Part-Time Work for Students: Jobs, Hours, and Rights in the UK

When you’re a student in the UK, part-time work for students, paid employment that fits around university hours, often on campus or in local shops and cafes. Also known as student jobs, it’s not just about extra cash—it’s about learning responsibility, building confidence, and making your money go further without drowning in debt. Nearly 7 in 10 UK students work while studying, and most do it because they have to, not because they want to. Rent, groceries, textbooks, and even social life add up fast—and a regular paycheck makes all the difference.

But it’s not just about picking up any shift. student work rights, the legal protections and minimum standards that apply to students in paid roles, including pay rates, rest breaks, and contract terms are different from full-time jobs. You’re entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage (which changes yearly), paid holiday, and protection from unfair dismissal—even if you’re on a student visa. International students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full-time during holidays. Forget the myths: your university doesn’t control your schedule, and your employer can’t legally make you work more than your visa allows.

Where you work matters too. university part-time jobs, roles offered directly by your university, like library assistant, lab helper, or student ambassador are often the smartest pick. They’re flexible, understand your exam season, and sometimes even pay better than high-street gigs. Plus, you’re working with people who know what it’s like to juggle essays and shifts. On-campus roles also mean less commute time, which saves money and sleep—two things every student is short on.

Then there’s the money side. The average UK student earns between £120 and £200 a week working part-time. That’s not enough to live on alone, but it covers your weekly coffee runs, weekend trips, and emergency phone bills. Some students make more—especially if they work in hospitality, tutoring, or seasonal retail during Christmas. But don’t fall for the ‘work 30 hours a week and live like a king’ story. Most students who overwork end up tired, stressed, and with worse grades. The sweet spot? 10 to 15 hours a week. Enough to help, not enough to break you.

You’ll find advice here on how to find these jobs without wasting hours scrolling through fake listings, how to say no when your boss tries to slip in extra shifts, and how to spot a job that’s actually worth your time. We’ll show you real examples of student roles that pay well and fit around lectures, what to put on your CV if you’ve never had a job before, and how to handle tax if you’re earning under the threshold. You’ll also learn how to balance work with exams, when to ask for time off, and what to do if your employer breaks the rules.

This isn’t about chasing the highest hourly rate. It’s about finding work that works for you—so you can focus on your degree without running out of cash or energy. Below, you’ll find real guides from students who’ve been there: how they got hired at the campus café, how they avoided burnout during finals, and how they turned a part-time job into a career stepping stone. No fluff. Just what you need to know to make your student job actually help, not hurt, your future.