Student life in the UK is an uphill battle. The cost of living and studying in the UK has escalated over the past few years. Due to this, students are now facing financial pressures and stress. To cope with these difficult times, students are now searching for “ How to earn money online for students in the UK”.

UK students have to cover their tuition fees, accommodation expenses, travel expenses and daily life expenses because often their financial support, i.e maintenance loans, don’t cover the basic cost. This has resulted in anxiety and stress among UK students.

You might think about how the trend of traditional part-time jobs has shifted to online earning jobs. However, it mainly revolves around the reasons for flexibility and convenience. It is a bit easier for UK students to manage online jobs with their studies as compared to traditional part-time jobs.

It is the most practical way for UK students to earn money while also managing time for studies. Now, students can earn from home, libraries or even on campus.

In this blog, let’s discuss how UK students can earn money online, how much they can earn, and the growing trend of earning money online among UK students.

Whether you have just shifted to the UK for your studies or are thinking of ways to grow your income as a student, this guide is your lifesaver!

Why is there a Trend of Online Earning among UK Students?

There are many factors for the growing trend of online earning among UK students.

• The first one is flexibility. It is one of the major reasons. You can work in the comfort of your own home or in your library, or wherever you feel more comfortable. Other than this, you can work around your class schedules, deadlines or when exam dates are near. Also, in some online jobs, you can choose the time when you like to work depending on your schedule and preference, for example, if you are a night owl, then you can work at night, or if you are an early bird, then you can work in the early morning.

• The next cause of this growing trend is convenience. You don’t have to waste hours travelling from one place to another to earn money, unlike traditional part-time jobs. As a result, your time and commuting cost is saved.

• Online earning jobs offer higher earning potential because they pay in GBP. Therefore, students find it more beneficial as compared to minimum wage campus jobs.
• In the UK, students are suffering anxiety and stress because of the high cost of living and expenses such as rising rent, energy bills and food prices. This has made online earning jobs essential.

• The next factor for this growing trend is the rise in digital platforms. Freelance platforms such as Fiverr, Peopleperhour are easily accessible. UK students can earn from these platforms if they are consistent and have the skills.
• Many students also work online, intending to develop skills. When you choose your way of online earning, you must consider the methods that can help you in your CV, such as teaching, graphic design, content writing, etc. It’s also a way to build a portfolio and explore passions, not just money.
• Due to COVID-19, digital and remote earning has been normalised.

How much do UK Students Earn from Online Jobs?

If you are wondering how much a UK student can earn from a typical online job, then let me tell you. It depends on the type of work, skill level and time commitment.

Let’s divide the online jobs into three major categories: skills-based online jobs, task-based online jobs and long-term online income streams.

• A task-based job, such as surveys, data entry or typing jobs, can generate a modest income. You can earn between £50 to £300 per month. Also, it depends on your effort and availability. These jobs don’t require any prior experience, and you can start them whenever you want.
• Moreover, a skill-based job such as freelancing, tutoring, content writing or graphic designing has a higher earning potential. You can earn around 500 £ to 1500 £ per month. However, it requires consistency.
• Furthermore, long-term income streams such as blogging, selling digital products, or content creation demand lots of time and patience. The initial income may be low, but with consistency, it grows to several thousand £ per year.

What Factors Affect the Earnings of UK Students from Online Jobs?

• Time availability: it is one of the most obvious factors. Being a student means you need enough time for your studies too. Therefore, you must consider your study schedule and exam dates before deciding how much time you can dedicate to your online job. Students who can effectively manage time can dedicate more hours to their online jobs without compromising on their studies.
• Skill level and experience level also affect your income. As a beginner, you can start with lower-paying jobs. Moreover, if you have gained experience or learned a high-demand skill, then you can definitely earn more.
• Diverse platforms: well-established and reliable platforms offer better payment security and better opportunities for earning. However, from your end, consistency and professionalism are crucial for earning potential.

Overview of the Best Online Jobs for UK Students:

You don’t need to have expensive tools or a reputable degree to earn money online. This is because some jobs are suitable for beginners too. Also, some jobs require some skills that are not difficult to develop.

• As a beginner, you can start with jobs like data entry roles or surveys. However, such roles do not pay you much.
• However, freelancing and e-commerce jobs are beneficial in the long term.

