🎓 Top 12 Online Jobs for Students UK: Earn Money from Home

1. Home Jobs for Students: What Can You Do?
2. Top 12 Online Jobs for Students in the UK
3. How to Find Online Jobs as a Student in the United Kingdom

Balancing uni, bills, and your social life? You’re not alone. With the cost of living on the rise, more UK students are turning to online jobs that fit around their studies, without draining all their energy.

The good news? There are tons of online roles that don’t just help you earn some extra cash, but also build real skills for your CV. Whether you’re after a quick side hustle or something that could lead to a long-term remote career, here are the 12 best online jobs for students in the UK right now.

💻 Home Jobs for Students: What Can You Do?

Remote work opportunities are growing fast, and students in the UK are in a perfect position to take advantage. Whether you’re looking for a high-paying skill-based job or something simple to do between lectures, there’s an option that fits.

Here are 12 of the best online jobs for students in the UK that we’ll explore in detail:

1. Online Tutoring: Teach school subjects or skills you already know, and earn up to £40/hour.
2. Freelance Writing: Get paid to write blogs, articles, or website content.
3. Graphic Design: Use your creativity to design logos, social media posts, or branding kits.
4. Virtual Assistant (VA): Help businesses with admin, scheduling, and inbox management.
5. Transcription Work: Convert audio files into written text, ideal for fast typists.
6. Social Media Manager: Manage posts and grow engagement for brands or creators.
7. Gaming & Streaming: Build an audience on Twitch or YouTube and monetise your gameplay.
8. Online Research Assistant: Support businesses or academics by sourcing, summarising, and analysing information.
9. Online Test Scorer / Essay Grader: Review written student responses and earn money for marking work online.
10. Survey Taker: Earn small payments for sharing your opinions on products and services.
11. Translator: Use your language skills to translate documents or subtitles.
12. Dropshipping & Print-on-Demand: Sell custom products online without holding stock.

Each of these jobs can be done from home (or anywhere with Wi-Fi), and most require little to no prior experience to get started. In the next sections, we’ll break down how much you can earn, what skills you need, and where to find work for each.

🎓 Flexible Work for Busy Students

Online jobs are an increasingly popular option for students in the UK who need flexible hours, remote work, and real income.

Whether you're based in halls, at home, or travelling during term breaks, remote jobs make it possible to work from anywhere and still stay on top of your coursework. With a laptop and internet connection, you can pick up flexible jobs that suit your schedule, skills, and interests.

Online roles like online tutoring, freelance writing, and virtual assistant work allow you to build experience while earning money. Meanwhile, online surveys and product-based side hustles offer simple ways to make extra cash in your spare time.

From marketing gigs to part-time research jobs, there’s a wide range of online job options for students in the UK, and we’re breaking them all down below.

🔄 Part-Time Online Jobs: What Makes Them a Great Fit?

Traditional part-time roles like waiting tables or retail work often require fixed hours, late shifts, and commutes. In contrast, part-time online jobs:

• Let you choose your hours
• Can be done from home or campus
• Often pay better per hour
• Build long-term skills (writing, tutoring, organisation, etc.)
• Can turn into future careers (many freelancers and online tutors go full-time post-graduation)

You don’t need years of experience to get started, many online jobs for students are beginner-friendly and open to anyone willing to learn.

Top 12 Online Jobs for Students in the UK:

1. Online Tutoring: Best Overall Student Job

Online tutoring is easily one of the smartest ways for university students in the UK to earn money. It’s flexible, in demand year-round, and pays far more than the average part-time role.

Whether you're studying maths, biology, English, or even music or coding, you can use your existing knowledge to help school pupils, and get paid well for it.

🧑‍🏫 Why Online Tutoring Is Better Than In-Person

While in-person tutoring limits you to local clients, fixed times, and travel costs, online tutoring gives you more:

• Work from anywhere: at home, on campus, or during holidays.
• Flexible hours: fit sessions around your lectures and deadlines.
• No transport: save time and money.
• Wider reach: you’re not restricted to students in your city.
• Higher earning potential: especially with specialised subjects or exam prep.

