Part-Time Jobs for Students in Exeter: Your Complete 2025 Guide

Here is the thing about part-time work in Exeter. It's not impossible, but you're definitely competing with thousands of other students who all want the same flexible, well-paid positions that actually fit around lectures. Finding the right student accommodation in Exeter can also significantly impact your commute and access to these jobs, so it’s worth considering its proximity to potential workplaces.

Here's what most students get wrong, though. They all apply to the exact same places - usually whatever's closest to campus or the first thing that pops up on Indeed. Meanwhile, there are loads of decent opportunities sitting right under their noses.

The city of Exeter basically runs on three things: the university, tourism, and local business. Each one offers different perks. University jobs get your timetable. Tourism pays more during peak seasons. Local businesses often develop proper relationships with students whom they trust. This blog is all about part-time jobs in Exeter—be it university jobs or private employment. This blog covers everything! 

TL;DR - Quick Job Search Summary

• You're looking at £8-15 hourly across most sectors in Exeter. 
• Hospitality's your best bet for flexibility - there are literally 200+ venues always hiring. 
• Retail goes mad during Christmas (apply in September!). 
• Tutoring can hit £25 per hour if you're good. 
• The university has its own job portal called Handshake. Don't sleep on Christmas temp work.

What Exeter's Job Market Actually Looks Like

The Reality Right Now

Post-COVID really shook things up around here. Loads of hospitality places are still desperate for staff, which actually works in students' favour. Employers got more flexible because they had to be.

The minimum wage hit £11.44 for over-21s this April. Most student positions sit around £8-12 hourly, though hospitality often adds tips that bump things up nicely. Some specialized roles like tutoring can reach £20+ if you know what you're doing.

Competition changes massively depending on when you're looking. September's mental - everyone's hunting for work. January's actually better because Christmas temps leave and budgets reset. Summer opens up loads of full-time opportunities if you're sticking around. 

For this, you must know about the city very well—when are the holidays, where the job opportunities are and how the transport system works. You'll find everything you need to know about the city in the comprehensive city guide for students in Exeter. 

Legal Stuff You Can’t Ignore

UK and EU students can work as much as they want technically. Most employers prefer 16-20 hours weekly though - keeps things simple for everyone.

International students get 20 hours during term time, unlimited during holidays. Don't mess about with this. Immigration doesn't joke around with visa violations.

Tax kicks in once you earn over £12,570 yearly. Most part-time students never hit this, but if you do, expect a 20% tax on anything above that threshold.

Where the Money Actually Is

Jobs That Pay Properly

University-Based Options

Student Campus Partnership staff pay £10-12 hourly and actually understand you have lectures. These include admin work, research help, student mentoring—basically anything the uni needs extra hands for.

Student Ambassador roles pay £11-15 for representing the university on open days. You need to be genuinely enthusiastic about Exeter though. They can spot fake enthusiasm from miles away.

Library work pays £9-11 and often lets you study during quiet periods. Perfect if you prefer working alone and hate dealing with difficult customers. For more study spots, check out the various libraries in Exeter.

Sports centre jobs pay £9-12 for maintaining equipment and facilities. Great if you're into fitness or studying something sports-related.

Hospitality - Where Most Students End Up

Restaurants and Bars

Exeter's got over 200 restaurants, bars, and cafes in the city centre alone. Turnover's pretty high, which means there's always something opening up.

Chain places like Pizza Express, Nando’s, and Ask Italian offer proper training and usually pay £9-11 plus tips. Scheduling varies massively depending on management, though. If you're looking for the best restaurants in Exeter to work at, consider both chains and independent spots.

Independent restaurants often have better tips but can be less predictable with hours. Places like The Rusty Bike, The Hourglass, and Turtle Bay regularly hire students.

Pub work suits you if you're naturally chatty and don't mind drunk people. Wetherspoons hires loads of students with decent flexibility. Independent pubs like The Imperial and The Phoenix prefer students who actually understand their regulars. For social life, exploring the clubs and nightlife in Exeter might give you an idea of popular spots.

Coffee and Cafe Work

Campus coffee shops understand student life better than anywhere else. Forum Cafe and the various campus outlets regularly need people for 8-15 hours weekly.

High street chains (Costa, Starbucks, Cafe Nero) offer consistent training and pay scales. Expect £8.50-10 hourly with some tips.

Independent places throughout Exeter often work out better deals if they like you. Boston Tea Party and The Conservatory Cafe develop actual relationships with reliable students.

Kitchen Work

Kitchen porter jobs need zero experience and pay £8-10 hourly for washing dishes and basic prep. Not glamorous, but it gets your foot in the door.