The most common online jobs include freelancing, tutoring, data entry, typing jobs, earning apps, surveys, blogging and Google-based earning opportunities. SO, its ideal that students should choose the best online earning websites for students in the UK as per their knowledge and experience or interest for freshers.

However, you must choose the option that suits your skill level and goals. While some online jobs provide immediate income, others focus on long-term growth.

Freelancing Opportunities for UK Students:

The most popular side hustle for UK students is offering freelance services to clients online. The major benefit of earning through freelancing is its flexible nature. You can choose your own working hours.

Services that you can offer as a freelancer are content writing, ghostwriting, copywriting, graphic design, social media management, video editing, translation, assignment writing help and virtual assistance.

Students can find online freelance work in the UK at many different popular platforms. Like the most popular freelance platforms are Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour. Moreover, these platforms are accessible and easy to use. You just need a laptop, an internet connection and beginner-level skills, and you’re good to go!

However, you have to invest time in creating your profile and listing your services. Also, collect examples of your work and customer reviews for your portfolio. This will add credibility to your profile.

You can set a per-hour rate according to the skill level you have. Freelancing is also beneficial in terms of developing skills like communication with international clients.

Online Tutoring and Teaching Jobs for UK Students:

Many students in the UK need to search for online tutors to teach them courses in which they face challenges. This is where you can take advantage and offer online tutoring.

If you are competent in subjects like math, science, biology or English, you can earn money by using your knowledge to enlighten other students.

There are many platforms suitable for students searching for online tutors. Therefore, you can be a part of such platforms, such as tutorful, mytutor, super prof. Moreover, you can earn up to £15 to £30, depending on your expertise and knowledge.

However, you must have certain qualifications, diplomas or certifications to demonstrate your subject matter expertise. In this way, these platforms will help you get more tuition.

Online Data Entry Jobs for UK Students:

One of the simplest and straightforward online jobs is data entry. It involves adding, updating and managing information in databases or spreadsheets.

It only requires a quick typing speed and attention to detail. Moreover, it doesn’t require any prior experience or qualification. Although there are plenty of online jobs for students to earn money in the UK. So, it depends on the students to choose the best earning methods as per their expertise.

You can earn up to £15 per hour as a data entry clerk.

Online Transcription Jobs for UK Students:

Even with the increasing use of AI for many jobs, a human transcriber remains crucial for context, accuracy, and understanding jargon.

This job involves transforming audio and videos into written texts from podcasts, interviews and webinars. Moreover, it requires time, good listening skills, quick typing and attention to detail; no prior experience is required.

You can earn up to £13per hour by being an online transcriber; however, if you have experience with industry-specific transcriptions, then you can earn even more.

Online Survey Jobs for UK Students:

It is easy and simple to earn money from the comfort of your home. It involves taking surveys, sharing your opinions and getting rewarded.

Moreover, this online job requires only a few minutes. However, the pay is low, around £5. So, you can not earn a lot of money but only a side pocket money. So, don’t rely on this job as a long-term source of income; instead, consider this job as a way to supplement your main income.

Some popular platforms for online surveys are:

Swagbucks: you can earn points by completing surveys, watching videos and shopping online.

Toluna and YouGov: You have to complete surveys related to public opinion and consumer habits.

You can maximise your earnings by signing up for multiple platforms to increase opportunities, being careful in your surveys and tracking your time to ensure it is worth the payout.

Blogging and Content Creation Jobs for UK Students:

If you enjoy creating videos, blogs or digital content, then there are multiple ways to monetise your creativity.

It is one of the best long-term ways for online earning without investment for students

It requires a lot of time and consistency. Later, you earn lots of money through it.

Blogging:

• Begin your blog using WordPress or Wix on topics like student life, technology etc.
• You can monetise it through affiliate marketing, ads, sponsored posts or ad revenue.
• For making your blog a passive income stream, you must post high-quality content regularly, focus on a specific niche and use seo techniques in your blog to drive traffic, which leads to an increase in the earning potential.

YouTube and TikTok:

On these platforms, you can create educational, lifestyle or entertaining content. Moreover, you can monetise your content through ad revenue, brand partnerships and merchandise.

However, you have to be consistent if you want to increase your earnings.

If you are a new content creator, then you can earn £ 50 to £ 200. However, with dedication, you can increase your earnings.

