Budgeting and managing your finances are important skills to have and for many people, learning these skills often begins at university. For students who have moved away from home, there is rent to think about, bills, uni supplies, food and having a social life.
It’s a lot to juggle.
While it may not always be possible to secure a part-time job while studying, there are some things you can do to make a little extra money. So we’ve rounded up some easy ways to earn a bit of cash as a student.
Online surveys
Online surveys are a great way to earn cash in an easy, flexible way. Each website is different but typically, you register to create an account and follow the website’s instructions to answer some surveys online. Check out Qmee, SurveyMini, i-Say, Panelbase and YouGov. It won’t be a huge amount of money immediately, but the more websites you sign up to and the more surveys you complete, the more money you will receive.
It’s also a good idea to set up a burner email account you your inbox is spammed with survey related messages.
Selling unwanted clothes and items
Marie Kondo, Stacey Solomon and the Queer Eye Fab Five have given us loads of tips on how to clear out unwanted items and how to know when an item is no longer needed. If you want to earn some money from clothes you don’t wear anymore, books you no longer need or general items that have no purpose in your life, then sell them. Apps such as Depop and Vinted are great for selling clothes. Local Facebook buy and sell groups are also a great place to post as well as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
Babysitting
If you have a spare evening or weekend and enjoy looking after children, babysitting is a good option. It often starts with doing a favour for a friend or family member, but word can spread and you can find yourself earning some extra pocket money. There are lots of agencies in London, such as Rockmybaby, Sitting Pretty Babysitters, MyKiddy Sitter, Snuggles Childcare, and Like Minders. How much you earn may depend on the number of hours you work, your level of experience, and the agency’s terms and conditions.
Pet-sitting
This is like babysitting, but for those who prefer animals. Some websites and agencies may view this as a voluntary role rather than a paid gig – so keep an eye out for what is available to you. Have a look at Your London Pet Sitter, Paws Galore Pet Sitters, House Sitters UK, and social media posts from local/community groups.
Unitemps
Unitemps is a recruitment agency, offering a wide range of jobs to students and graduates. Once you register an account, you can receive email alerts with job vacancies for your university. There are a huge range of jobs in areas such as admin, cleaning, events, hospitality, retail, sports-related, academic roles and other remote opportunities. It is a great way to keep informed about available jobs and it is incredibly flexible.
University events
This is a great way to stay involved with campus events and activities. You can sign up to work at open days, conferences, fairs, and events relating to your department and course. Information is usually provided by central and departmental admin teams.
Focus groups
Occasionally, focus group discussions take place at the university, with cash incentives or vouchers. Keep an eye out for these emails and for more information from the Student Union. Alternatively, check out Take Part In Research, Vision One, and Paid Focus Group.
Tutoring
Tutoring is a popular way to earn some pocket money because of its flexibility. You can decide which subjects you feel most comfortable tutoring in, the level (primary school, GCSE, A Level, or adult), and your hourly rate. It can also be done online, making it even more accessible. Check out MyTutor, Tutorful, Tutor Hunt, Explore Learning, and Fleet Tutors. Tutoring makes a fantastic addition to your CV and it allows you to start building your own brand. If you know another language or the ins and outs of a specific a craft like knitting or pottery, you could also try your hand at creating classes.
Transcription work
Transcription work often involves converting audio files into text. It can be a time-consuming process but if you have a free afternoon or evening it could be a really relaxing way to earn a bit of extra cash. Each service is different but try heading to websites such as Transcribe Me and Rev to find out more information on how you could start transcribing.
Become a mystery shopper
Being a mystery shopper involves anonymously visiting businesses to check that specific standards are being met. For example, at a restaurant you might be tasked with checking the cleanliness, the greeting, the food, and the service. For shops, there may be guidelines on your budget, what to buy, what questions to ask, what photographs to take, and things to watch out for. At the end of your visit, you will often need to write a report on your findings and experience. Check out Ipsos, Market Force Shopper, Clickworker, Homescan, and Mystery Dining.