Side Hustle Ideas for Students in Birmingham
Looking to make a little extra on the side? Loans and grants only stretch so far and there’s always something eating into your budget, whether it’s books, food, bus fares or nights out. That’s why we’ve come up with some super side hustles that anyone can do and some can even be done from the comfort of your student accommodation in Birmingham. From pet sitting to selling your stuff, here are some great ways to boost your finances.
Become a tutor
Are you a grandmaster on the guitar? Can you make understanding Pi as easy as pie? If so, becoming a tutor can be one of the most reliable ways to make a little extra cash.
You should only tutor in the subjects that you are genuinely confident in. This will probably be your degree subject or any A levels in which you achieved strong grades. But don’t forget about your passions and hobbies too. Whether it’s music, dance or drawing, if you have a skill or talent, there will always be someone who would love to learn it from you.
It’s a good idea to pay for a DBS check (from £21.50) if you’re tutoring under 18s. While it’s not a legal requirement, you’ll be more likely to get work if you have it in place.
When it comes to finding work, a great place to start is within your own social circle. Do any of your friends have younger siblings who are studying for GCSEs or A levels, or can your parents put the word out among their friends? You could advertise your services in local Facebook groups or get a few posters printed up to display in local businesses. You can also sign up with an agency, but bear in mind that you’ll have to pay them a percentage of your earnings.
Potential earnings: £20-£100+ an hour, depending on your qualifications, experience and expertise
Sell your stuff
The massive rise of apps like Vinted and Depop have caused prices for secondhand items to drop slightly but there’s still money to be made from flogging the stuff that you no longer want or need. And it’s a really flexible way of earning money as you’re not committed to any hours. Just do it whenever you have a spare moment and all without leaving true student accommodation Birmingham.
It does pay, however, to spend a little bit of time on your listings to make them look as appealing as possible and stand out from the crowd. That means photographing them in a good light, providing detailed descriptions, measurements and any flaws or defects. Get savvy too on the hashtags that buyers search for, with #y2K, #vintage, #90sfashion and #sustainable fashion currently in demand.
Potential earnings: Depends on brand and condition, but for example, you could receive £5 for a Zara top and £70 for a The North Face jacket.
Offer pet care
If you prefer four-legged friends to actual people, pet care might be your purrrfect side hustle. Plenty of owners need someone reliable to walk their dogs or feed their cats while they’re at work or away, plus some are happy to pay for overnight sitting in their house, too.
You don’t need to have any qualifications to become a pet sitter or dog walker, but a love of animals is obviously essential, as is some experience of owning or taking care of pets.
There are loads of different websites that match pet sitters and dog walkers with pet owners. Alternatively, advertise your services in local social media groups or put signs up in local businesses.
When speaking to potential clients, make sure you ask them as much as possible about their pets, such as temperament, behavioural traits and essential commands, so that you’re fully prepared when you’re taking care of their beloved fur babies.
Potential earnings: £10-£25 per hour
Become a mystery shopper
If you love to shop, getting paid to do it might seem like a dream job. Being a mystery shopper entails posing as a real customer to evaluate a company’s customer service, quality, standards and overall customer experience. Sometimes it’s just popping into a shop to take a picture of a particular product or store display. Other times, you might be required to do a full shop and report back on your experience. You get to keep the products you buy and it’s a great way to get to know Birmingham too!
You’ll need to sign up to mystery shopper apps and agencies to get work. Make sure you provide all the information the company asks for in the assignment; a job well done means they’re more likely to employ you again.
You’ll need sharp observational skills, plus you’ll learn analytical, writing and communication skills along the way, making it a great addition to your CV.
Potential earnings: From around £2 for quick tasks, such as taking photos, up to £50 for more complex assignments.
Join focus groups
Are you the one in your friend group who always has something to say? Whether it’s about a new film, an influencer’s latest story or an SU event, some people are just full of opinions and love to share them. If that’s you, then you might as well get paid for it! Market research companies are always looking for people to take part in their focus groups to garner opinions on things like mobile phones, video games and even chocolate spread. They pay a flat fee and if they’re in person, you generally get provided with lunch or at least refreshments.
Sign up to as many agencies as possible (avoid ones that request a fee to join) and keep an eye on your emails as these jobs get snapped up fast! Don’t be discouraged if you miss out on some; each company will have different participant criteria. There’s a limit to the number of groups you can participate in each year, but you can still earn a decent amount of money.
Focus groups can be held in person or remotely via telephone or video call and even WhatsApp. Whichever medium it is, make sure that you pay attention and offer your opinions; if the agency likes you, they’re likely to offer you repeat opportunities.
Potential earnings: From £10 to £100+, depending on length.
Side hustles are a great way to take pressure off your squeezed student budget. Our luxury student accommodation helps to keep your finances straight too. Bills. Wi-Fi and contents insurance are all included in your rent payments, we don’t ask for a deposit and we offer flexible payment plans as well. Not to mention that true student accommodation Birmingham has a gym, cinema room, garden area and festival zones, making staying social and having fun a lot cheaper as you have everything you need right there! Take a look to find out more: true student Birmingham