How To Start A Side Hustle At University
Starting a side hustle at University is easy, you just need to figure out what you want to do, sign up to relevant platforms and get to work.
A side hustle can be a great way to earn some extra cash at university.
Managing finances at university can be tough, and while student loans help, they don’t always stretch far enough—especially when nights out, rent, and books start eating into your budget.
Whilst most students opt for the more conventional part-time job, there is another way to make money online. Here's how
What Is A Side Hustle?
A side hustle is any work you do independently to earn money, outside of a traditional job. Unlike a part-time job, you’re not tied to an employer’s schedule or wage—you decide when, where, and how you work.
But a side-hustle can mean many things. It may mean offering your services to a company or client as a freelancer.
This doesn’t mean being permanently employed by them, but working for them on a temporary basis. It will also typically involve being paid by the hour.
It may also mean working completely independently. More entrepreneurial individuals may want flexibility that conventional jobs rarely possess. This is what makes them such an attractive prospect to anyone looking to earn some extra money.
If the idea of earning money without being stuck in a café or retail job sounds appealing, keep reading—starting a side hustle might be easier than you think.
How Do You Start A Side Hustle At University?
Starting a side hustle doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you launch yours:
1. Identify Your Interests and Skills
The best way to start a side hustle is by identifying your interests, skills, and professional goals.
Having a side hustle will mean not having a formal contract or employer, so you’ll need to be self-motivated.
Ask yourself:
What am I good at?
What do I enjoy doing?
What skills do I already have that others might pay for?
Generally, it’s a lot easier to persist with something if you’re genuinely passionate about it. Think about your key skills and how you can monetise them.
For example, do you enjoy art? Consider graphic design. Do you like writing? Maybe freelance copywriting is the route to go down.
Or do you love data? Surveys could be the way to go.
Here are some popular side hustle ideas based on different interests:
Love writing? → Try freelance blogging, copywriting, or proofreading.
Creative? → Sell digital designs on Etsy, do graphic design, or start photography.
Tech-savvy? → Offer website building, coding, or social media management.
Good at a subject? → Tutor students online or in-person.
Entrepreneurial? → Flip second-hand clothes, sell handmade crafts, or start dropshipping.
The key is to find a niche that aligns with your skills while also being profitable.
2. Research Market Demand
Once you have identified your passions and skills, research the demand for this field.
This can help you get an idea of the opportunities offered in the sector you want to pursue.
Here’s how:
Job boards – Check Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour for freelance opportunities.
Google Trends – Search your idea to see if interest is increasing or declining.
Social media groups – Join Facebook, LinkedIn, or Reddit communities to see if people are looking for services you can offer.
Competitor research – Look at similar freelancers or businesses to see how they price their work and what services they offer.
Understanding the demand will help you refine your idea and price your services competitively.
Ultimately, understanding the demand of your chosen side hustle will increase your chances of success.
3. Make A Side Hustle Plan
Though you may be excited about this new venture, don’t delve in head first! First, it’s important to set clear goals and establish your priorities.
This will involve determining how much time you can allocate to your side hustle per week. It will also mean outlining things like your target audience, hourly fee and marketing strategy.
E.g
How many hours per week can you realistically commit?
How much do you want to earn? (Set a target income per month.)
Who is your target audience or customer base?
What platforms will you use to promote yourself?
You may also want to set some other goals for yourself like how much you want to earn per week. This can help to keep you motivated and focused.
For example, if you’re starting a tutoring side hustle:
Time Commitment: 5-10 hours a week
Earning Goal: £200-£500 per month
Target Audience: School or university students
Promotion Strategy: Advertise on Instagram, university forums, and tutoring platforms like MyTutor
4. Build An Online Presence
In today’s digital age, an online presence is crucial for most jobs. This could mean setting up a website or just advertising yourself on social media.
For freelancers: Set up a LinkedIn profile, create a portfolio on Behance or Dribbble (for designers), and join job platforms like Prograd, Fiverr and Upwork.
For product-based side hustles: Sell on Etsy, Redbubble, or Shopify, and promote on Instagram or TikTok.
For service-based hustles: Create a simple website with Wix or WordPress to showcase your services and testimonials.
If you don’t want to build a full website, even a well-designed Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn profile can be enough to get started.
How Can I Successfully Run A Side Hustle At University?
Once you have your side hustle up and running, you might be wondering how you maintain it. There’s no point getting the ball rolling if you don’t nurture your business properly.
1. Master Time Management
University life can be hectic, so schedule your side hustle work around lectures, deadlines, and social time. Use:
Google Calendar – Block out specific work hours.
Notion or Trello – Organise projects and tasks.
Pomodoro technique – Work in 25-minute focused bursts to stay productive.
2. Adapt & Keep Learning
Unlike a regular job, a side hustle evolves over time. Keep up with industry trends, take online courses, and ask for feedback to improve your services.
Some free resources to level up:
Google Digital Garage (marketing & business skills)
Coursera & Udemy (freelancing & entrepreneurship)
Reddit & Twitter threads (real-world insights from other hustlers)
The more you grow, the more profitable your side hustle can become.
3. Watch Out for Common Pitfalls
Many students struggle with side hustles due to these mistakes:
Undercharging – Research rates so you don’t work for pennies.
Overcommitting – Don’t let work ruin your studies or social life.
Not tracking finances – Keep records of income for taxes (yes, even students might have to declare earnings!).
Falling for scams – Be careful of unpaid internships or shady "opportunities" asking for upfront payments.
Starting Your University Side-Hustle
The great thing about building a side hustle is how rewarding it can be. As a student, it could become a fulfilling part of your university experience.
How to Get Started Today:
List three skills or interests you could monetise.
Research demand to see if people are willing to pay for them.
Make a simple plan with clear income and time goals.
Start promoting yourself and finding clients!
If you’re serious about saving, budgeting, or growing your income, check out Prograd—a platform with 100s of side-hustles ready for you!
