The Side Hustle Shuffle: How UK Students Boost Their Budget with Extra Income

New research conducted by Here! Student Living shows a major shift in student life, with 72% of students relying on part-time jobs as their main source of expenditure, and 45.5% taking on a side hustle to handle the day-to-day costs of being a student.

Balancing your social life, lectures, and late-night study sessions can be tricky. Add the rising cost of living, and it’s no surprise that students across the UK are turning to side hustles to top up their income. With rent, course materials, socialising, food prices, and travel costs all climbing, students are getting creative, resourceful and surprisingly entrepreneurial.

To understand how students are earning, spending and saving, we surveyed several hundred UK undergraduate and postgraduate students. From classic part-time jobs to clever digital gigs, safety considerations to potential stress triggers, and financial factors to future ambitions, this is the ultimate look at how students are navigating the world of work while studying.

Counting Coins and Cash Flows: Why Students are Seeking More Income

The first question we asked was simple. Why are students taking on extra work at all? The answer: they need to.

Students are managing a range of regular expenses, with grocery shopping and transport making up a significant part of the day-to-day spending. Student finance comes in as a core source of income, but for many, it does not fully cover essential living costs. As a result, maintenance loans are often combined with earnings from part-time work or side hustles, reflecting a wider national discussion about how student finance aligns with the cost of studying today.

The need to budget is also pushing students to learn practical money skills. 58% said they wished their university offered more guidance on how to budget as a student, so it’s unsurprising that students rely on social media for financial tips.

So uni-goers are clearly hungry for help when it comes to saving on spending as a student, but they’re also taking matters into their own hands by finding ways to earn more.

Methods and Money

Side hustles come in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s crafting or coding. 

Since everyday student essentials have shifted in price, more and more students are finding creative ways to keep up with the cost of living. 29% earn money through gig economy work, such as food delivery, tutoring and freelance creative services. These roles are more adaptable and can slot around university timetables easily.

18% run their own micro businesses, which include shops on platforms like Etsy, Depop and Vinted. Others offer photography, graphic design or copywriting services, and a growing number are creating digital products such as templates, revision notes or downloadable planners.

Across all students with side hustles, the average monthly income came to £247. But some earn far more. 14.3% said they make between £500 – £999 per month on side hustles alone. Typically, higher earners earn their cash through tutoring, content creation, coding, or online reselling.

Retail & Hospitality

It’s no surprise that retail and hospitality top the leaderboard, with 37% of students working in this field. Offering flexible hours and predictable pay, these traditional part-time jobs are popular for a reason. With zero-hour contracts, you can fit your hours around your studies, lectures, and social life.

Digital Dough: The Rise of Online Side Gigs

A major shift in student working culture is happening online. Digital side hustles are booming because they allow total flexibility.

29% of all surveyed students said they have earned money online in the past 12 months. Popular choices include:

• Online tutoring
• Freelance writing, design and video editing
• Depop and Vinted selling
• Etsy crafts
• Gaming content
• Short-form video creation

Students told us they enjoy these jobs because they can pick their own hours and avoid commuting. If you feel uncomfortable working late nights in hospitality or retail, online work provides a safer option. Plus, you’re technically your own boss.

Online income also helps students explore their passions, with several respondents saying that their side hustles had turned into long-term hobbies. With 22% admitting that their digital work boosted their confidence, and 18% are now becoming more inclined to freelance after graduation, these online side hustles are actually a great gateway into the real working world.

In short, students are resourceful, value-driven and digital first. They’re not simply earning money. They’re building confidence, learning new skills and exploring possible future career paths.

Hustle Habits and Study Schedules: Finding the Right Balance

Earning alongside study can play a useful role in budgeting as a student, but it also requires thoughtful time management. The research shows that students often need to plan carefully when combining lectures, coursework and paid work, especially during busier points in the academic year. Choosing flexible roles, setting clear boundaries around study time, and adjusting hours when deadlines approach can all help students make earning fit more smoothly into university life.

With just under half (49.7%) of students with side jobs saying that fitting everything in can feel demanding at times, the findings highlight the importance of understanding personal limits. For many, earning alongside studying is a practical necessity that supports day-to-day budgeting as a student. For others, taking on extra work may be more about choice and gaining invaluable life skills. Side hustles and part-time roles can offer valuable skills and experience, but they work best when they fit comfortably around academic priorities rather than competing with them.

Although working gives students structure and helps them manage their time better, many still find it challenging to manage shifts, seminars, and deadlines alongside one another, which may influence their overall well-being.

