Ways for students to make money

By Jasmine Birtles, financial expert from Moneymagpie.com

- Student budgeting calculator
- Eating for free
- Tips and tools to help you cope with debt

It’s not easy to support yourself as a student, but there are plenty of small, inventive ways to earn money. We’ve got loads of money making ideas — some are more suitable for the summer holidays, others can be done in term time. Just pick the ones that suit you best.

Holiday Work

Camp America

If you fancy working with kids and travelling the States, Camp America [http://www.campamerica.co.uk/] is your answer. Your food, accommodation and flights are paid for as you guide kids through sports and activities for 9 – 12 weeks and as part of your visa agreement you get a month at the end of the scheme to travel around. Certain charges including medical insurance and air taxes apply but you can gain valuable and fun experience as well as ‘after camp’ payment – up to £518 for taking charge of a group of kids, based on your age, skills and experience.

Get paid to get teaching experience

If you’re considering a career in teaching, then check out the Student Associates Scheme [http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/experienceteaching/jointhestudentassociatesscheme.aspx]. It’s possible to earn £600 tax-free for a fifteen day placement at a primary or secondary school. There is no age limit to do a placement - the only requirement is that you must be enrolled on a course at a higher education institution.

Be an extra

Want to be in a movie or TV programme? Acting extras are essential for scenes in films or television shows. You can earn £80 for a normal 9 hour day. Try The Casting Collective [http://www.castingcollective.co.uk/] or Ray Knight Casting [http://www.rayknightcasting.com/] for starters.

Paid charity work

Be part of a street team

Be employed to sign people up to donation schemes for charities like Oxfam or the Red Cross . You’re paid a flat rate plus commission for the number of people you sign up. Travel costs are normally met by the employers.

Work during term time

Work in a bar

You can select bar work shifts that won’t clash with your course but ‘overtime’ and ‘shift swaps’ are likely to threaten your valuable social life, so don’t commit to a job unless you’re serious. Find jobs at the Student’s Union or in the back of the classifieds. Bar jobs notoriously pay minimum wage - £5.73 an hour if you’re over 22 and £4.77 if you’re between 18 and 21 - but if you work in a city centre wine bar, the tips can be more favourable and will boost your income.

Work in a restaurant or cafe

Restaurant and cafe work can be found quite informally with advertisements in the window. Again, the potential wage is the national minimum wage, but the tipping tendency is stronger.

Informal work

Get your friends out partying

There are clubs out there that will pay you to bring your friends along by working as a promoter. Pay varies at different clubs – you could earn commission on your guests’ entrance fees, sometimes around 35-50%, or get paid per hour. Many of these opportunities are centred in London. Take a look at the Part time/Evening/Weekend jobs section of Gumtree.com.

Performing at functions

Singers, bands and orchestras can make themselves good money by playing at functions, weddings and parties. Advertise on the internet and create flyers and posters. Depending on the size of the band, you can be paid around £200 a time for a performance.

Busking

Busking involves less organisation than functions, although there’s no guarantee on income. You’ll need to check with the council or local authority of where you plan to busk for details on rules and regulations. Try the website Musical Busker [http://musicalbusker.co.uk/] for more information.

Be an online music reviewer

If you like music and writing, check out Slice the Pie. [http://www.slicethepie.com/Default.aspx] You can join their community and rate the unsigned bands that are on the site while earning a small rate each time you send back a review.

Babysitting

Babysitting is an easy way of making money. Whether it’s an informal arrangement for a friend during the holidays or through an agency if you’re at university (for which you’ll need a CRB check [http://www.crb.gov.uk/]), both can lead to a reliable client list and regular work. If you’ve been trained in childcare courses you could charge £5-6 an hour.

Quick money earners for any time

Deliver leaflets

You could deliver leaflets and promotional materials door to door. Businesses usually set payment per round – check out Gumtree [http://www.gumtree.com/] for quick opportunities.

Dog walking

How about walking dogs for extra cash? In London you can earn up to £15 a dog. Whether you do it through an agency or ‘freelance,’ it can be very flexible and good for your health! Visit Pet Pals [http://www.petpals.com/vacancies.htm] for current vacancies.

Market research

Sign up with Sarosresearch [http://www.sarosresearch.com/main-index.html] and earn £30-£50 for 2 hours work, sharing your views in discussion groups, or participating in surveys on various products and services.

Online Surveys

It is quick and easy to make money just by answering a few questions. There are loads of online survey sites out there – check out some of our recommended sites: