Jobs for students

By the Vocatia team · Updated 21 October 2026 · How we write our guides

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Jobs for students are usually part-time shifts in shops, cafés, bars, warehouses and offices, campus jobs, tutoring, or work from home, plus full-time hours at Christmas and in the summer. The best student job is one that fits around lectures and deadlines, so start with the hours and kind of day you want.

Right now Vocatia lists 1,846 UK jobs with part-time hours. The most common are cleaner, administrator and payroll administrator. (Live figures, 21 October 2026.)

Browse 1,846 part time jobs ›

How many hours should a student work?

If you're a UK student, the law doesn't set a weekly limit for students, but your course has to come first. Many universities publish guidance on how much paid work they recommend during term, so check what yours says, especially before exams and hand-in dates.

Holidays are different. Christmas, Easter and summer are when many students work full-time or pick up extra shifts, and lots of employers hire seasonal staff for exactly those weeks.

International students: work limits

If you're in the UK on a Student visa, your visa sets how much you can work. Universities explain the usual rules like this:

  • degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time
  • students below degree level can usually work up to 10 hours a week during term time
  • you can work more during official vacations, but the dates depend on your course, and master's students usually don't have a summer vacation
  • you can't be self-employed, take a permanent full-time job, or work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer

Your own limit is shown on your eVisa or decision letter. Paid and unpaid work both count. Check with your university's international student advice team before you accept a job, because working over the limit can put your visa at risk.

Jobs that suit students

Shops, cafés and bars

Evening and weekend shifts fit well around lectures. You'll be on your feet and serving customers, and many places hire with no experience.

Campus jobs

Universities and students' unions employ students as ambassadors, library and admin assistants, event staff and bar staff. Shifts are often planned around term. Ask your careers service or job shop what's available.

Tutoring

If you're strong in a subject, tutoring school pupils pays well per hour and can often be done online in the evenings.

Warehouses and delivery

Night and weekend shifts in warehouses, and delivery driving if you have a licence, can give you more hours in fewer days. The work is physical and often target-based.

Work from home

Some customer service, admin, data and content roles are home-based with part-time hours. Read the advert carefully for set shift times, and see our guide to genuine work from home jobs to avoid scams.

Part-time work from home jobs

46 jobs

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Christmas and summer jobs

Seasonal work in shops, warehouses, delivery, hospitality and events gives you full-time hours in the holidays. Our guide to when Christmas jobs start explains when to apply.

Part-time jobs near you

1,846 jobs

  • 1:1 Maths Tutor - Yeovil

    Working alone Helping people Indoors

    Quantum Scholars · Yeovil

    £30.00–£32.00 an hour

    Part-time

See all 1,846 ›

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What student jobs pay

Students get the same National Minimum Wage as everyone else. From 1 April 2026 it is £12.71 an hour if you're 21 or over and £10.85 an hour if you're 18 to 20. Many employers pay more, especially for nights, weekends or skilled work like tutoring.

Do students pay tax and National Insurance?

Yes, students pay Income Tax and National Insurance in the same way as anyone else, but most part-time earnings fall below the thresholds. For the 2026 to 2027 tax year:

  • you don't pay Income Tax on the first £12,570 you earn in the year (the Personal Allowance; Scotland has different tax bands)
  • you pay National Insurance at 8% only on earnings over £242 a week, or £1,048 a month

If too much tax comes out of your pay, for example from an emergency tax code on a new job, HMRC usually refunds it after the tax year ends, or you can claim it back.

Find work that fits your week

Choose the kind of day you want, then add your town:

If you're 16 or 17, our guide to jobs for 16 and 17 year olds covers the rules for under-18s.

Common questions

What are the best jobs for students?

Ones with flexible or part-time hours that fit your timetable: shop, café and bar work, campus jobs, tutoring, some warehouse and delivery shifts, and part-time work from home. Holiday work adds full-time hours when you're not studying.

How many hours can a student work?

UK students have no legal weekly limit, but most universities suggest keeping term-time work manageable. International students on a Student visa usually have a term-time limit of 20 hours a week for degree-level study, or 10 hours below degree level.

Do students pay tax on part-time jobs?

Only if they earn over the Personal Allowance, which is £12,570 for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. National Insurance is due on earnings over £242 a week.

Can students work from home?

Yes. Customer service, admin, data entry and tutoring roles can be home-based. Check the shift times and that the employer is genuine before you apply.

Can international students work in the UK?

Usually yes, within the limits on your visa. Check your eVisa and ask your university's international advice team if you're unsure.

Start with how you want to work

Pick the hours and the kind of day that suit your course.

Browse 1,846 part time jobs ›

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