Education can present numerous challenges for students, particularly in the UK, where the financial demands of attending university have risen drastically in recent years and show little sign of reducing. The combination of tuition fees, which can be quite substantial, along with maintenance loans that cover living costs, creates a hefty financial load for many young people pursuing higher education. This overwhelming financial pressure can lead to concerns about student debt and future financial stability, often steering young people away from higher education.

In light of this, many students have ample free time outside their academic commitments. This downtime offers an opportunity to pursue side hustles—flexible, income-generating activities that can help reduce some of the financial burdens linked to their education. These side hustles are especially attractive to students because they often require minimal start-up costs, making them accessible to those who may not have extensive resources. 

Side hustles can be both online and offline. Students seeking a physical side hustle might consider delivering goods, while more tech-savvy students looking for a quick online option often ask, “What is matched betting?” when exploring online side hustles. 

Freelance Work

Freelancers are often self-employed, which can be a viable option for students with a lot of free time. Freelance work involves providing a service to clients worldwide that fits within your schedule. The independence of a university student is especially beneficial for freelance work, as it allows students to choose their working hours, enabling them to complete their studies and then pursue a side hustle in their free time. Freelance work can vary depending on an individual’s skillset, which may relate to a student’s university course. An example of a freelance service is photography, for which students studying photography may already have a head start. Photography-related freelance work can be a great way to earn extra money while studying. Photography freelance work can involve contacting brands that may need professional product photographs.

Tutoring

Tutoring can be one of the most efficient and rewarding experiences for students. Considering you are already a part of higher education, you may have something valuable to offer. Tutoring can appeal to those who excel in a subject that others may need help with. Tutoring can be especially beneficial for students, as teaching a subject helps reinforce their learning while earning extra money. Additionally, tutoring requires no money to kickstart your new side hustle; your brain is all that’s needed. Tutoring can be delivered online and in-person, and face-to-face sessions may appeal to some clients, whereas some prefer online learning. Either way, tutoring can offer both, with either being equally flexible to work around your student’s schedule. Additionally, tutoring can enhance your resume for future career opportunities, as it cultivates key skills such as communication, leadership, and patience. For those managing multiple students or juggling different scheduling needs, it can help to use a tutor management software to streamline bookings, track payments, and maintain records.  

Reselling

Reselling is gaining popularity, with numerous websites and applications specifically designed for resale. People can resell anything as long as there is potential for profit. Reselling involves purchasing items at a price lower than their perceived value. People can purchase items they find valuable at a low cost and sell them for a profit. There are many options for students to start their reselling journey. 

Online platforms like Vinted make reselling clothes very popular, or they can visit local thrift stores to find bargains in person. As reselling expands, finding a niche and sticking to it is important. This can increase sales by reducing competition and ensuring that potential buyers are interested in your second-hand goods. The more effort you put in, the more profit you can make. Venues like car boot sales or thrift stores can be especially profitable for students, as people often sell valuable goods at a low price for convenience, allowing students to achieve a larger profit margin. 

Items sourced this way should be well-photographed, clean, and listed on second-hand sites like Vinted, eBay, or Depop. Additionally, sellers should provide excellent customer service, carefully handle each item, and ensure convenient shipping. This can lead to positive reviews, which will ultimately boost sales and encourage repeat customers. Additionally, students could also sell their unwanted class notes or study guides that they no longer need, which could provide an extra bit of cash for students.

Delivery Driving

Students seeking a quick, flexible, and convenient side hustle might consider delivery driving to earn extra money for their university life. Since there are no start-up costs, delivery driving can be a profitable venture for students. Although there are no initial costs as such, it typically requires a mode of transport. Popular options include cars or bicycles. Like many other side hustles, delivery driving becomes more rewarding the more time you dedicate to it. With students often having plenty of free time, this could be a worthwhile option to explore. Delivery driving generally involves delivering goods to people via a third-party app; popular apps include Uber Eats and DoorDash. It often offers instant cashouts, as well as no specialised skills, making it a great side hustle that could help cover some of your expenses.