Every Indian wishes to study abroad, in a new city with a lot of opportunities and where no one knows them. You thought the same, right? And asking for money from your parents doesn’t feel right, especially when you’re studying in one of the most expensive countries, the United Kingdom. The cost of living in the United Kingdom is way higher than what you spend in your home country, India.
That is the sole reason why most of the students who get to study in the UK opt for some work on their weekends or post-study hours on weekdays. And that is absolutely fine until you can manage everything.
A part-time job will not only pay for your daily expenses but will also help you become self-dependent. Furthermore, certification received after completion will help you get good work opportunities in the future.
As an international student, this part-time work experience will help you assimilate better into British work culture and acquire new skills.
However, maintaining a quality study-life balance is quite important besides working. That is why many colleges and universities recommend international students not to work more than 15 hours a week.
Table of Contents
Types of part-time jobs for international students:
On-campus part-time job for students
As the name suggests, you can do this kind of job while being on your campus during or maybe post-college/university hours. An on-campus part-time job might not pay you as per your expectations but will provide you with the experience needed to step into the real job market.
Some of the on-campus part-time jobs include serving as a library assistant, teaching assistant, lab assistant, and even research assistant. You can also work as a campus guide for new students and campus ambassador.
Off-campus part-time jobs for international students
An off-campus part-time job is the best way for students to fund their daily expenses. However, an off-campus job is quite time-consuming, and you will necessarily need to move out of your campus.
There are a number of off-campus jobs you can do, at your convenience and knowledge. However, some part-time jobs like customer service representatives, sales specialists, restaurant service assistants, and delivery assistants, are popular among students.
Online part-time jobs for university students
Since COVID-19, there has been a rapid rise in the online work culture. Many companies and businesses hire students to work for them on a part-time basis, that too Online. Which in turn helps students to work on different projects with specific deadlines, while also contributing to their studies potentially. You can choose from tons of projects and work on them as per your comfortable schedule, and financial needs.
However, make sure to fix your compensation and ask them about the experience certificate they will be providing after your job completion. A good and clear agreement made in the initial stage will not affect your bond and expectations with your employer.
Some online part-time jobs that you can do with your studies are social media marketing, content creation, blog writing, content writing, web design, etc. Anything besides these jobs will also be perfect, as long as you can manage them with your studies.
Here is a list of the top 10 part-time jobs that an Indian student with a scholarship visa can opt for while maintaining a study life.
Job | Average Salary (Per Hour) | Average Weekly Salary (20 Hours) |
Teaching Assistant | £ 11.65 | £ 233.0 |
Customer Service Representative | £ 11.13 | £ 222.6 |
Event Planner | £ 14.00 | £ 280.0 |
Tutor | £ 25.00 | £ 500.0 |
Babysitter | £ 13.00 | £ 260.0 |
Dog Walker | £ 12.50 | £ 250.0 |
Library Assistant | £ 12.00 | £ 240.0 |
Barista | £ 10.00 | £ 200.0 |
Tour Guide | £ 12.32 | £ 246.4 |
Translator | £ 14.11 | £ 282.2 |
How can you as an international student find a part-time job in the UK?
If you are willing to find a part-time job in the UK that suits your study schedule and convenience, you should follow the following tips.
- University resources: Start by looking for employment and career services at your very own university. Usually, every university offers some postings for part-time jobs only for students. Universities and colleges often organise career fairs, employment boards, and listings to help students find part-time jobs for them.
- Alumni association: The second best tip for you is to connect! Get in touch with your college alumnus and ask them for a roadmap through your semester. A better connection is what you should make in your university days. If you successfully build a good bond with your alumni, then you can also ask them to refer your profile to their companies.
- Online job portals: Look for websites and online job portals that are willing to hire students for part-time jobs in the United Kingdom. Part-time job employment can easily be found on websites like Indeed, Reed, etc.
- Networking: The best way to find a job is networking. Ask your professors, teachers, or peers at your university, if there is a part-time job opening they know about. Sometimes, job openings that are not publicly posted can be found via networks.
- Local businesses: Local businesses like cafes, restaurants, shops, or supermarkets hire part-time workers who can serve them in the meantime. Some stores and companies may also post-employment openings on their websites or storefronts.
- Social media: Social media is a great way to find a part-time job of your liking. Look for social media pages and forums where employers in the UK have posted job openings for students. You can leverage the power of X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
- Career fair and events: Every university and neighbourhood group organises career fairs and different events for students to find part-time jobs for themselves. Many different employers attend these events and hire the students they see potential in.
- Volunteer work: Give a part of your time to volunteer for local charities and organisations. Volunteering can open doors to many opportunities and networking that you are looking for.
Conclusion
University students can work both on-campus, as well as off-campus to fund their daily expenses. Some of the on-campus jobs include library assistant, lab assistant, teacher’s assistant, and even research assistant. On the other hand, off-campus jobs include job profiles like delivery services, reception jobs, and many more.
However, a student needs to balance a life between his academics and his work life. Studies come first, make sure you focus on academics even if you have work to do. Consider the tips mentioned in this blog to get a part-time job as per your preference and knowledge.