifts that threaten your studies.
• Be realistic about the amount of time you need for studies, your energy levels, and your mental health. A student job should be the answer to your financial shortfall, not a cause of worry and stress.
• Make sure you attend all your classes and lectures. Don’t miss out because you’re tired after a work shift.
• Finally, leave yourself time to relax over and above time to sleep. Your physical and mental health matter. Protect them.

Paying tax on your earnings

If you do land a student job, you’ll be liable to pay tax and national insurance like every other worker. However, this doesn’t happen until you’ve earned a certain amount of money. In 2022/23, you can earn up to £12,570 before you pay tax. This is called your personal allowance. Your employer will subtract your tax and national insurance payments from your wage on your behalf.

Make sure you know what your national insurance number is because your employer needs this before they can pay you. You will have received your national insurance number shortly after your sixteenth birthday. Trace a lost national insurance number on the gov.uk website.

Finding a student job

You’ve decided you either want or need to find a job while you study at university. You know how many hours you can fit in and when. You’ve written a CV and you know what your national insurance number is. You’re ready to start your job search but where do you look?

There are three main sources of student employment:

  Your university

Most universities will offer a job hub where you can find vacancies working on campus. These might be for bar staff, cleaners, administrative staff, or researchers. If you don’t know where to find this online, ask at the university reception.

Here’s one example from Chester University.

  The Jobcentre

Your local Jobcentre advertises all kinds of jobs. Visit the Jobcentre near you or access the Find a Job facility online.

  Job boards

Job boards advertise a wide range of vacancies and can be accessed online. Most of them also offer careers advice. Search for job boards online and choose a couple to register with. You might like to start with JobLookup. Use search criteria filters to narrow down what you’re looking for and set up job alerts to deliver the right vacancies straight to your inbox.

Final Thoughts

Finding a job while you study at university can seem like an overwhelming process but with 66% of UK students working part-time jobs, you’re not alone. If they can find a job, so can you.