Affiliate Marketing: Online Earning for UK Students through Promotions:

It involves promoting products and services and earning a commission for each sale through unique referral links.

It is a way of earning passive income that requires no experience or investment.

You can start with affiliate marketing by first choosing a niche related to your studies or interests. Then, you have to sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or CJ Affiliate. Next, promote the products on your blog, via media or YouTube channel.

The earning potential from commission varies from 5% to 50% depending on the product and platform. Moreover, a successful affiliate marketer can make thousands per month, too.

Earning Money through Selling Products Online:

UK students can begin earning from a small-scale e-commerce venture from the comfort of their home.

Some popular options include: designing shirts, mugs or stationery and selling it via platforms like Redbubble, Teespring or Merch by Amazon. Moreover, you can also sell jewellery, art or home decor on Etsy. Another way is to buy discounted items and resell them on eBay.

If you want to be a successful seller, then you can search for the trends to understand the in-demand products. You can use social media to market your products for free.

The earning potential is around £50-£500, depending on the price of the product and the number of sales.

Virtual Assistant Jobs for UK Students:

As a virtual assistant, you have to manage a business by completing its administrative and technical tasks. If you have good communication skills or time management skills, then this job is suitable for you.

Your task may include managing emails, scheduling appointments, social media posting and customer support. Moreover, these tasks require no prior experience or qualification.

You can sign up on platforms Belay or Upwork. The earning potential of this job can be increased with consistency and performance.

How can UK Students Avoid Scams while making Money Online?

You might be on cloud nine after knowing the endless opportunities for online earning. However, there are some risks of scams that you must consider if you are planning to earn money online.

1. The major red flags: the online earning platforms that make unrealistic promises, such as earn £500 per day from home or get rich just in one day, are fraudulent. Any job that seems too good to be true reflects that there is something suspicious going on. Moreover, you must avoid platforms that ask for payment to access the job.
2. Research the platforms thoroughly: before you sign up on a platform, you have to research it. You can check the reviews on websites like Trustpilot or search for discussions on Reddit, etc. Furthermore, reputable platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork and people per hour are widely used by UK students.
3. Protect your personal information: if an online earning platform asks for your personal information, like bank passwords or PINs, then you should know that it’s a scam. Also, use secure payment methods such as PayPal or Wise for transactions.
4. Clear payment terms: reliable platforms clearly state when and how you will be paid. Therefore, you must avoid the platforms that have no schedule for payments. The key tip is to read the terms and conditions before signing up.
5. Use antivirus and security tools: You must ensure that your devices are protected from malware because some fraudulent websites can cause viruses to infect your device. The key tip is to use antivirus software and use a secure browser.

How can UK Students Balance Online Jobs with Studies?

With lots of academic pressure and financial stress, students feel there is no way out. However, with effective time management and efficiency, it is possible to earn money online without compromising on studies.

The key is discipline, knowing which task to prioritise and organisation:

1. Create a schedule: time management is crucial. Therefore, you must begin with a weekly timetable. It should include all the details of your lectures, study hours and deadlines. Then, dedicate specific blocks of time to online work so that you don’t have to compromise on your studies. You can use tools like Google Calendar and Trello to keep all your tasks organised.
2. Set realistic goals: you must know your limit of working hours, therefore you must take online work up to the extent you can manage. You should focus on quality over quantity. Set weekly or monthly targets that are achievable without compromising your studies. For example, decide on the number of tasks you will complete each week.
3. Prioritise high-value tasks: some online jobs pay more money for the same effort required. Therefore, you must invest your time in jobs that offer the highest return on investment of your time. For example, tutoring or freelancing has better pay compared to survey tasks.
4. Don’t procrastinate: due to flexible work hours, you can feel like procrastinating on the work. Therefore, the key tip is to stick to your schedule and consider your online jobs as serious as you would consider a traditional job. To boost productivity, you can use the Pomodoro technique.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, online earning is now an essential part of life for UK students. With the rise in the cost of living and studying, and in order to cope with the financial burden, students search for the best ways to earn money online, such as freelancing, content creation, blogging, etc.

With so many opportunities to earn money, there is also a risk of scams and fraud. Therefore, you must know how to identify and avoid the red flag platforms.

Also, you must know how to juggle between professional and academic commitments. The key to success is time management!