Working Part-Time to Support Your Budget
Working part-time as a student can be a great way to supplement your income and help manage your expenses. However, it's essential to strike the right balance between work, studies, and personal time. Experts recommend limiting part-time work to a maximum of 15 hours per week to ensure you have enough time for rest, study, and recreation.
Things to Keep in Mind
- SUSI Grant: Be mindful that working significant hours might impact your household income, which could affect your eligibility for a SUSI grant. To learn more about how summer earnings affect your SUSI grant, visit this page on Summer Earnings.
- Support Available: Our Careers Development Centre can assist with your CV and prepare you for part-time or summer work opportunities.
Further Reading
For more advice on balancing work and study, check out these useful articles:
Harvard Business School: How to Balance Work and School: 7 Strategies
Times Higher Education: How to Juggle University with Part-Time Work
Bright Network: How to Balance University with Working Part-Time
Top Tips for Smart Student Budgeting
- Apply for all the financial support you are eligible for
- Being organised will save money
- Cook meals and prepare lunch at home to bring to college, there are microwaves on campus to heat up meals.
- Use reusable water bottle, topping up throughout the day
- If you like a sweet treat or packet of crisps, buy a multi pack in the supermarket, bringing one into college each day
- Use 2nd hand and vintage shops. Using online platforms also to buy, sell and swap clothes
- Use public transport, walk or cycle
- Know your discounts, use your student card, and leap card for money off purchases.
- Join clubs and societies for free and discounted events and trips.
- Attending university and Student Union events which are free, often these events have free food!