Prep cook roles pay £9-12 once you know what you're doing. Loads of places promote reliable kitchen porters within a few months.

Delivery driving works if you've got a bike or a car. Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and just Eat let you work whenever you want. Earnings hit £8-15 hourly, depending on tips and how fast you are.

Retail Opportunities

Big Name Employers

John Lewis Partnership actively recruits students and actually means it about flexibility. Great training, employee discounts, and genuine schedule accommodation around exams. Starts at £10-11 hourly.

Next hires heavily for their Exeter store, especially during sales. Good training and often keeps students on during holidays.

Marks & Spencer Food Hall takes students for evenings and weekends. Less stressful than fashion retail, plus staff discounts help with food shopping.

Primark offers loads of positions but with less flexibility. Still, they hire lots of students and provide solid retail experience.

Independent Shops

Gandy Street boutiques often prefer students who are up-to-date with current trends. Might pay slightly less, but usually a more relaxed working environment.

Exeter's covered market has loads of small retailers who appreciate reliable help. Pay varies, but you often learn proper traditional retail skills.

Sports shops like JD Sports and Size? Particularly value students who understand what their customers want. Commission opportunities can boost earnings significantly.

Seasonal Gold Mines

Christmas temp positions open in September for November starts. Amazon warehouse, Post Office, and gift wrapping services all go mad for staff.

The summer tourist season creates opportunities in souvenir shops and tourist-focused retail from May through September.

Back-to-school periods see increased demand in stationery, tech, and clothing aimed at students.

University Schemes and Academic Work

Official University Positions

Handshake is the university's job platform. You get access with your student login. Most campus jobs appear here first. For information on top universities in Exeter, you'll likely find more details on their official job boards.

Student Campus Partnership schemes offer research assistant roles, admin support, and project management. These look brilliant on CVs and usually pay £10-12 hourly.

Student mentoring programs pay £11-14 for supporting first-year or students from similar backgrounds. They are particularly good if you're from an underrepresented group.

Open-day marshals earn £11-15 for weekend work during prospective student visits. They involve giving tours and answering questions about student life.

Tutoring and Academic Support

Private tutoring offers the highest rates for student work. GCSE tutoring pays £12-18 hourly, and A-level subjects command £15-25.

Online platforms like MyTutor and Tutorful allow flexible scheduling. They need strong subject knowledge and decent teaching ability though.

University tutoring schemes coordinate peer support for struggling students. They usually pay £10-15 hourly and look excellent on CVs.

Language exchange programs pay £12-20 hourly for native speakers helping international students with English.

Creative and Digital Stuff

Content and Social Media

Social media management for local businesses suits marketing or communications students. It rates vary from £10-20 hourly, depending on experience and results.

Photography work includes events, portraits, and commercial projects. Students with decent equipment can earn £15-30 hourly for weekend work.

Graphic design projects offer flexible scheduling and good pay for skilled students. Local businesses constantly need logos, flyers, and social media graphics.

Writing and editing opportunities exist with local publications and businesses. Pay ranges from £12 to 25 hourly for quality work.

Technical Work

Computer repair targeting students and staff can be quite lucrative. Loads of students have no technical knowledge and pay well for simple fixes.

Website development for small businesses offers excellent experience and £20-40 hourly rates if you know what you're doing.

Data entry provides a steady income at £8-12 hourly, though it's pretty mind-numbing. Local businesses often need help digitizing old records.

Care Work and Support

Childcare Options

Babysitting through word-of-mouth pays £8-15 hourly. University staff and local professionals often want reliable student babysitters.

After-school clubs employ students for 3-6 pm shifts during term. They usually pay £9-12 hourly.

Holiday play schemes offer intensive work during uni vacations. They often pay £10-14 hourly for full-day positions.

Nanny positions suit students with childcare experience but require proper time commitments. Families typically pay £12-18 hourly for regular care.

Elderly and Disability Support

Care assistant roles require training but offer meaningful work and good pay at £10-14 hourly. Many agencies actively recruit students for flexible positions.

Companion services for elderly residents pay £9-12 hourly for non-medical support like shopping help and social interaction.

Support worker positions with disability charities often provide excellent experience for psychology, social work, or healthcare students.

Seasonal and Event Work

Christmas and Holiday Employment

Retail seasonal positions typically open in September for November starts. Amazon fulfilment, Royal Mail temp staff, and gift wrapping services all hire heavily. 

Event catering increases dramatically during December. Companies like Baxterstorey and Aramark hire students for corporate Christmas parties and events.

