Working at Cambridge

Yes, it is true that when you start your studies there that you agree to not partake in any paid work. However, there are paid work opportunities, and there is a lot of financial support available to you. I have heard of people working alongside their studies at Cambridge.

Is it true that you can't work paid part time at Cambridge? Are there any exceptions to this rule, or could you get an online job?

Are these paid work opportunities regular? And how do they differ from usual work?

They specify that you should not work during term time, but it does not appear to be monitored or enforced, as many students do work, from the usual work in hospitality like bar or restaurant work, to tutoring, to anything else that students typically do at other unis. Some students even work for the Uni or their college, for events etc.

I'm not sure this is entirely accurate. A Cam student would be very foolish to try and get a retail/server job in the city where they would inevitably meet a Fellow they knew at some point. There are some roles available for students, usually within their own College, and usually one-off roles for an Open Day or specific event, not a regular weekly role for example. The Colleges are pretty supportive of the no working rule and have a wide variety of hardship funds students can access, just with a conversation with their Tutor DoS, the Senior Tutor, Bursar, College Nurse etc.

Tutoring and anything hidden/online can be done of course, but the general advice is ask for hardship funding if you have a financial problem.