What are the best part-time jobs for university students?

Bar and café work, retail, on-campus jobs such as student ambassador or library assistant, and tutoring. They offer evening and weekend shifts that fit around lectures.

How much do part-time student jobs pay in 2026?

At least the National Minimum Wage: £10.85 an hour at 18 to 20 and £12.71 at 21 and over from April 2026. Twelve hours a week at £12.71 is £152.52 before tax.

Where can I find part-time jobs near my university?

Start with your university's job shop or careers service and your students' union, which advertise flexible roles that suit students. Then try local pubs, shops and cafés directly, and general job boards.

How many hours can a student work part-time?

Home students have no legal limit, but your studies come first. International students on a degree-level Student visa can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time.

Part-Time Jobs Near UK Unis to Keep You Sorted

Introduction

Being a skint student is about as much fun as a kick in the bollocks. But fear not, your mates at UniBookTrade have got your back. Here are the best part-time jobs near UK universities to keep your wallet fat and your social life buzzing.

You'll have plenty of company: around two-thirds of full-time undergraduates work during term time (HEPI/Advance HE, 2026).

First, the Money

From April 2026 every employer must pay at least the National Minimum Wage. There's no lower rate for students.

Hours a week	Age 18 to 20 (£10.85)	Age 21+ (£12.71)
8	£86.80	£101.68
12	£130.20	£152.52
16	£173.60	£203.36
20	£217.00	£254.20

Before tax. Most students working part-time stay under the thresholds: Income Tax kicks in above £1,048 a month on average, and National Insurance above £242 a week (GOV.UK).

The Best Part-Time Jobs Near Campus

Job	Shifts	Perks	Downsides
Bar staff	Evenings, weekends	Tips, staff socials	Late finishes
Retail	Weekends, evenings	Staff discount	Christmas rota pressure
Café / barista	Mornings, weekends	Free coffee	Early starts
Campus jobs	Flexible, daytime	Understands exam season	Competitive
Tutoring	Evenings, weekends	Above-NMW pay	Needs strong grades, often a DBS check
Food delivery	Whenever you like	Total flexibility	Self-employed, you cover costs

1. Bar Staff: Sling Pints, Earn Quid

Pulling pints, mixing cocktails and having a laugh while you earn. Pubs and bars near campus love student staff because you're around in the evenings. By law, your employer has to pass on all tips without deductions. Just don't get too merry on the job, yeah?

2. Retail: Flog Some Gear, Fund Your Year

High street shops and supermarkets are everywhere near uni. You'll stack shelves, help customers and maybe score a staff discount. Retailers hire Christmas temps from early autumn, and good temps often get kept on.

3. Campus Jobs: The Holy Grail

Your uni is one of the biggest employers in town. Student ambassador, library assistant, SU bar, events, research participant: the commute is zero and they understand exam season. Check your uni's job shop in the first weeks of term, before the best roles go.

4. Tutoring: Put Your Big Brain to Work

You're a clever bunch, so use it. Tutor GCSE or A-level students locally or online. It usually pays well above minimum wage and looks great on your CV. See our online jobs guide for tutoring platforms.

5. Food Delivery: Bring Grub, Get Paid

With delivery apps you can turn your bike or scooter into a money-maker on your own schedule. Most riders are self-employed, though: you're paid per delivery, you cover your own costs and you handle your own tax. Not allowed on a Student visa. And watch out for those traffic wardens!

6. UniBookTrade: Sell Your Old Textbooks

Alright, shameless plug time. Sell your old textbooks to students who need them next term, and buy the ones you need for a fraction of the price. More money in your pocket means you can be pickier about which shifts you take. Check what your books are worth with our value checker.

Where to Find Part-Time Jobs

Your uni's job shop or careers service: Roles here are vetted and student-friendly.
The students' union: SU bars, shops and events hire loads of students.
Walk in: Pubs, cafés and independent shops near campus still hire from a CV handed over the counter. Go mid-afternoon, not during the lunch rush.
Job boards: Indeed, LinkedIn and local Facebook groups.
Ask around: Second and third years know which places are good to work for.

Find your uni's page in our universities directory for books on your campus.

International Students: Know Your Limits

If you're on a Student visa at degree level, you can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time in official vacations. You can't be self-employed, so delivery apps and freelancing are out (GOV.UK). Check your eVisa for your exact conditions, and see our guide to opening a UK bank account so you can get paid.

How Many Hours Is Too Many?

There's no magic number, but be honest about what your course can take. The 2026 survey found around one in ten students working more than 20 hours a week, with independent study at historically low levels (HEPI/Advance HE). Keep an eye on your marks with our degree classification calculator, and cut hours around deadlines.

So there you have it, lads and lasses. These part-time jobs near UK unis will keep you afloat while you hit the books and paint the town red. And don't forget to buy and sell textbooks on UniBookTrade to save even more.

More ways to earn & save: great jobs for UK uni students · online jobs for students · summer jobs · surviving on the minimum maintenance loan