And with tools like virtual whiteboards, file sharing, and screen sharing, online sessions can be just as interactive, and often more convenient, for both tutor and student.

💰 How Much Can You Earn?

• £15–£20/hour as a new tutor
• £25–£40/hour with more experience or subject specialisation (e.g. A-Level Physics, 11+, SATs)
• Top tutors working part-time can earn £500–£1,000+ per month, completely remotely

How much you can earn on GoStudent?

• From £620 / month for just 10 lessons per week
• To £2480 / month for about 40 Lessons per week
• Dedicated tutors get Loyalty and Referral Bonuses for their efforts

🚀 Why GoStudent Is a Great Platform for Student Tutors

Unlike tutoring marketplaces that require you to build your own profile, advertise your services, and chase new students, GoStudent does the hard work for you.

Here’s what makes GoStudent stand out:

• Students are matched to you based on your skills and availability, no self-promotion needed
• You don’t set pricing manually. GoStudent manages rates, making it easier to focus on the actual teaching
• Structured support: You get onboarding, training, and ongoing help from a dedicated tutor team
• Built-in classroom tools: Use GoStudent’s integrated platform for video calls, shared documents, and lesson planning
• Flexible scheduling: Choose your hours and availability in advance, then teach when it suits you

While platforms like FindTutors offer flexibility and personal freedom to set rates and build your own student base (great for entrepreneurial tutors), GoStudent is ideal if you want to start quickly, get consistent students, and focus purely on teaching, not sales, admin, or invoicing.

✅ What You Need to Start

• Confidence in at least one subject (maths, science, English, etc.)
• A good internet connection and quiet space to teach
• Commitment to professionalism, punctuality, preparation, and clear communication
• Bonus: Familiarity with the UK school system and exam boards gives you an edge

🖥 Where Else Can You Tutor?

If you want to explore other options too, here are four other major platforms:

• FindTutors: Post your profile, set your own rates, and find students directly. Ideal for building long-term clients.
• MyTutor: Focused on UK school students, with built-in lesson tools
• Preply: Focused on language learning
• Tutorful: Offers academic and hobby subjects

🎓 Why It’s Worth It

Becoming an online tutor pays better than most student jobs. But more importantly, it builds real-world skills: confidence, communication, planning, adaptability, and subject mastery. You’re not just earning money, you’re developing experience that stays on your CV long after uni.

2. Freelance Writing: Ideal for Strong Writers and Researchers

Got a way with words? Freelance writing lets you turn essays, blog posts, and creative thinking into income, no degree required.

💰 Average Pay:

• £10–£20 per short article (300–600 words)
• £30–£100+ for SEO blog posts, technical articles or longer content

✅ Requirements:

• Strong grammar and writing skills
• Ability to research and follow briefs
• (Optional) Basic SEO knowledge, can increase your rates

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Upwork: Popular freelancing site, ideal for beginners.
• ProBlogger: Job board for blog writers.
• PeoplePerHour: UK-based freelance platform.
• Fiverr: Set your own packages, attract clients over time.

📌 Tips:

• Build a small writing portfolio (3–5 samples) in Google Docs or Notion.
• Use Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to polish your content.
• Specialise in a niche (e.g. finance, education, fitness) to charge more.

3. Graphic Designer: For Creatives with Visual Skills

Whether you're a Canva pro or a Photoshop expert, graphic design offers creative students a chance to earn from their talent.

💰 Average Pay:

• £10–£50 per project starting out
• £100+ for branding packages or social media bundles

✅ Requirements:

• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Figma
• Basic understanding of visual hierarchy, colour, and typography
• A small portfolio of sample designs (even mockups count!)

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Fiverr: Easy to get started with template packs.
• 99designs: High-quality design contests.
• Behance / Dribbble: Portfolio platforms to get noticed.

4. Virtual Assistant: Great for Organised, Tech-Savvy Students

If you’re organised and good at juggling tasks, virtual assistant work is a great way to support businesses remotely while gaining valuable admin experience.

