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11 Best Online Jobs for Students in the UK: Work from Home
LikeWhy Online Jobs Are Perfect for Students
More students in the UK are turning to online jobs to earn extra income while studying. With remote work on the rise, companies now hire students for freelance and part-time roles, allowing them to work flexibly from home. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle to cover expenses or a job that could become a long-term career, there’s an online opportunity suited to your skills and schedule.
Unlike traditional part-time jobs, remote work removes commuting time, giving students more freedom to balance their studies and work commitments. Whether it’s tutoring, freelancing, or social media management, these jobs allow students to gain valuable experience while earning money from anywhere.
Key Takeaways: Best Jobs for Different Goals
✔ Highest Pay: Online tutoring (£10 - £40/hour) offers the best earnings, especially for exam prep.
✔ No Experience Needed: Transcription and surveys are beginner-friendly and easy to start.
✔ Complete Flexibility: Online tutoring, freelance writing, graphic design, and social media management let you work at your own pace.
✔ Best for Passive Income: Selling stock photos, videos, or dropshipping allows you to earn money over time.
✔ Best for Career Growth: Online tutoring, virtual assistant, and social media management can lead to long-term remote work opportunities.
Which Online Student Job Pays the Most? A Comparison of 11 Online Jobs for Students in the UK
|
Job |
Typical Earnings |
Potential for Higher Pay? |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1) Online Tutor |
£10 - £40 per hour |
Yes, up to £50+ for experts and/or experienced tutors |
Students skilled in maths, science, English, languages, or test prep or music, sports |
|
2) Graphic Designer |
£10 - £50 per project |
Yes, £100+ for branding packages |
Creative students with design software skills |
|
3) Virtual Assistant |
£10 - £25 per hour |
Yes, with expertise in social media, research, or email management |
Organised, detail-oriented students |
|
4) Freelance Writer |
£10 - £50 per article |
Yes, £100+ for expert niches (tech, finance, SEO content) |
Strong writers, researchers, and bloggers |
|
5) Sell Photos/Videos |
£0.20 - £5 per download |
Yes, passive income can reach £500+ per month |
Photography lovers and creative content creators |
|
6) Social Media Manager |
£12 - £30 per hour |
Yes, £50+ for influencer marketing and ad campaigns |
Students who enjoy social media growth strategies |
|
7) Transcriber |
£0.50 - £1 per audio minute |
Yes, medical and legal transcription pay more |
Fast typists and detail-oriented students |
|
8) Translator |
£12 - £30 per hour |
Yes, technical translations pay £50+ per hour |
Bilingual or multilingual students |
|
9) Dropshipping & Print-on-Demand |
£100 - £500 per month |
Yes, £1,000+ if scaled successfully |
Entrepreneurial students willing to market products |
|
10) Gaming & Streaming |
£50 - £1,000 per month |
Yes, £5,000+ with sponsorships and ad revenue |
Gamers willing to build an audience |
|
11) Phone Surveys |
£8 - £15 per hour |
No, survey earnings are capped |
Students looking for easy, low-effort income |
11 Best Online Jobs for Students in the UK
1) Become an Online Tutor: One of The Highest Paying Options
Tutoring is one of the best-paid online jobs for students, with many tutors earning £20+ per hour. If you're confident in a subject, you can teach it online. Whether it's traditional subjects like maths, science, English, or languages, or specialised skills like music, coding, sports, art, or even personal development.
FindTutors offers one of the largest selections of subjects, allowing tutors to share their expertise in almost any field.
💰 Earnings: £10 - £40 per hour
📌 Where to Start? → Find Student Jobs on FindTutors
💡 Pro Tip: Specialising in exam preparation (GCSEs, A-Levels, SATs) allows you to charge higher rates.
Platforms like FindTutors allow you to advertise your services and connect with learners easily.
Why Online Tutoring Pays Well
- High Demand: Many parents and students need tutoring for GCSEs, A-Levels, university courses, and language learning.
- Expertise-Based Pricing: If you specialise in exam preparation (e.g., SATs, IELTS, GMAT), you can charge higher rates.
- One-on-One Attention: Personalised learning means students (or parents) are willing to pay more than for online lessons.
- Flexible Pricing: You set your own rates on platforms like FindTutors.
2) Work from Home as a Graphic Designer
If you’re skilled in Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator, you can make money creating logos, social media posts, and branding materials for businesses. Many small companies prefer hiring students for affordable, high-quality designs instead of expensive agencies.
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to connect with clients, take on projects, and set your own rates.
💰 Earnings: £10 - £50 per project
📌 Where to Start? → Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs
💡 Pro Tip: Offering social media branding packages (logo + Instagram templates) is a great way to attract more clients.
3) Become a Virtual Assistant: A Great Career Builder
Virtual assistants (VAs) help businesses with emails, scheduling, social media, and admin work. This job is perfect if you’re organised and good at multitasking. Many companies are hiring remote assistants, and students with good communication skills are in high demand.
💰 Earnings: £10 - £25 per hour
📌 Where to Start? → PeoplePerHour, Time etc
💡 Pro Tip: Learning basic social media management can make you more valuable to clients.
4) Freelance Writing and Editing: Ideal for Strong Writers
If you enjoy writing, businesses and websites are willing to pay for blog articles, web content, and product descriptions. Students with strong grammar skills can also take on editing and proofreading jobs, particularly for academic papers.
💰 Earnings: £10 - £50 per article
📌 Where to Start? → Upwork, ProBlogger, Scribbr
💡 Pro Tip: SEO writing (writing with keywords) pays more than standard content writing.
