Best Side Hustles for Students in the UK (2026 Edition)

It’s 2025, and finding creative ways to earn as a student in the UK has never been more important. With education costs on the rise and flexible opportunities everywhere, side hustles offer a smart way to earn money, gain real-world skills, and build your experience. The best part? You don’t need huge investments or years of expertise to get started – just a proactive mindset and a willingness to try new things.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler - a skills-first portfolio platform that connects talented individuals with companies through assignments, portfolios, and projects, not just resumes/CVs. Think Dribbble/Behance for work samples + AngelList for hiring infrastructure

Online Tutoring and Academic Coaching

Online tutoring remains the top choice for UK students in 2025 thanks to its flexibility, high hourly rates, and demand from school-age learners across the country. By teaching subjects you excel in, you can help peers or younger students boost their grades while building your own teaching and organizational skills.

• Virtual tutoring platforms connect you with students who need support in math, science, languages, or study skills, letting you customize lesson plans and schedules around your classes.
• You can teach in English or other languages, and diversify by offering exam prep, essay help, or language conversation lessons.
• Many platforms provide lesson content, video chat, and payment processing—all you need is a laptop and a steady internet connection.
• Successful tutors often earn £20-£30 per hour, sometimes more for in-demand subjects or test preparation.
• You don’t have to limit yourself locally: there’s global demand for tutors, opening doors for online gigs with students abroad.

Why it matters:

Tutoring builds communication skills, boosts your confidence, and steadily increases your earning potential all while allowing you to make a positive impact on others’ education.

Freelancing in Digital Skills

Freelancing your digital skills like graphic design, writing, coding, social media or video editing is exploding among UK students in 2025. Whether you love designing posters, editing TikToks, or helping small businesses with their websites, digital freelancing is an ideal way to turn passions into income.

• Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Fueler let you create profiles, publish your portfolio, and pitch for projects in everything from social media to translation.
• As you gain experience, you can set higher rates and focus on long-term clients, building relationships and a stream of recurring work.
• Working online gives you location independence: some students manage clients from different time zones, maximizing earning hours.
• Digital freelancing combines creativity and entrepreneurship critical for the modern job market while offering hands-on project management experience.
• Many digital freelancers get discovered for internships or jobs after clients see their work online, making your side hustle a door to bigger opportunities.

Why it matters:

Digital freelancing not only pays well but helps you develop a stand-out professional portfolio, building real projects alongside your studies and making you more attractive to future employers.

Delivery Driving and Gig Economy Jobs

With the growth of fuel-efficient vehicles and new electric bikes, delivery jobs are now more accessible than ever for students. If you like being active and exploring your city, working with companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or local couriers can help you earn money on your own terms.

• Flexible scheduling means picking shifts that fit around lectures and deadlines, and taking on extra work during busy weekends or holidays.
• Riders and drivers can choose their own delivery areas, maximizing tips and reducing travel time.
• The pay structure often includes base rates plus delivery bonuses or surge pricing during peak hours.
• These roles help you learn city navigation, customer service, and time management while adding extra income to your student budget.
• If you have a car, scooter, or bike, you can start almost immediately—no long onboarding process required.

Why it matters:

Delivery gigs offer instant earning power and unmatched schedule freedom, making them a reliable safety net for UK students who need cash without sacrificing study time.

Affiliate Marketing and Content Creation

Affiliate marketing lets you earn passive income by sharing products or services you genuinely like. If you enjoy blogging, making videos, or building a following on social media, you can join affiliate networks and get paid for actions your content inspires—like clicks, signups, or purchases.

• You can promote products using unique affiliate links on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or your own blog.
• Top brands and e-commerce sites offer 1–10% commission for purchases from your referral links, so results scale with your creativity and reach.
• Students are succeeding by building niche sites or social profiles around hobbies, then subtly recommending relevant apps, gadgets, or guides.
• Reporting dashboards show exactly how well your links perform, encouraging you to optimize posts and campaigns for better earnings.
• With minimal upfront investment (maybe a website and some basic equipment), affiliate marketing offers unlimited long-term income growth.

