Finding a part-time job in the UK for students has become an important part of balancing studies, living costs and gaining work experience. With rising expenses and a competitive job market in the UK, students and young professionals are increasingly looking for flexible, reliable roles that fit around their schedules. To solve this, Pioneering People helps connect students to part-time opportunities that suit their availability and skills.
In this blog, we’ve highlighted the top 10 part-time jobs in the UK, catering to students, graduates, and young professionals looking for flexible work that pays well and helps build valuable skills. These opportunities are available across major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, Leeds, Glasgow, Nottingham, Coventry, Sheffield, Bristol, Liverpool, Luton, Bradford, Cardiff, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Northampton, ensuring there are options no matter where you live. From retail and hospitality to tutoring, virtual assistance, delivery driving, and fitness roles, part-time jobs in these cities provide flexible hours, competitive pay, and practical experience to boost your CV. Whether you’re seeking work during evenings, weekends, or even remotely, these roles allow you to earn while developing professional skills, gaining hands-on experience, and opening doors to future career opportunities across a wide range of industries.
Here are the top 10 part-time jobs in the UK for students and young professionals that offer flexible hours, steady income and useful experience.
- Retail Assistant
Retail Assistant roles are among the most popular part-time jobs in the UK, especially for international students. As a retail assistant, you are responsible for delivering excellent customer service by helping shoppers find products, answering questions, and providing advice or recommendations based on customer needs.
Key duties include operating the till and processing payments, restocking shelves, checking inventory, and maintaining a clean, organised, and welcoming store environment. Retail assistants also play an important role in supporting promotions, handling basic customer complaints, and ensuring products are correctly displayed.
Most retail stores operate during evenings, weekends, and holidays, making this role highly flexible and ideal for students who need to balance work with their studies. The job helps students build transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving, which are valuable across many industries.
Average Pay: £9–£10 per hour
- Barista or Waiting Staff
A barista focuses on crafting high-quality coffee drinks such as espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos, requiring technical skills like operating espresso machines, steaming milk, and understanding coffee beans and brewing methods, while waiting staff (servers/waiters/waitresses) concentrate on general customer service by taking orders, serving food and drinks to tables, handling complaints, and managing the overall dining experience, which demands strong multitasking abilities and physical stamina.
For those considering a barista job in the UK, this role offers valuable experience in precision, attention to detail, and customer interaction. Although baristas usually work behind the counter in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment and servers move constantly around tables and service areas, the roles often overlap in smaller cafés where one person may be responsible for both drink preparation and table service, making excellent customer interaction, efficiency, and adaptability essential for both positions.
- Tutor or Teaching Assistant
A Teaching Assistant (TA) in the UK provides additional support to students in the classroom, helping them academically and emotionally. You will assist teachers by supporting learning, preparing materials, helping students with special educational needs (SEN), supervising activities, and providing one-to-one guidance when needed. The role is highly rewarding as you directly impact students’ development, act as a mentor and role model, and help children grow both academically and personally.
Working hours typically align with the school day, offering a good work-life balance, and school holidays are generally included. Salaries range from around £18,300 for entry-level positions up to £25,000 for more experienced TAs or those with specialist responsibilities. Over time, the role provides opportunities to progress to teaching, high-level support roles, or specialist education areas.
- Delivery Driver
A delivery driver in the UK plays a crucial role in connecting businesses with their customers by transporting goods safely and efficiently from warehouses, retail outlets, or restaurants to consumers’ doorsteps. This role involves not only driving but also handling administrative tasks such as completing delivery forms, invoicing clients, obtaining signatures, and keeping track of routes and schedules.
There are various types of delivery drivers, including food delivery drivers, mail drivers, computer hardware drivers, and truck drivers, each requiring familiarity with different vehicles and products. Essential skills include excellent customer service, strong driving proficiency, personal organisation, and research skills for navigating new areas efficiently.
Entry-level delivery drivers can start with salaries around £16,000 per year, while experienced drivers with strong driving records and customer interaction skills can earn up to £25,000 annually, with some companies offering additional benefits for overtime or specialized deliveries. The job is ideal for those who enjoy working independently, being on the road, and interacting with people daily, and apprenticeships or early delivery experience can provide valuable career entry points and growth opportunities.