5) Sell Photos and Videos: Good for Passive Income
If you love photography, you can sell stock photos to websites that pay per download. Companies and bloggers constantly need high-quality images, and even simple photos of office spaces, food, or nature can generate income.
💰 Earnings: £0.20 - £5 per download
📌 Where to Sell? → Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, EyeEm
💡 Pro Tip: Business-themed and workspace photos sell better than landscapes or selfies.
6) Social Media Manager: Get Paid to Use Social Media
If you love Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, businesses will pay you to manage their accounts. Tasks include creating posts, engaging with followers, and growing brand awareness. This is an excellent job for students who understand social media trends.
💰 Earnings: £12 - £30 per hour
📌 Where to Start? → Upwork, Freelancer
💡 Pro Tip: Learn basic video editing for TikTok and Reels, it makes you more valuable to clients.
7) Transcription Jobs: Easy Student Job to Start
If you type fast, transcription is a simple way to earn money. The job involves listening to audio files and converting them into text, making it perfect for detail-oriented students.
💰 Earnings: £0.50 - £1 per audio minute
📌 Where to Start? → Rev, TranscribeMe
💡 Pro Tip: Legal and medical transcription pays higher rates than general transcription.
While AI-powered transcription tools have reduced demand for basic transcription work, specialised sectors such as legal, medical, and content transcription still offer high-paying opportunities for those with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
8) Work as a Translator: High Pay for Bilingual Students
If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you can translate documents, articles, or subtitles for businesses. Translators with specialised skills in law, medicine, or finance can charge higher rates.
💰 Earnings: £12 - £30 per hour
📌 Where to Start? → Gengo, PeoplePerHour
💡 Pro Tip: Marketing translations (ads, website content) pay more than general document translation.
9) Dropshipping & Print-on-Demand: Start a Business with No Inventory
With dropshipping, you sell products without handling stock or shipping. Print-on-demand lets you sell custom T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases with your designs.
💰 Earnings: £100 - £500 per month
📌 Where to Start? → Shopify, Printful
💡 Pro Tip: Target niche markets (e.g., student-themed merch) for higher sales.
10) Gaming & Streaming: Make Money Playing Video Games
If you love gaming, you can earn money by streaming on Twitch or YouTube. With enough viewers, you can make money through ads, sponsorships, and donations.
💰 Earnings: £50 - £1,000 per month (varies by audience size)
📌 Where to Start? → Twitch, YouTube Gaming
💡 Pro Tip: Engaging with viewers helps grow your audience faster.
11) Get Paid for Taking Phone Surveys: Easy Money Maker
Market research companies pay for surveys and consumer feedback. Some surveys take just a few minutes, making this a good side job for extra cash.
💰 Earnings: £8 - £15 per hour
📌 Where to Start? → YouGov, Toluna
💡 Pro Tip: Sign up for multiple survey sites to maximise your earnings.
With so many online jobs for students in the UK, it's easier than ever to earn money from home. Whether you're looking for a high-paying tutoring job, a flexible freelance gig, or a passive income stream, there’s an option for you.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Working from Home
Succeeding in online work requires organisation, patience, and professionalism. Since many freelance and remote student jobs allow you to set your own schedule, it’s important to establish a routine that helps you manage work alongside your studies.
Many part-time online student jobs in the UK offer flexibility, but they still require commitment and reliability. Whether you're working as a freelancer, tutor, or social media manager, maintaining a professional attitude can help you secure long-term clients or even turn your side hustle into a career.
How to Get an Online Job as a Student
Follow these steps to increase your chances of getting hired:
✔ Create a Professional Online Presence: Build a LinkedIn profile and showcase your skills on job platforms.
✔ Build a Portfolio: Highlight your best work to demonstrate your expertise.
✔ Utilise Online Job Platforms: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are great for finding work.
✔ Network with Professionals: Join online communities, webinars, and events in your chosen industry.
✔ Be Proactive: Apply for jobs regularly, send proposals, and follow up with potential clients.
With so many online jobs for students in the UK, it's never been easier to earn money from home. Whether you're looking for high-paying tutoring opportunities, flexible freelance work, or passive income, there’s an option that suits your skills and schedule.
Find Part-time Online Jobs For Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the best online jobs for students?
The best online jobs for students in the UK include online tutoring, freelance writing and editing, paid surveys, and virtual assistance. These jobs offer flexibility and can be done from the comfort of your home.
Q: How can I find online jobs as a student?
You can find online jobs as a student by utilising online job boards and platforms like Upwork and Freelancer, networking with professionals in your industry, and reaching out to companies directly.
Q: What equipment and software do I need to work online?
You’ll need a reliable computer or laptop, a high-speed internet connection, a headset or microphone, a webcam, software such as Microsoft Office or Google Suite, a project management tool, and a time tracking tool.
Q: How can I balance work and studies as a student?
To balance work and studies as a student, create a schedule that allows you to dedicate time to both work and studies. Be sure to prioritise your studies and make time for self-care and relaxation.
Q: Can I work full-time as a student?
It’s possible to work full-time as a student, but it’s important to consider the demands of your coursework and ensure that you have enough time to dedicate to your studies. Balancing a full-time job with studies requires excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
Methodology: How We Calculated These Earnings
The earnings mentioned in this article are based on data from freelance job platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour), tutoring platforms (FindTutors). Actual earnings may vary based on experience, demand, and the platform used. These figures serve as general guidelines to help students understand income potential.