How to Find Student Jobs

Why Take a Student Job?

Your student loan covers the basics. It doesn’t cover the other fifty things that actually cost money when you’re a student. Entering employment early doesn’t just help keep your bank balance out of the red; it’s also one of the few places outside of Uni where you have an opportunity to actually build skills nobody’s grading you on.  

In fact, engaging in extra activities by working a couple of hours each week will allow you to pay for your living expenses, improve your CV, gain independence, and develop personally. 

Without eating into your actual university life. 

Fortunately, student jobs are based on flexibility. In fact, seasonal jobs for students, such as those found during the summer or holidays, provide students with an opportunity to earn income during their “exam-free” months.  

Prefer to keep weekdays free for lectures and assignments?  

Weekend roles exist for exactly that.  

Today’s job market is competitive, especially at entry level. But that doesn’t mean you have to tackle it alone. By speaking to individuals knowledgeable about the hiring process like recruitment consultants, your university’s career services, and/or your own professional/educational network, you may be able to identify and secure opportunities which would otherwise be unavailable to you through simply searching job boards solo.  

How to Find Student Jobs

There’s no shortage of career opportunities for students outside of the university bubble. Many employers are open to hiring people with no experience. You just need to know where to look.  

How do I find entry-level jobs with no experience?

Look for entry level roles that offer on the job training and don’t require previous industry experience. They’re more common than you think. Students often jump straight to retail and hospitality jobs first, but logistics can also offer really flexible entry level opportunities with on-the-job training.  

In fact, logistics jobs don’t require any experience and provide on-the-job training. Although it is important to note that a lot of logistics roles require manual handling and long periods of standing.  

However, they are a great way to develop soft skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. As well as gaining experience from the people around you.  

Which is free education you won’t get from a course.   

Having work experience as well as academic can be beneficial to future-proof your career. Even a few months of steady logistics work gives you your first professional reference and something real to put on a CV. That’s what makes the next job easier to land. 

Head to our guide on finding a job with no experience for more tips to help you get hired.   

Searching for jobs near me

Typed “student jobs near me” into Google and got nothing useful? That’s not because those jobs don’t exist – it’s because you’re looking in the wrong place. 

Don’t waste time sifting through listings that were never going to work for your schedule in the first place. 

Start with What’s Nearby

Start with recruitment agencies in your area, especially those based in the town centre this is particularly useful if you’re studying in an unfamiliar city away from home. It’s also worth looking at cafés, shops, and gyms near campus as they regularly hire for part-time workers.  

Here’s where a specialist recruiter can save you a lot of trial and error 

The Best Connection lists part-time jobs across sectors and locations, often with same week starts as well as providing inductions and training to help turn the unknown into a structured step by step plan for when your official first day comes around.  

With 80+ branches spread across the country, you can easily find a branch local to you by using our ‘Find a Branch‘ page to connect with the local team who actually know your area best. 

Use Your University’s Resources and Network 

Beyond agencies, check your university’s careers service like student unions and job boards; many roles advertised there are aimed specifically for university students and won’t appear on general job sites.  

Career fairs are also worth attending each term, and don’t forget about networking with tutors, other students, and part-time colleagues who often hear about openings before they’re posted.  

Building connections is just as important as gaining experience.  

Search Social Media Groups and Pages

Social media is where a lot of part-time jobs get posted, often before they ever reach formal job sites. Keep an eye on local Facebook groups, university pages, and community Instagram accounts which are hyper-targeted to your area and student population. Making it easier to find student jobs that fit your schedule.  

It also can be easy to apply to, since many employers just want a quick comment or DM which may lead to a phone call rather than a full CV and cover letter.  

Before contacting any recruiters on any social media platform just make sure it is a genuine employer and never pay any kind of ‘fee’ to apply for a job. That’s not how it works.    

Contact Recruiters Directly

Contacting recruiters directly can show them you’re proactive about finding work. Keep the message brief and professional, as this is often their first impression of you. It could lead to a phone call. Even if nothing’s available right now, they might keep your CV on file for future part-time career opportunities.  

It’s also worth building your network with recruiters who specialise in the industry you want to develop further in, as they’ll understand your skills and match you to more relevant opportunities. Agency recruiters are especially useful here, since they represent multiple clients and are more likely to keep your profile on file. 

Don’t overlook local recruiters as they know the area best and often have strong relationships with nearby businesses.  

Don’t skip local recruiters. They know the area, and they know the businesses in it. The Best Connection, for example, has branches nationwide, so instead of scrolling through endless job board listings, a consultant filters that down for you.  

Tips for Balancing Work and Study 

Look, we aren’t going to sugarcoat it. Balancing work and study can be difficult. It’s just a few decisions, made early, that can save you a lot of stress later. Here’s where to start.  

1. Manage your time Block out study hours first, then fit shifts around them. Make sure to schedule time for self-care and social life as well; it’s important to have a balanced lifestyle. It’s important to stay well rested so you don’t get burnt out. Be honest with your manager or recruiter beforehand, so you can set boundaries around your exact availability before you even start the job.  
2. Set realistic hours Many students manage 10–16 hours a week without it affecting grades. With the National Living Wage rising to £12.71/hour (21 and over) and £10.85/hour (18–20) from April 2026, even a 12-hour week now works out to roughly £130–£150 before tax.  Enough to cover essentials without eating into study time. 
3. Build transferable skills Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving from a part-time job are exactly what future employers look for. 
4. Use annual leave effectively If you’re strategic with your annual leave you can take time off to go home outside of term time. As well as booking holiday in advance to prepare for large deadlines or revise for exams. For instance, The Best Connection holiday entitlement is tracked in hours, not days. This will help with booking shorter or partial days off and fairer accrual as your hours may change from week to week. Your leave will build up in line with the time you’ve actually worked.  

Read our full article on how to juggle study and work for more information.  

Popular FAQs

✅ How many hours can students work part-time?

It depends on your age. Under-18s have a legal cap, while over-18s have more flexibility. 16–17-year-olds are legally capped at 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week under the Working Time Regulations 1998. From 18, students have more flexibility, though a 48-hour average weekly limit technically still applies unless you choose to opt out. Most students work 10–16 hours a week in term time to protect study time, rising during holidays. 

✅ What’s the best part-time job for a student?

The best student jobs offer flexible scheduling around your timetable: retail, hospitality, and logistics roles are consistently popular for this reason. 

✅ Are seasonal jobs worth it for students?

Yes, student seasonal jobs over summer or the holidays let you earn more in a concentrated period without affecting term-time study. 

✅ How long do placements typically last?

It varies, some placements run for a few weeks, others for several months, depending on the client and the role. According to the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, agency workers are entitled to the same basic pay and working conditions as permanent staff after having worked in the same role for 12 weeks. Since we have a network of 80+ branches, The Best Connection will also be able to assist you in finding further or alternative work should an assignment come to an end. 

✅ Why should I consider temporary work? 

Temporary work offers flexibility and variety which is perfect if you’re between jobs, studying, or seeking extra income. Many clients offer different shift patterns, allowing you to choose hours and locations that fit your lifestyle.  

✅ Do student jobs come with staff discounts?  

Often, yes, and the perks can add real value on top of your hourly wage. A variety of things such as; free meals, staff discounts, flexible shifts around lecture times, or travel expense cover reduce your day-to-day costs. This means you can stretch how far your money goes. 

As an example; after a short qualifying period, workers get access to discounts on shopping, groceries, travel, and entertainment through the Perks at Work scheme offered by The Best Connection.  

Discounts vary by employer; therefore, it is recommended that prior to taking a position check out what discounts are available.