So while earning on the side can be empowering, it also comes with some things to consider. Students want the freedom that extra income brings, but not at the cost of tired mornings and rushed assignments. The sweet spot is finding work that supports student life rather than swallowing it.

When we asked our respondents how many hours they work, the average was 9 hours per week, but some students worked significantly more. 12% said they work more than 15 hours per week, leaving them with little time to socialise, an important part of work-life balance. 

Some students also notice differences in how their peers manage study, work and social time. In practice, most students are navigating similar considerations behind the scenes. This is why guidance, structure and support matter. Knowing when student finance comes in, how to budget week by week and how to avoid burnout can help you make better decisions about how much work is actually realistic. This is where a practical student loan guide can make a meaningful difference. 

Despite potential difficulties around time management, many students have still reported that having a part-time job or side hustle has had an overall positive impact. Earning alongside study often helps students build structure into their week, develop confidence, and feel more in control of their finances. For some, work also provides a change of pace from academic life, while offering practical skills and experience that support both personal growth and career plans.

Spending, Splurging and Saving: Where the Money Goes

So what are students doing with their extra income?

We asked where students spend the majority of their money and how they prioritise their monthly budget. The results paint a picture of careful spending mixed with occasional well-deserved treats.

Despite the stereotypes that students splurge their money on luxuries like takeaways and nights out, the 2025 Student Side Hustle Study demonstrates that this isn’t actually the case. With over half (52.7%) of students primarily spending their hard-earned money on essential bills, students are searching for ways to save money on their energy bills. This shows just how financially conscientious students are becoming; they’re clearly thinking about long-term savings, building emergency funds and stretching their budgets strategically.

And that’s where Here! Student Living comes in. Modern amenities, common rooms and bills (including WiFi for all you online entrepreneurs!) are all included in your rent, saving you money in the long run.

Pinching Pennies and Planning Ahead: Students on Saving

Budgeting as a student is one of the most requested skills among the people we surveyed.

• 58% said they wish budgeting were taught during school or university.
• 61% said they had started tracking their spending this year.
• 46% said they want to build a 3-month emergency fund.

Students are also finding ways to save socially. 39% said they prefer cheap student night in ideas over going out. So if you’re in this group, why not try a film night, board games, cooking together and themed dinners? It’s a great way to stay social without splashing too much cash.

Tried and Tested Tips: Advice from Students

To round up our findings, we asked students who’ve been there, done that, and got the T-shirt to share honest advice for anyone thinking about starting a side hustle. Their answers were candid, caring and refreshingly real. Here are the most common and most powerful pieces of advice…

1. Pace Yourself Before You Burn Out

“Money is never worth it if you burn yourself out”, one student told us. The importance of balance was a recurring message, with students emphasising that health always comes first.

Another echoed this, saying you should not sacrifice your mental well-being just to earn a few extra pounds. We suggest starting small with just a few hours a week and gradually increasing if it feels manageable.

2. Know Your Timetable Before You Commit

Another advised to “get an idea of the workload (from uni) first.” This prevents clashes with lectures and important deadlines. Speak to managers and lecturers as early as possible if you need support for working out a plan.

3. Make Friends, Not Just Funds

Your university years are about more than money. Students reminded us that friendships and community matter too. One piece of advice that stood out is “the people you meet, the connections you build and the skills you learn are invaluable.” Meeting others, joining societies and saying yes to new experiences can lead to opportunities you did not expect, including paid ones.

4. Play To Your Strengths

Another popular tip was to “make sure the side hustle you choose is something you want to spend your time doing.” If you love kids, tutoring might suit you. If you enjoy creativity, try design or content creation. If you like organising, admin and office roles are ideal. Doing something you love makes extra work feel less draining.

The Final Word: Students Are Smart, Strategic and Stronger Than Ever

Our findings show a generation of students who are driven, creative and incredibly resilient. They’re budgeting carefully, using their side hustles wisely, and navigating financial considerations with impressive maturity.

Despite the cost of living, students are still stepping up, supporting each other, and shaping their own financial future.

Side hustles are not just about earning cash. They are about building skills, confidence and independence. With the right balance, the right support and the right community around them, students can thrive academically, socially and financially. 

At Here! Student Living, we believe that understanding these trends helps universities and accommodation providers support students better. Whether through clearer budgeting resources, more flexible payment options or tools that help students save money on their energy bills, there is always more we can do. Ready to join a community that does just that? Secure your stay with Here! Student Living today.