How To Successfully Side Hustle Whilst Studying

The moment your student loan hits your bank account you feel on top of the world, you feel rich, you feel like you can achieve anything you want in life, then suddenly realisation hits. You know that quicker than you can blink that money will be spent on rent, bills and food, leaving you with very little to live your best student life on. You have thought about getting a job to help get you by but with studying you do not have lots of time and you do not want your studies or your social life to be impacted by having to work, after all it is only a short period of your life and you want to complete student life as best as you can. This is where a lucrative side hustle might be the best way for you to earn some extra cash.

There are lots of different sites and suggestions telling you how you can make money from home but with lots of them there seems to be a catch or the terms and conditions are not as transparent as they at first seem. To ensure you find the best side hustles we have complied a list of the most efficient ways for you to make that extra bit of pocket money without it impacting your social and educational life.

Making money while studying doesn’t just provide you with better financial outcomes, it also gives you valuable experience demonstrating your self-motivation, entrepreneurial skills and business ideas. According to the Student Money Survey 36% of students have a side hustle or run their own business with over 2% of this group of people having earned over £10000 in the past year.  

• Selling

  This is an option that you may have thought of, may have done or may have been suggested to you. Selling your unwanted items is a great way to make a little bit of extra cash. There are multiple platforms that you can use to sell your unwanted items. According to a recent study by Music Magpie an average household in the UK has roughly £842 of unwanted technology. That’s an incredible amount for any house to have laying around. The money would be much more useful than the old mobile phone sitting in your junk drawer. 

  The Standard online  outlines the best 11 apps to sell your stuff and make extra cash. It suggests sites such as Gumtree, Nextdoor, Vinted and eBay. Each of the sites has its downfalls but all of them have great benefits. They are easy to use but it is worth looking at which one will get you the most money for your item. For example Vinted is great for selling your old clothes, but Facebook Marketplace would be better for selling large items such as furniture as the buyer collects the item sold on Marketplace and no postage is required. If you are selling items and the customer is collecting from you, it is beneficial to ask for cash on collection, this ensures you are not getting scammed by people promising to pay money into your account, which never arrives.

• Sell your talent

  If you are a creative or arty person, then you could set up an Etsy store to sell your products. A quick search on Etsy shows you the items that are high in demand. There are lots of companies selling vinyl lettering and making a profit or personalising clothes for children. Others are sign writing for weddings or even selling their cakes and ensuring they can be delivered through letter boxes. In 2023 Cut Plastic Sheeting decided to investigate what the top performing stores on Etsy make. Their results showed the highest performing stores were jewellery, personalised gifts and keepsake stores, with the top 20 stores making over one million pounds in revenue. 

• Tutoring

  As a university student you have been through a long education journey to get to the point you are now. This puts you in a great position to tutor younger students, especially as you understand how it feels to cope with the pressures of the education system.

  If you do not feel you have the knowledge or experience to tutor someone in an academic subject, you can use your skills to support someone to learn your language. There are websites such as Preply where you can sign up to be a conversational language tutor. This involves you speaking in your native language and helping a learner develop their skills in understanding and speaking your language. On average an English tutor can earn between £10 – £20 an hour, all from just talking. This is a great option as you can set your own rate and hours that you work. You can make sure the working hours are best for you and fit into your lifestyle. 

  If you want to tutor in a subject that you excel in, you can find clients by advertising on social media or you can publicise yourself on websites such as  My Tutor . This is a great way to work remotely, all you need is a laptop and wifi to start your tutoring journey. You can also take home up to £52 an hour and you do not need any experience to start making money. 

• Freelance work

  There are websites that are offering freelance jobs that anyone can apply for once you have set up your account. Websites such as Upwork  and Unibeez advertise jobs that freelancers can apply for to make extra cash. You have to be able to promote yourself to bag that deal however there are offers in all sorts of work. For example, one minute you could be writing a blog for a company and the next you could be helping someone proofread their book. Often the jobs come with a fixed price but that does not mean you cannot negotiate your worth. It is always worth asking for a little extra and explaining why you think you are valuable, ultimately, the worst they can say is no. Freelancer is a great way to work on your own terms and hours, it also helps you build experience in a range of different roles. Sometimes the small jobs can lead to more long term agreements that bring in a regular payment. When applying for freelance work, it is worth noting if the company has posted on the website before, what their reviews are like and how their profile is presented. Remember you are in control of who you offer to work for and who you don’t. 

