Side hustles for students

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is a way to earn extra money alongside your studies or part-time job, typically on a self-employed or freelance basis.

Unlike traditional employment, side hustles are flexible. You decide when and how much you work, making them ideal for students juggling lectures, coursework and social commitments.

'More formal employment might entail set hours with a weekly wage or monthly salary, but with a side hustle, you need to find or create opportunities and undertake work under your own steam,' says Helena Joyce, entrepreneurship manager at the University of Sussex.

How many students have a side hustle?

Side hustling is becoming increasingly common, with recent data highlighting its rapid growth. According to Save the Student's National Student Money Survey 2025, nearly a third (30%) of students now run a side hustle alongside their studies.

Across the wider workforce, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self‑Employed (IPSE) estimates that around 460,000 people in the UK operate a side hustle within the self‑employed sector, though broader measures suggest the true figure is significantly higher.

More recent industry data indicates that around three in ten UK workers now have a side hustle or second income stream, underlining how mainstream the trend has become, particularly among younger generations.

What are the best side hustles for students?

If you're looking for inspiration, here are some of the best side hustles - combining flexibility, low start-up costs and earning potential.

Creative side hustles

• Baking and catering - Sell homemade cakes, pastries or baked goods locally or supply small events.
• Crafting and selling products - Create jewellery, candles, homeware or artwork to sell at markets, fairs or online.
• Pet sitting and dog walking - Ideal for animal lovers, with flexible hours and steady demand.
• Photography or videography - Offer freelance services to local businesses or individuals. Find out how to become a professional photographer.

Customer service work

• Delivery driving or riding - Work with platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Amazon Flex.
• Festival and event work - Earn extra cash while gaining access to events and networking opportunities. Find out how to get a festival job.
• Mystery shopping - Get paid to review shops, restaurants or services and provide feedback.

Discover 5 skills you’ll gain from customer service jobs.

Specialist side hustles

• Music gigs or lessons - Perform locally, busk or teach instruments like guitar or piano.
• Upcycling and reselling - Restore second-hand furniture or sell items via platforms like eBay or Vinted.
• Tutoring - Offer one-to-one tutoring in subjects you excel in, either in person or online.

You should also check your university's job board, as on-campus part-time roles can double as convenient side hustles. Learn more about student jobs at university.

Can students side hustle online?

Online side hustles are particularly popular due to their flexibility and remote nature. You could:

• Become a content creator - Build an audience on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram and earn through ads and sponsorships.
• Start a podcast - Share your interests and monetise through advertising once you grow your audience. Find out how to start podcasting and listen to Prospects Future You.
• Set up an online shop - Sell crafts, clothes or collectables via Etsy, eBay or Vinted.
• Get into freelance writing - Find paid writing opportunities through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
• Become a virtual assistant - Offer admin support such as email management, scheduling or data entry.
• Manage social media accounts - Help businesses grow and manage their online presence.
• Sign up for online surveys and user testing - Earn small amounts by reviewing products, apps or websites.
• Transcribing - Convert audio files into written content if you have strong listening and typing skills.

Why should students consider side hustling?

• Produces extra income - The majority of students operate on a tight budget and if wages from your part-time job don't cover your expenses, you're sick of relying on your parents for a cash boost, or you don't want to dip into your student loan for spending money, a side hustle is the perfect way to gain a bit of financial freedom. Get some tips on saving money as a student.
• Flexible nature - The beauty of this type of work is that it fits around you. You can choose a hustle you're passionate about and work in free periods, whether that's the evenings, weekends or during breaks in your day.
• Career exploration - 'Side hustles can provide insight into different fields and industries, helping students make informed career choices,' explains Ben Dalton, entrepreneurship and start-up project officer at the University of Liverpool. Take a look at our job profiles to see what different careers involve.
• Provides work experience and skills development - Side hustling helps you gain practical work experience (especially useful if your hustle is related to your degree or career goals). It also gives you a platform to hone both hard (knowledge of specific software if a graphic design student freelances for local businesses, for example) and soft (organisation, interpersonal, decision making and problem solving) skills. Read up on what skills employers want.
• Affords networking opportunities - 'Engaging in side gigs often opens doors to professional networks and connections,' adds Ben. Connect with the contacts you make on LinkedIn and keep in touch - you never know when they'll come in useful.
• Looks impressive on job applications - Running a side hustle while at university shows employers your self-motivation, creativity and tenacity. It also gives you real examples to use in interviews to illustrate transferable skills such as organisation, time management, leadership and communication. 'We have seen a rise in job adverts expressly seeking candidates with an entrepreneurial mindset,' says Helena.

