If you are a student there are many part time jobs in Plymouth which will bring lots of benefits, both personal and financial. Not only will you have more disposable income, but there are also a whole host of other advantages. You will be able to:
- Build your employability skills
- Enhance your CV
- Gain transferable skills
- Build your network
- Gain valuable experience of being in the workplace
- Get a work-based reference when you apply for a grad-level job
Whether it’s a part-time job during your studies, a full-time role over the summer break, or a placement year there are lots of opportunities to find work whilst you study at Plymouth.
Use the Career Services at Plymouth’s Universities
The Careers services at the University of Plymouth, Marjons and the Arts University Plymouth offer advice on and advertise part-time and temporary jobs. Check out the links here:
- University of Plymouth Careers Service
- Plymouth Marjon University Developmental Opportunities
- Arts University Plymouth Careers & Enterprise Services
Jobs at the University of Plymouth
If you are looking for part time jobs in Plymouth, and you are a student, then your university is a great place to start looking for vacancies.
Hundreds of students are employed on the University of Plymouth campus yearly in a range of roles that can fit around your studies. You can apply to be a Student Ambassador to support the University during events and access further opportunities to get involved with the University departments. Learn more about Student Ambassadors and how to apply here.
The jobs board on myCareer will allow you to browse and apply for a range of campus roles such as administrative support, helpdesk, information roles, IT, peer-to-peer support, hospitality, retail, reception and many more.
Further opportunities on campus, advertised exclusively to staff and students, can be found on the Work for University of Plymouth webpage. The Students’ Union also employs students in part-time employment every year in roles such as retail, hospitality and catering – search current UPSU vacancies.
Find a student job online
Here are some online job boards to help you get started on your search for your perfect student job in Plymouth:
- https://uk.indeed.com/ – browse a huge range of jobs, including temporary or part-time jobs, by location, and subscribe to be notified of new jobs in Plymouth
- https://www.jobsite.co.uk/ – at the time of writing, Jobsite had over 700 part-time and 400 temp jobs in the Plymouth area
- https://www.totaljobs.com/ – it’s also easy to find a student job on Totaljobs, with a huge range of part-time and temping jobs local to Plymouth
- https://www.drakecircus.com/jobs – this much-loved hotspot for shopping in Plymouth has a jobs page ideal for students looking for work locally
- https://www.upsu.com/jobs/ – if you are at the university, working for the UPSU – the University of Plymouth Student Union – can be a great option, so check here for any student vacancies.
Balancing student social life with part‑time work
Plenty of our tenants combine Plymouth student jobs with regular nights out at Plymouth’s best music venues, and it is all about finding the right balance. Many part-time jobs in Plymouth are in hospitality and retail, so hours are often evenings and weekends, which can work well if you plan your social calendar and shifts in advance with your manager and housemates.
If you know you will be working late in the city centre, it can make sense to look for student accommodation in Plymouth within walking distance of the main bar and restaurant areas. That way you can finish a shift, meet friends at a gig or catch the end of a set, and still be home quickly without relying too heavily on taxis.
Where do students typically work in Plymouth?
When students ask us how to get a student job, we usually point them towards well‑known employers close to campus and the city centre. Big names on the high street, cafés on the Barbican and venues around Mutley Plain often advertise part-time jobs for students in windows or on their social channels, especially at the start of term and in the run‑up to Christmas and summer.
You will also see Plymouth University jobs for students, such as student ambassadors, library roles or campus bar shifts, which can be ideal if you prefer to stay close to lectures. These roles tend to be genuinely flexible jobs for students, with managers who understand exam timetables and placement blocks, so they are worth keeping an eye on via university careers pages.
How can I get a student job in Plymouth while studying full-time?
The easiest place to start is the University of Plymouth careers service and Students’ Union jobs board, which list on‑campus and local part‑time roles geared specifically towards students. As a lettings agent, I always tell tenants to line up a basic CV, register on sites like StudentJob and Reed, and set job alerts for “Plymouth student jobs” and “part‑time jobs Plymouth” before term starts. Aim for flexible roles in retail, hospitality or admin that sit within walking distance of your student house, so you’re not spending your wages on buses and taxis after late shifts.
What types of part‑time and weekend jobs are most popular for students in Plymouth?
Most students pick up weekend or evening shifts in Drake Circus shops, Barbican and city‑centre bars, cafés and restaurants, because these employers are used to working around lecture timetables. There are also on‑campus options such as student ambassador roles, library work and Students’ Union bar or events jobs, which fit neatly between seminars and group work. From a housing point of view, living near the city centre, Mutley Plain or close to campus makes it much easier to juggle these jobs with late finishes and early lectures.
Where should I live if I want student jobs in Plymouth city centre within easy reach?
Areas like the city centre, Greenbank and Mutley Plain put you within walking distance of most part‑time jobs in Plymouth’s shops, bars and cafés, as well as the university campus. As a local lettings agent, I often recommend these neighbourhoods to students who plan to work regular evening or weekend shifts, because you can get home safely without long night‑bus journeys. Being close to work also means you can say yes to extra hours in peak times like Christmas or the summer season, which is ideal if you’re trying to boost your savings.
Are there flexible or seasonal summer jobs in Plymouth that work well for students?
Plymouth’s coastal location means plenty of summer jobs in hospitality at the Barbican, Royal William Yard and along the waterfront, with extra shifts during tourist season. Many students also pick up short‑term retail contracts in Drake Circus or part‑time roles advertised on large job boards under “summer jobs Plymouth UK” and “part‑time jobs Plymouth.” If you’re staying in your tenancy over the summer, these jobs can comfortably cover rent and bills while giving you space for days on the Hoe or revision for resits.
What are the best ways to balance part‑time work and renting as a student in Plymouth?
Aim for roles offering 10–16 hours per week in term time, which is what many Plymouth employers already expect from student workers in retail, hospitality and on‑campus jobs. When we talk to tenants about affordability, we usually suggest choosing housing within walking distance of your main work area so you can reliably make early or late shifts without extra travel costs. Use your job income to cover regular expenses like rent and utilities, then treat loan or grant money as your safety net, which keeps you in a stronger position when you renew your tenancy next year.
Getting a student job abroad
Now that travel has opened up again after the years of the COVID pandemic, working abroad can be a fantastic experience over the University summer break, allowing you to travel free and experience life and work in another country. Many tour operators and holiday companies need extra staff during the peak holiday season.
Check out BUNAC for opportunities in Australia and the USA: https://bunac.org/
Use your earnings to pay for the best Plymouth student accommodation
At Tudor Price Lettings we specialize in offering the very best student accommodation in Plymouth for you to rent during your studies – just browse the superb range of properties we have available on our website, and get in touch if you need any help finding what you need – we’d be happy to hear from you!