• Pet sitting

  If you love pets and animals, then this could be a side hustle for you. Rover allows you to look after other people’s pets and get paid for it. You set your own schedule and prices, you can offer care for any animals you wish, and you make sure the agreements are on your terms. All you need to do is advertise your availability on the website and you wait for people to contact you who want to use your service. 

  On the Rover site the highest earners are the sitters who offer boarding, however before you offer this make sure your landlord is ok with you using their house as a pet hotel and that you have the time to be at home to look after it. 

  In addition to boarding, you can offer dog walking, doggy day care, house sitting or drop in visits. Rover also offers ongoing pet care education for people who offer their services on their site and protect you by having robust policies in place. 

• Online surveys and market research

  Online surveys and market research can be an excellent side hustle. It offers flexible earning opportunities that fit around your studies and your social life. By participating in surveys, focus groups, or product testing, students can earn extra pocket money while providing valuable insights to companies. This type of market research allows businesses to gauge consumer preferences and improve their products or services based on real feedback. Websites such as Survey Junkie , YouGov, and Swagbucks often reward users with cash or gift cards for their participation. As well as these sites, Prolific 

  focus on academic research, offering students the chance to contribute to studies while being paid fairly for their time. This is a great money making project for students because there is no long-term commitment, you can apply for the surveys of your choice, and you can decide as and when you apply. A huge bonus of surveys and market research is the convenience of completing surveys from home or on the go. With little dedication, you can turn what might seem like small payouts into a significant side income over time. Every penny adds up to make a larger sum.

• Childcare

  Babysitting can be a great side hustle for students across the country, offering not just a chance to earn some extra cash, but also the flexibility to work around your course. It’s a great way to gain experience and develop skills that will be useful in the future, whether you’re looking to build your CV or just want to make some pocket money. Families are often on the lookout for responsible and reliable babysitters, and students can fit that bill perfectly. You can create your own schedule, working evenings or weekends, which makes it easy to balance with lectures and study time.

  To get started, there are several platforms where you can advertise your babysitting services. Websites like Childcare.co allow you to create a profile and connect with families looking for childcare. Another great option is care.com, where you can also find babysitting gigs and showcase your skills. For a more community-focused approach, you might try local Facebook groups or apps like Bumble Bizz, which connects people for various services, including babysitting. Don’t forget to promote your services among friends and family; word-of-mouth can be incredibly effective!

  Plus, babysitting isn’t just about watching kids—it can be a lot of fun! You’ll get to engage with children, plan activities, and sometimes even help with homework. It’s a rewarding way to spend your time, and many families appreciate the energy and fresh perspective that students bring.

• Virtual AssistantBecoming a virtual assistant can be a fantastic side hustle for students to make some extra cash. It offers a lot of flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere and set your own hours around your lectures. As a virtual assistant, you might help businesses with tasks like managing emails, scheduling appointments, or even social media management. It’s a great way to gain practical experience while earning money! Plus, the demand for virtual assistants is growing, so there are plenty of opportunities out there. Websites like  PeoplePerHour  and Upwork  are great places to start looking for gigs. You can create a profile showcasing your skills and connect with clients who need help. Fiverr is another platform where you can offer specific services, allowing you to set your rates and attract clients based on what you can do. Not only does this side hustle pay well, but it also helps you develop valuable skills that are attractive to future employers. So, if you’re organised, tech-savvy, and looking for a flexible way to earn, becoming a virtual assistant might just be the perfect fit for you!

Considering a side hustle as a student can be a brilliant idea! Not only can it help you earn some extra cash to support your studies and social life, but it also gives you valuable experience and skills for your future career. Balancing work and study, it teaches you time management and responsibility, which are essential for any job. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and expand your network. Whether you choose tutoring, freelancing, or something creative, having a side hustle can really enhance your university experience and set you up for success after graduation!