💰 Average Pay:

• £10–£18/hour for basic tasks
• Up to £25–£30/hour for experienced VAs or those with niche skills (e.g. email marketing, data entry, social media)

✅ Requirements:

• Good organisational and communication skills
• Knowledge of Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, or Notion
• Confidence in handling admin tasks like calendar booking, inbox management, etc.

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Time etc: UK-based platform for part-time assistants.
• Upwork / Freelancer: Large project base.
• Belay (US-based, but remote-friendly)

📌 Tips:

• Learn basic project management tools (Trello, Asana).
• Offer specific services like travel planning, spreadsheet formatting, or social media scheduling.

5. Transcription Work: For Fast Typists with a Good Ear

If you can type quickly and accurately, transcription work is a decent online job. You'll be paid to listen to audio files, interviews, podcasts, medical notes, and convert them into text.

💰 Average Pay:

• £0.50–£1 per audio minute
• Experienced transcribers can earn £10–£20/hour (real time)

✅ Requirements:

• Excellent spelling, grammar, and listening skills
• Fast typing speed (65+ WPM ideal)
• Basic transcription software (often free) and headphones

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Rev: Large platform for beginners (US-based but UK accessible)
• TranscribeMe: Low payout but good for entry-level experience
• GoTranscript: UK-friendly, accepts learners
• Way With Words: UK-based and offers higher pay for experienced typists

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• Low barrier to entry
• Great if you like working independently and enjoy audio content
• Flexible hours and the ability to work at your own pace

6. Social Media Manager: Monetise Your Online Skills

Love TikTok or Instagram? Turn your scrolling skills into a paid role by helping brands grow their presence online.

💰 Average Pay:

• £12–£20/hour for freelance content creation
• Up to £50/hour for strategy or paid ad management

✅ Requirements:

• Understanding of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn
• Basic Canva/video editing skills (Reels, Stories, short videos)
• Ability to write engaging captions and grow engagement

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Upwork: Lots of social media gigs from small businesses
• PeoplePerHour: Focus on UK clients
• Direct outreach: Contact local cafés, gyms, or student orgs to offer services

7. Gaming & Streaming: Monetise What You Already Enjoy

Gaming might sound like a hobby (and it is), but students in the UK are turning Twitch, YouTube, and Discord into real side incomes. With consistent effort, you can earn through ad revenue, donations, affiliate links, and sponsorships.

💰 Average Income:

• £50–£300/month for small but growing channels
• Top creators earn £1,000+ per month through multiple income streams

✅ Requirements:

• A gaming setup with mic, webcam, and streaming software (OBS)
• Engaging personality and consistency
• Ability to build a community through live interaction or content

🔍 Where to Start:

• Twitch: Live streaming platform with monetisation features
• YouTube Gaming: Great for recorded Let’s Plays or guides
• Discord: Build a fanbase and offer perks
• Ko-fi / Patreon: Accept donations or offer exclusive content

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• You’re turning entertainment into income
• You learn content creation, editing, branding, and community management
• Great for creative students with consistent energy and time to build an audience

8. Online Research Assistant: Help Others Find and Analyse Information

If you're detail-oriented and good at finding credible information, becoming an online research assistant is a great way to support academics, businesses, or content creators remotely.

💰 Average Pay:

• £12–£20/hour depending on the client and subject area

✅ Requirements:

• Strong research and critical thinking skills
• Ability to summarise and reference sources clearly
• Familiarity with Google Scholar, databases, and Excel or Docs

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Upwork / Freelancer: Look for research-based projects
• PeoplePerHour: UK-focused freelance gigs
• Reach out to postgrads, journalists, or authors in relevant fields via LinkedIn

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• Great for students who enjoy academic work
• Sharpens skills in analysis, writing, and sourcing credible data
• Can often be done independently and on your own schedule

9. Online Test Scorer / Essay Grader: Mark Student Work from Anywhere

If you’re strong in English or education and enjoy reviewing student work, online test scoring or essay grading could be a rewarding and well-paid side job.