Why it matters:

Affiliate marketing shows how digital creativity can directly boost your finances while teaching skills in digital marketing that are in high demand across industries.

Microbusinesses and DIY E-commerce

The UK’s student enterprise boom isn’t slowing down. Starting a microbusiness—whether selling crafts on Etsy, offering language lessons, or dropshipping online—teaches hands-on entrepreneurship with real financial rewards.

• Platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Shopify let you list products or digital designs quickly, reaching buyers beyond your campus or local town.
• Print-on-demand tools allow you to create branded T-shirts, mugs, or stationery with zero inventory risk.
• Many students combine their hobbies (like art, knitting, or photography) with e-commerce, turning weekend projects into solid income streams.
• Social media and marketplaces now provide built-in marketing, so you can build your brand and following while generating sales.
• Running a microbusiness gives you full control set prices, manage orders, and learn business operations in a low-risk environment.

Why it matters:

Microbusiness success stories are everywhere in UK student communities, proving you don’t need lots of money or business experience to launch and grow your own side hustle.

Creative Gigs: Photography, Performing, and Events

Turn your creativity into cash by offering services like event photography, live music, stand-up comedy, or custom art. Students with artistic or performing talent increasingly find local events, weddings, or online venues eager for affordable creative talent.

• University societies and town venues regularly hire student photographers, musicians, or DJs, giving you paid experience and exposure.
• Many creative students find extra income making and selling digital art, conducting music lessons, or supporting community events.
• Sites like Bark, GigSalad, or even Facebook groups are ideal for advertising your unique skills and finding gigs outside of university.
• Event work builds discipline and confidence while helping new students widen their network and make friends.
• Pricing and demand can rise quickly as you collect reviews and build a reputation for reliability.

Why it matters:

Creative gigs let you monetize your unique talents and passions, turning student life into a launchpad for further opportunities.

Pet Care and House Sitting

With more British families returning to travel in 2025, students who love animals can earn steady income by looking after pets or house-sitting. It’s a way to combine flexible work with downtime for studying or creative projects.

• Register with services like Rover or TrustedHousesitters to find verified pet-sitting and house-sitting jobs nearby.
• Pet owners often pay premiums for sitters willing to stay overnight, walk dogs at regular hours, or manage medication regimes.
• House sitting during holidays can combine free accommodation with paid duties, stretching your student budget further.
• These gigs can be especially rewarding for animal lovers, offering stress relief alongside extra cash.
• Repeat work is common if you’re reliable and can share references or reviews from happy clients.

Why it matters:

Pet and house sitting offer low-stress, flexible jobs with built-in perks—perfect for students balancing academic schedules with extra earning goals.

Fueler – Showcasing Student Side Hustle Success

Building a work sample portfolio on Fueler is the new way students stand out for part-time jobs, internships, or future roles. Instead of just listing side hustles on a CV, Fueler lets you present real assignments, creative work, and proof of your achievements in one professional place.

Why it matters:

A Fueler portfolio transforms side hustles into long-term value, boosting your chances of landing the best roles while you study and after graduation.

Final Thoughts

It’s never been easier, or more important, for UK students to turn talents and free time into financial security. Whether you’re tutoring, freelancing, delivering, or building a microbusiness, each side hustle teaches skills that matter for years to come. Start small, keep learning, and watch those experiences stack up for your future.

FAQs

What side hustles pay the most for UK students in 2025?

Tutoring, digital freelancing, and running microbusinesses offer high earning potential based on skill and time invested.

Are part-time delivery jobs flexible for student schedules?

Yes, delivery and gig economy work let you set your own hours and pay scales, ideal for managing around classes.

Can I freelance as a UK student without previous experience?

Absolutely digital platforms allow beginners to find entry-level gigs, build portfolios, and learn on the job.

Which side hustles look best on a graduate CV?

Side hustles with measurable results (like top-rated tutoring, successful store sales, or published creative work) show initiative and practical skills.

Is building a portfolio important for student side hustles?

Yes, proof of real work through portfolios like Fueler makes students far more attractive for internships and graduate jobs.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work. You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.