Santa's Grotto and Christmas market positions offer fun seasonal work. One of the amazing facts about Exeter is that this Christmas market attracts 60,000 visitors per year. To help with the sale, the shop owners here employ students for setup, sales, and customer service.

However, do remember your safety is important. While working late on holiday, a safety guide for students in Exeter will definitely help you. 

Summer Opportunities

Festival work throughout Devon provides intensive short-term employment. Events like Boardmasters and smaller local festivals hire students for security, catering, and logistics.

Tourism sector positions include tour guides, hotel staff, and attraction workers. Exeter's historic sites employ students as guides and visitor assistants. Historic sites and top museums in Exeter often employ students as guides and visitor assistants.

Outdoor activity companies hire students for adventure tourism, especially those with relevant qualifications or outdoorsy interests. For a broader view of leisure, consider the many things to do in Exeter.

Language school support for international students visiting during the summer. Often includes social activities, coordination and admin support.

How to Actually Get These Jobs

CV Tips That Work

Highlight transferable skills rather than obsessing over limited work experience. Customer service through volunteering, leadership through sports, and reliability through academic achievement - all matter to employers.

Customize each application instead of sending the same generic CV everywhere. Research each employer and mention specific things that attract you to their business.

Include your availability clearly - preferred hours, days, and any restrictions. Employers appreciate upfront honesty about scheduling limitations.

Get a professional email address. 

Interview Preparation

Research the employer properly - their values, recent news, and customer base. Showing you know about their business impresses hiring managers way more than generic enthusiasm.

Prepare specific examples of reliability, problem-solving, and customer service. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

Have questions ready about training opportunities, advancement possibilities, and workplace culture. Shows genuine interest beyond just earning money.

Dress slightly better than the expected work attire, even for casual jobs.

Networking and Word-of-Mouth

University career fairs happen multiple times yearly and give direct access to employers actively seeking student workers.

Student societies and clubs in Exeter often have connections with local businesses that need part-time help. Join societies related to your interests or career goals.

Other students frequently know about job openings before they're advertised publicly. Maintain good relationships and share information about opportunities.

Keep your social media somewhat professional. Many employers check before hiring.

Balancing Work and Everything Else

Time Management Reality

Schedule planning becomes crucial when juggling lectures, studying, and work. Use digital calendars to visualize your weekly commitments properly.

Peak study periods like exam time might require reducing work hours. Discuss this possibility with employers during hiring.

Energy management matters as much as time management. Don't schedule demanding shifts before important lectures or assignments.

Never compromise sleep for part-time work. Chronic sleep deprivation kills both academic performance and work quality.

Communicating with Employers

Give advance notice for schedule changes. Shows professionalism and helps maintain good relationships. Most employers accommodate reasonable requests with enough warning.

Discuss exam periods during hiring and negotiate reduced hours during crucial times.

Communicate holiday plans early, especially for popular periods like Christmas and Easter.

Ask for performance feedback regularly. Shows initiative and helps improve your work skills.

International Student Specifics

Visa Compliance

20-hour weekly limit during term includes ALL employment, not just individual jobs. Track total hours across multiple positions carefully.

University vacation periods lift the restriction completely. Check your academic calendar for official vacation dates.

Visa violations carry serious consequences, including deportation and future visa refusals. When in doubt, consult International Student Support.

Employers must verify your right to work before you start.

Pro Tip: If you want to know more about Visa guidelines, you can refer to the UK Student Visa Guide, which covers every facet of possibilities. 

Tax and Financial Planning

Get the correct tax code to ensure proper deductions. Your employer should provide a P45 when you start.

You'll need a UK bank account for salary payments. Most employers can't pay into foreign accounts. Understanding the cost of living in Exeter is crucial for budgeting.

Student discounts often apply to international students and significantly reduce living costs.

Currency fluctuations affect international students sending money home. Consider timing transfers to maximize value.

In addition to this, knowing the banking system in the UK is also crucial. By referring to our comprehensive Exeter guide, you can understand how banks work and how visa applications are made. 

Building Useful Skills

What You Actually Learn

Customer service skills transfer to virtually every career. Even basic retail develops communication, problem-solving, and patience.

Leadership opportunities often arise faster in part-time work than in academic settings. Volunteer for training new staff or handling difficult situations.

Technical skills from specific roles enhance your CV significantly. Point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and basic accounting all prove valuable.

Industry knowledge acquired through work provides insights into potential career paths. Many students discover unexpected interests.

Building References

Consistent relationships with supervisors create valuable reference sources. Performance and professionalism matter more than perfection.

LinkedIn connections with colleagues and supervisors expand your professional network early.

Employee reviews provide concrete evidence of work skills for future employers.

