Moving to the UK to study is exciting, but let's be honest, it is also expensive. Rent, food, travel, books, and just living day to day can eat up your savings fast. That is why so many international students look for part time work while they study. It is not just about the money either. A part time job helps you build a UK work history, improve your English, meet new people, and understand how things work in a country that is very different from home.
Before we get into the list, there is one rule every international student must know. If you are on a Student visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term time. During official holidays, like the summer break, you can often work full time, but this depends on your visa conditions, so always check your visa letter or ask your university's international student office before you take on any job. Working more hours than your visa allows is a serious breach of your visa conditions and can put your studies and your stay in the UK at risk.
Now, here are ten part time jobs that tend to pay well for international students, along with realistic hourly pay ranges. Keep in mind that pay depends on your location, your experience, and the employer. Since April 2026, the UK legal minimum wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for those aged 18 to 20, and £8.00 for under 18s and apprentices. Any job you take must pay at least this amount by law.
1. Private Tutor
Pay: Around £15 to £35 per hour
If you are strong in a subject like maths, science, English, or even a language you speak natively, tutoring can be one of the best paying options. Many families look for tutors to help with school exams or university entrance tests. You can find students through university noticeboards, tutoring platforms, or word of mouth. The pay is good because you are selling your knowledge, not just your time.
2. Web Developer
Pay: Around £15 to £30 per hour
If you know coding, this is a great way to earn well while working flexible hours. Small businesses and startups often need help building or fixing their websites. Freelance platforms are a good place to find short projects that fit around your class schedule.
3. Graphic Designer
Pay: Around £12 to £25 per hour
Businesses always need logos, social media posts, and marketing material. If you are good with design tools, this work can be done from your laptop, which makes it easy to fit around lectures and assignments.
4. Data Entry Clerk
Pay: Around £10 to £15 per hour
This job does not pay as much as tutoring or design work, but it is a reliable option if you have basic computer skills and want steady hours. Many of these roles can be done remotely, which is useful during exam season.
5. Delivery Rider
Pay: Around £10 to £16 per hour, sometimes more with tips and bonuses
Working for food delivery apps on a bike or scooter is popular because you choose your own hours. Earnings can go up during busy times like weekends or bad weather, since demand is higher. Just remember, if you are delivering on a bike or scooter, check what documents and insurance you need first.
6. Bartender
Pay: Around £10 to £14 per hour, plus tips
Bar work often comes with tips on top of your hourly wage, which can boost your total earnings, especially on weekends. It also helps you practise English in a fast paced, social setting.
7. Waiter or Waitress
Pay: Around £10 to £13 per hour, plus tips
Restaurant work is one of the easiest part-time jobs to find as a student, since turnover is high and many places are used to training new staff. Busy shifts usually mean better tips.
8. Retail Assistant
Pay: Around £10 to £12 per hour
Shops need extra staff for evenings, weekends, and holiday seasons. Many retail jobs also come with staff discounts, which can help you save money on things you already need to buy.
9. Customer Service Representative
Pay: Around £10 to £14 per hour
If you are comfortable talking on the phone or answering messages and emails, customer service roles are widely available and often offer flexible shifts, including evening and weekend slots that work well around lectures.
10. Research Assistant
Pay: Around £10 to £15 per hour
Universities often hire students to help with research projects, surveys, or data collection. This is a great option if you want experience related to your degree, and it looks good on your CV for future academic or research work.
A Few Honest Tips Before You Start
Getting a good part time job is not just about finding the highest number on paper. A few things matter more in the long run.
Always confirm your visa's work conditions before accepting any job offer. Your university's international office can guide you on this, and it is worth five minutes of your time to avoid a serious problem later.
Ask for a written contract or at least a clear message confirming your pay rate, hours, and job duties. This protects you if there is ever a pay dispute.
Keep track of your weekly hours, especially if you have more than one job. It is your responsibility to stay within your visa limit, not your employer's.
Look beyond just the pay rate. A job close to your accommodation, with hours that fit your class timetable, is often worth more than a slightly higher wage that leaves you exhausted before exams.
Finally, treat your studies as the priority. A part-time job should support your time in the UK, not take over it. Balance is the real key to making the most of your student years here.
With Inforens, you get just that: access to a strong international student community, guidance from experienced mentors with whom you can book personalized calls, an easy-to-use CV Builder to help you create a professional CV for UK job applications, and support from our expert professionals throughout your study abroad journey!