I need a flexible job to work around my university course

I am a mature student who already has a degree. I have been told that because I only used 3 out of 4 years of financial support from Student Finance England, I am entitled to 1 more year of tution fees. However, this can only be used on my final year of my undergraduate degree - so I would have to pay for year 1 and 2 of my course. I have been told, however, that as I live alone, I will be entitled to the full amount of a maintenance loan for every year of study (roughly £10k per year):

Year 1:
Maintenance Loan (£10.2K)
Tuition Fee Loan: None

Year 2:
Maintenance Loan (£10.2K)
Tuition Fee Loan: None

Year 3:
Maintenance Loan (£10.2K)
Tution Fee Loan (£9.5K or 1 year tuition fee loan equivalent)

The maintenance loan is deposited into my bank account, so I can technically use it to pay for my tuition fees. However, I would still need finance to pay for my living costs (rent, bills, food and other).

As I will be studying, and I am not sure of the course schedule, I will need a job part-time that can work around me. I also need to earn at least 3 days minimum wage a week to pay for everything. Has anyone got any ideas? I thought about training as a Painter Decorator before September but the course is full, and apparently I wont learn enough to work in that trade anyway. Really looking for a job that works around my schedule or a freelance role that is actually going to pay me (I do a lot of creative freelance work and I don't earn enough to live off this).

Reply 1

Ereza_SOAS

Hi Emma,

I would suggest looking into part-time roles around your university. Becoming a Student Ambassador at universities often pays well and higher than restaurant and grocery store jobs. These jobs are often very flexible and you can pick up shifts depending on your availability and preference.

Also working in your university's shop or café is another good way to make money and avoid travel costs when commuting to and from a job. You could complete a shift on campus and then study so you are making the most out of your travel time to the campus. This may work well combined with your freelance work and may be able to total roughly 3 days worth of work per week.

You could also look into remote tutoring jobs, especially over the weekend, as these jobs tend to pay well with resources provided for you.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

emma1111111

Original post

by Ereza_SOAS

Hi Emma,
I would suggest looking into part-time roles around your university. Becoming a Student Ambassador at universities often pays well and higher than restaurant and grocery store jobs. These jobs are often very flexible and you can pick up shifts depending on your availability and preference.
Also working in your university's shop or café is another good way to make money and avoid travel costs when commuting to and from a job. You could complete a shift on campus and then study so you are making the most out of your travel time to the campus. This may work well combined with your freelance work and may be able to total roughly 3 days worth of work per week.
You could also look into remote tutoring jobs, especially over the weekend, as these jobs tend to pay well with resources provided for you.