15 Easy Ways for Students to Make Extra Money in the UK

Being a student in the UK means juggling lectures, deadlines… and a budget that’s often tighter than your timetable. But making extra money doesn’t have to mean taking on a full-time job or sacrificing your social life.

From cashback hacks to flexible side hustles, here are 15 realistic ways to top up your student income — all 100% legit and UK-friendly.

1. Get Paid to Shop with Cashback Apps

Cashback is one of the easiest ways to earn money on your usual spending. Whether it’s pizza, clothes or travel, sites like Custard give you cashback when you shop through their links.

🛍️ Custard is free to join, student-friendly, and works with loads of top brands like Boohoo, Domino’s and MyProtein.

2. Earn Rewards for Playing Mobile Games

Gaming to make money? Yes please. Custard’s Play & Earn section lets you earn real rewards by reaching certain levels in popular mobile games like Love Water or Puzzles & Conquest.

🎮 Great for breaks between lectures or winding down after a long study day.

3. Sell Old Clothes and Tech Online

If your wardrobe's overflowing or your drawers are full of unused gadgets, turn them into cash. Vinted, Depop and eBay are perfect for students to list second-hand items.

👕 No fees to start, and it’s eco-friendly too.

4. Take Part in Paid Online Surveys

Got an opinion? Get paid for it. Platforms like LifePoints, HeyCash, and Opinion Bureau pay you for sharing your views — and most of them are available directly through Custard.

🧠 Perfect for doing on your phone while commuting or between classes.

5. Use Student Discount + Cashback Together

Stacking discounts is the secret student superpower. Use UNiDAYS or TOTUM for your student discount, and combine it with cashback via Custard to double your savings.

💡 Example: 10% student discount at Boohoo + up to 5% cashback via Custard.

6. Refer Your Mates and Earn Together

Got friends who love free money too? Custard’s referral programme gives you rewards when someone signs up using your link — and they get a bonus too.

👫 It’s a win-win for your whole flat.

7. Get Paid for Notes or Tutoring

If you’re good at a subject, why not help others (and earn at the same time)? Try tutoring locally or online through sites like MyTutor, or sell study notes via Stuvia or Nexus Notes.

📚 Bonus: Teaching others is a great way to revise!

8. Do Freelance Gigs Between Seminars

If you’ve got skills — writing, editing, design, social media — sign up to Fiverr, Upwork or PeoplePerHour. Start small and build a freelance side hustle around your timetable.

💻 Remote and flexible, just how students like it.

9. Try Mystery Shopping for Free Food and Cash

Brands will pay you to act like a regular customer and give feedback. Sign up to mystery shopping platforms like Market Force or Serve Legal.

🍔 Sometimes you get reimbursed for meals or products too!

10. Offer Local Services to Earn Extra Cash

Got a bike? Do Deliveroo or Uber Eats in the evenings. Good with dogs? Offer pet-sitting on Rover. Handy with a hoover? Offer cleaning to local households.

🧼 You’ll be surprised what people are willing to pay for.

11. Scan Your Receipts for Cashback

Don’t throw receipts away — scan them with apps like Shoppix or ZipZero and get rewarded just for uploading. Combine this with Custard cashback and you’re stacking rewards.

📸 Easy to do and adds up over time.

12. Start a Micro-Hustle on Campus

Sell snacks, drinks, or event tickets. Offer to fix laptops, braid hair, or DJ at parties. Just keep it all above board and low cost to start.

🎉 There’s always demand for mini services on student campuses.

13. Join Paid Research Panels

Universities and market researchers are always looking for student input. These are often better paid than surveys, and sometimes involve in-person focus groups or interviews.

🧪 Great way to earn and be heard.

14. Flip Freebies into Profit

Look out for local Facebook Marketplace freebies, uni swaps or even campus giveaways. Clean, fix or bundle the items and resell.

📦 Bonus if you can collect and flip before the weekend rush.

15. Join a Trusted UK Cashback Platform (Like Custard)

We’ll say it again: if you’re not earning cashback while shopping, you’re missing out. Custard makes it easy for students to earn rewards on their normal spending — plus get paid to play games, take surveys and more.

🎓 It’s free, fast and designed for students who want to earn smarter.

Final Thought: Small Wins Add Up

You don’t need to take on a second job to survive student life. A mix of cashback, rewards, and small side hustles can go a long way — especially when you make a habit of it.

So why not get started today?
👉 Join Custard now and start earning