- Customer Service Representative
A Customer Support Executive works in retail, sales, or Customer Support Centers, acting as a bridge between the business and its customers. They are responsible for developing and implementing customer service policies, managing and leading teams, overseeing quality control, and training Customer Support Staff.
On a day-to-day basis, Customer Support Executives handle escalated customer queries, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), prepare reports, and ensure that service standards are consistently met. Essential skills include excellent communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, multitasking, leadership, and proficiency with CRM software. These roles are typically office-based but may involve hybrid or call centre environments.
Customer Support Executives usually report to the Customer Support Director and can progress to managerial or director-level positions with experience and further training. Salary ranges vary depending on industry and experience, with additional benefits such as bonuses, healthcare, or flexible working sometimes included. This role is suitable for candidates with strong customer service experience, leadership potential, and qualifications in business, management, or related fields, and is common in industries like retail, technology, finance, and telecommunications.
- Pet Care or Dog Walker
Pet Care and Dog Walker roles involve providing essential services to pet owners, ensuring their animals are happy, healthy, and well-exercised.
Dog walkers take dogs on daily walks, often during the day when owners are at work or away, managing safety, behavior, and well-being.
Pet care services can extend to pet sitting, pet boarding, puppy visits, pet taxis, feeding, and grooming. Essential skills include strong animal handling, knowledge of pet behaviour, reliability, time management, and customer service, with certifications like pet first aid being advantageous.
Work typically takes place outdoors in parks, streets, or private properties, and many pet care professionals operate independently, managing client schedules, bookings, and payments. Earnings vary depending on services, client numbers, and location, with opportunities to grow into a full pet care business or specialises in areas such as grooming or dog training. This role is ideal for animal lovers who enjoy spending time with pets and providing attentive, reliable care.
- Warehouse Operative
Warehouse roles offer competitive pay and flexible part-time shifts, including evenings and early mornings. Students can work with distribution centres or recruitment agencies. These roles are especially in demand in large cities and London part-time job markets.
- Library Assistant
Library assistant jobs provide a quiet, structured environment perfect for students who prefer calm workplaces. Duties include shelving books, assisting visitors and maintaining study spaces. These are classic student-friendly jobs available in universities and public libraries.
- Administrative Assistant or Virtual Assistant
Part-time admin roles help students build office and organisational skills. Tasks include data entry, emails, scheduling and general office support. Virtual assistant roles allow students to work from home, making them excellent flexible jobs for students in the UK.
- Promotions or Brand Ambassador
Promotional roles include brand ambassador work, event support and product sampling. These jobs are perfect for confident, outgoing students and are often available during weekends, university events and busy retail periods. They also make great easy side hustles for students.
How Pioneering People Supports Students and Young Professionals
Pioneering People helps students and young professionals find flexible part-time roles across hospitality, retail, events and customer service. With simple sign-up, quick access to shifts and fast payments, it offers a stress-free way to find work that fits around studies, hobbies and daily routines.
Whether you prefer weekend jobs, temporary jobs or short shifts, Pioneering People provides opportunities that match your lifestyle and goals.
Conclusion
Finding a part-time job in the UK for students is an important step towards financial independence and skill development. From retail and tutoring to administrative work and delivery roles, there are plenty of flexible roles to choose from. With support from Pioneering People, students and young professionals can easily get part-time jobs that match their lifestyle, availability and long-term goals.
FAQs
- What is the best part-time job in the UK for students?
Tutoring, retail work and hospitality jobs are popular because they offer flexibility and good hourly pay.
- How many hours can students work in the UK?
Most students work between 10 and 20 hours per week, depending on their timetable and visa rules.
- Are remote part-time jobs available for students?
Yes, roles such as virtual assistant, tutoring and customer service can be done remotely.
- How does Pioneering People help students find part-time jobs?
Pioneering People connects students to flexible, well-paid shifts and provides quick access to a range of part-time opportunities.
