The “struggling student” stereotype has hit a lot harder due to the pandemic. Whilst the job market post-uni might be challenging, we have a few ways you can earn money to help keep you afloat.

Graduate job schemes like SES are very popular when graduating from university. Whilst competitive, they offer sustainability and effective training to give you a leg-up in your desired career. However, despite the obvious benefits, there are other ways to make money beforehand.

University is a whirlwind and many students have no idea what to eat for dinner, let alone what job they want to do for the rest of their lives. So without further ado, here are 6 ways you can earn money during and after your university studies.

Become an online tutor
One of the best ways that you can study and earn money is by teaching others. By becoming a private tutor with sites like Tutor House, you could earn anything between £20 to £90 per hour depending on your level of experience. This is not only great for your bank account but rewardingly beneficial to your studies. Research shows that through teaching others you can improve your own memory and knowledge base.

Becoming a private tutor is simple and flexible. You can choose your own hours, focus on a particular level of study and have the luxury of working from the comfort of your own home. If you’re someone who wants to pursue a career in teaching or working with SEN pupils, tutoring is a great way to get some first-hand experience, which also looks great on future job applications!

Sell your university books
What’s the best way to celebrate the end of university? Burning your books. All jokes aside, a more sustainable (and environmentally-friendly) way is actually to re-sell your books. Check your university platforms or online markets, like eBay and Facebook, to share your textbooks and materials to make some quick cash.

Freshers and undergraduates are also on the lookout for a bargain, hence why reselling your textbooks at an affordable price is worthwhile. Not only are you gaining more space (mentally and physically) by selling your books, but you’re also earning a nice profit.

Write blogs or articles for student companies
Your experience as a university student proves invaluable. If you’re someone who enjoys writing and thinks you have some expert advice to give, then you could share this via student blogs or graduate job platforms.

There are hundreds of postings via LinkedIn for copywriters and blog writers. The average rate for a freelance blog writer is around £30-£50 per 1000 words you write — you’re literally being paid for your stories and tips! You can specialise in your subject niche and educate people as you go. Again, this is a great way to also get experience and build a portfolio that will set you apart from other candidates on your job hunt.

Be a test monkey
You can apply to be a market research assistant and get paid to test products. Some studies are online surveys or carried out over the phone, whilst others are in-person focus groups. Provided you don’t have any allergies or fear of laboratories, you could earn between £30 to £250 for your participation.

This position might be particularly interesting for BioMed, Pharmaceutical or Psychology students who want to learn more about their field in practise. Becoming a market researcher assistant is also a flexible choice that works around your studies, or whilst you’re looking for jobs.

Invest in stock
Contrary to popular belief, investing in the stock market is not ridiculously risky. Established companies like Landsown Hargreaves or Barcleys have some of the best rates, which in turn boosts your chances of success. The process is simple:

1) Open an account
2) Choose your shares
3) Trade from anywhere in the world

Keep an eye out in the market for popular industries so that you can make a more strategic decision. Stock investing is a sure-fire way to earn money and start paying off those university debts.

Host a paid webinar
Since the pandemic, online tuition and webinars have become increasingly popular. Everyone wants to learn something from verified sources; with your expertise as a university student, people would pay you for your knowledge. In general, each “ticket” costs around £70 for a one-hour session, dependent on your credentials.

There are many legit online platforms that can help you host your webinar for a small fee. Choose something that you’re confident in talking about, like Political Trends in the USA or The Psychology of Advertising. The benefit of webinars is that they are shared worldwide, meaning you can earn a comfortable profit whilst you work from the comfort of your home.

One last note
Earning money as a student doesn’t need to be tricky, just use your experience and studies to your advantage. The examples above are great ways to earn money both at university and once graduating, with the potential to get necessary experience for your future careers.

 

Author: Naida Allen
Naida is a witty wordsmith with a love for writing and reading. She is a Content Writer and Social Media Executive at Tutor House — the top UK provider of online and in-person tuition. She specialises in topics relating to mental & physical wellbeing and career advice.