💰 Average Pay:

• £10–£20/hour, depending on subject, level, and organisation

✅ Requirements:

• Strong grammar and subject knowledge (especially English or humanities)
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Some companies may require you to pass a training test

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Pearson: Hires seasonal scorers for exams and assessments
• WriteScore: Focuses on essay and short response grading
• Indeed / LinkedIn: Search for remote scorer or grading roles

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• Quiet, focused work you can do on your own time
• Ideal for students studying English, Education, or Psychology
• Often seasonal, great for holiday or exam-free periods

10. Survey Taker: Simple, Low-Effort Way to Earn Extra Cash

Taking online surveys won’t make you rich, but it’s a super easy way to make a bit of money in your spare time, especially while commuting, watching TV, or during study breaks.

💰 Average Pay:

• £0.50–£3 per survey (depending on length and platform)
• Active users report £30–£100/month from consistent participation

✅ Requirements:

• No experience required
• Must be 18+ (some platforms accept 16+)
• Need a PayPal or bank account for payouts

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• YouGov: UK-focused surveys, widely trusted
• Toluna: Variety of product and opinion surveys
• Swagbucks: Offers surveys plus cashback and small task payments
• Pinecone Research: Pays more per survey but limited availability

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• Can be done anytime, anywhere
• No commitment, just log in when you want to earn
• Great for topping up your income with zero upfront skills needed

11. Translator: High-Earning Job for Bilingual Students

If you're fluent in another language, translation is one of the most valuable and well-paid online jobs available to students. You could be translating websites, product descriptions, blog articles, or subtitles for videos.

💰 Average Pay:

• £12–£30/hour
• Technical/legal translation can go up to £50/hour+

✅ Requirements:

• Native or near-native fluency in two languages
• Strong written communication skills
• (Optional) Experience in specific fields like legal, academic, or marketing content

🔍 Where to Find Work:

• Gengo: Great entry-level platform
• ProZ: Community and job board for translators
• Upwork / PeoplePerHour: Search for freelance translation gigs
• Translated.net: Another beginner-friendly agency site

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• High hourly pay
• Great use of your existing language skills
• Experience looks excellent on CVs, especially for global companies or study abroad plans

12. Dropshipping & Print-on-Demand: Build a Small Online Business

If you’re business-minded or creative, selling custom products online could be the perfect side hustle. With dropshipping, you sell products without handling inventory. With print-on-demand, your custom designs are printed on items like T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases only when someone places an order.

💰 Average Income:

• £100–£500/month for beginner stores
• Can scale to £1,000+/month with successful targeting

✅ Requirements:

• Interest in design, marketing, or e-commerce
• Willingness to learn basic digital tools (Shopify, Printful, Canva)
• Time investment upfront to set up and test what sells

🔍 Where to Start:

• Shopify: All-in-one e-commerce platform
• Printful or Printify: Print-on-demand suppliers with no inventory risk
• Etsy: Ideal for niche or student-themed products
• TikTok/Instagram: Use social media to market your designs

📌 Why it’s a fit:

• Passive income once set up
• Learn real-world marketing, e-commerce, and branding skills
• You control everything, pricing, designs, branding, and strategy

🔍 How to Find Online Jobs as a Student in the United Kingdom

Most online jobs are found through freelance platforms, job boards, and networking communities. Here’s how to start your search:

• Use sites like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer to apply for remote gigs
• Explore student-friendly tutoring platforms like GoStudent or FindTutors for online tutoring
• Create a professional profile on LinkedIn and start connecting with potential clients
• Use relevant job search keywords like “remote student jobs UK,” “part-time online jobs for students,” and “freelance work from home”

Don’t forget to prepare:

• A simple CV or online profile
• A few examples of your work (writing samples, design mockups, tutoring subjects, etc.)
• A clear idea of your availability and hourly rate expectations

🔚 Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways for students in the United Kingdom to earn money from home, whether it’s through tutoring, marketing, paid surveys, or remote part-time jobs. Use job search sites to filter by contract type, salary, city, or county, and set up an email alert to stay updated.

Whether you're looking for flexible work during the week or a more permanent role, start your search, save your preferred listings, and join the growing number of students working from home and getting paid for what they’re passionate about.