How much can I earn by side hustling?

Earnings vary depending on the type of work, the time you invest and your level of experience. Getting a side hustle off the ground can take time and it might be a while before you turn a profit.

The National Student Money Survey found that:

• the majority (74%) of those surveyed with a side hustle earned below £500 in the past year
• 13% earned between £501 and £1,000
• 8% between £1,001 and £3,000
• 4% between £3,001 and £10,000
• only 2% earned more than £10,000 from their side hustle.

Do I need to pay tax on a side hustle?

Yes, in some cases.

• You can earn up to £1,000 per year from self-employment under the trading allowance without declaring it.
• If you earn more than £1,000, you must submit a self-assessment tax return.
• However, you'll only pay income tax if your total earnings exceed the £12,570 personal allowance.

It's important to keep accurate records of your income and expenses.

How do I choose a side hustle?

When it comes to picking a side hustle your options are vast, but more often than not they're based around your hobbies and interests, so use this as a starting point.

'Kick-starting your entrepreneurial journey with a side hustle that aligns with your hobbies, interests or skills will not only make it more enjoyable but will also increase your chances of success,' explains Ben. 'Your passion for your side hustle will motivate you to keep going, and you'll be more resilient when facing challenges. Plus, working on something you love can provide valuable experience and growth, making it rewarding, both financially and personally.'

Also ask yourself:

• What am I good at? Do you have any skills or talents that you could monetise? Perhaps your excellent organisational skills could be used as a virtual assistant, or if you play a musical instrument, you could start giving private lessons.
• What do I want to get from my side hustle? Are you solely focused on earning more money? Are you more bothered about gaining experience and skills in a certain field? Do you just want to pursue a passion? Do you want to test the water with a business idea you'd like to follow up on in the future?
• How much time do I have? Be honest and realistic, as this might help to rule out the more taxing ventures.
• What resources are available to me? Do you have everything you need to make your side hustle work? Consider the materials and equipment you'll need. Will you be able to deliver the product or service you're offering?

'A key piece of advice is to share your goals with your friends, family and peers as people are often keen to make suggestions and introductions but can't help if they don't know what you're aiming for,' says Helena. 'Once you start getting work, make sure you get feedback and testimonials to help you improve and enhance your profile over time.'

Are there any drawbacks to side hustling?

'While side hustling offers many benefits, it's not always easy,' says Ben.

• Consistency of income. 'Developing a side hustle can be a less predictable and regular form of income when compared with more traditional part-time work,' warns Helena.
• Establishing your hustle. Some can be hard to get off the ground so don't panic if your venture doesn't take off straight away. Be patient and persistent.
• Having to juggle work and study. 'Balancing a side hustle with academic responsibilities can be challenging and may impact study time or academic performance, if not managed properly,' cautions Ben. Read up on 7 time management tips for students.
• Burnout. Your free time is already limited as a student so be prepared for your side hustle to impact this even more. Filling your study-free hours with work to earn extra cash can lead to burnout. Try to set aside time for your side hustle and stick to a regular schedule where possible. Factor in times where you can relax, socialise and unwind.
• Distraction. 'Side hustles may become a distraction if they consume too much time or if students struggle to maintain focus on their studies,' adds Ben.
• Visa restrictions. If you're an international student on a Tier-4 student visa you're not allowed to run a business or be self-employed while studying in the UK. Carefully check your visa restrictions before undertaking paid work.

Side hustles offer students a flexible and practical way to earn money, develop skills and explore potential career paths. Whether you choose to work online, freelance or start a small business, the key is to find something that fits around your studies and aligns with your goals.

Start small, stay consistent and focus on building something sustainable and your side hustle could become much more than just extra income.

Find out more

• Discover 7 ways to improve graduate employability.
• Read about 5 ways to manage student stress.
• Learn how to overcome imposter syndrome.