Skill certifications from some employers enhance employability. Food safety certificates, first aid training, and customer service qualifications all add value.

Where to Actually Look

Essential Platforms

Handshake serves as Exeter University's primary job board. Requires university credentials and lists campus-specific opportunities first.

Indeed UK aggregates listings from multiple sources. Set up email alerts for "student jobs Exeter" to receive new postings immediately.

StudentJob.co.uk specializes in part-time positions suitable for students. Their Exeter section updates regularly.

Reed.co.uk often lists temporary and contract positions ideal for student schedules.

Local Strategies

Walking applications still work effectively in Exeter's city centre. Bring CVs and ask to speak with managers during quieter periods.

University notice boards in buildings like the Forum sometimes advertise local opportunities not posted online.

Student Facebook groups frequently share job opportunities and provide insider information about employers.

Local newspapers like Express & Echo occasionally advertise part-time positions, especially for established local businesses.

Timing Applications

September sees heavy competition as students return. Apply early or wait until October when initial enthusiasm fades.

January opportunities arise as Christmas temps leave and budgets reset. Many employers begin hiring for the spring term.

Summer planning should begin in March for vacation employment. Popular summer jobs receive applications months ahead.

Rolling applications to large employers throughout the year maintain visibility and show persistence.

Employers Worth Targeting

Local Standouts

The Ivy Exeter offers excellent training and flexible scheduling for hospitality students. Their reputation attracts quality staff and provides valuable experience.

Waterfront Antiques Centre employs students who appreciate unique working environments with an understanding of management.

Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre provides opportunities for students interested in creative industries while maintaining student-friendly policies.

Independent coffee shops throughout the city often develop close relationships with student workers and offer progression opportunities. For choosing the best areas to live in Exeter for job hunting, consider these local hotspots.

University-Adjacent Options

Campus accommodation services regularly need student staff who understand resident needs and can work flexible hours around studies. There are also lots of options for affordable student accommodation in Exeter near these universities. 

Student union venues provide a hospitality experience in environments designed around student schedules.

University catering through companies like Compass Group offers multiple campus locations with a comprehensive understanding of student availability.

Campus retail, including bookshops and convenience stores,  prioritise hiring students who understand customer needs.

The top 5 student accommodation in Exeter from where students can easily commute to their job locations:

• Cricket Field Court
• Hill View Place
• King Edwards Studios
• The Northfield
• Exeter One

Making More Money

Strategic Choices

Tip-based positions in busy restaurants and bars often provide higher actual earnings than posted hourly rates. Weekend shifts typically generate more tips.

Commission opportunities in retail, particularly electronics and fashion, can significantly boost earnings for natural salespeople.

If you want high-position jobs, skills are required. You must gain knowledge regarding specific subjects. For higher wages, you must have the training command. Also, you must learn to develop marketable skills.

Think of multiple income sources. You can mix different types of work and try to increase total earnings. Also, you must have a very detailed monthly budget to manage your expenses. You can take the help of money-saving tips for students in Exeter for strategic money planning. 

Money Management

Track expenses to understand whether work provides a genuine financial benefit after transport, food, and other work-related costs. Travel expenses contribute significantly and hence, referring to the transport guide for students in Exeter is beneficial. 

Optimize tax to avoid overpaying through incorrect codes or failing to claim legitimate expenses.

Set savings goals to motivate consistent work and provide financial security for exam periods.

Build emergency funds through part-time earnings for peace of mind and reduced financial stress during studies.

Everyone Mistakes Makes

Application Errors

Generic applications fail among numerous student applicants. Customize each application to the specific employer and role.

Overcommitting to work hours often leads to academic problems and workplace performance issues. You must know about your capacity. Overriding it might not solve any problem. Keep it within the limit always.

Moreover, you must read the employment contracts between the lines. Adhere to the terms and conditions.

Poor communication about availability changes damages relationships and affects references.

Workplace Issues

Confusing academic priorities leads to conflicts between work and study. Always prioritize education.

Getting involved in workplace drama creates lasting problems in Exeter's relatively small employment market.

Consistently attend your work. If not, you may seem unreliable and it might give the wrong impression. This negative feedback can affect employee reputation. 

Neglecting skill development wastes opportunities to build valuable experience alongside earning income.

Planning Your Journey

First Year Approach

Focus on flexibility while adjusting to university life. Choose positions with understanding managers and minimal hour commitments initially.

University-based roles often provide the most flexibility for first-year students still adapting to academic demands.

Build relationships with employers during the first year to create opportunities for increased hours and responsibility later.

Assess your strengths and interests for more targeted job searching in subsequent years.

Moving Forward

Part-time jobs are the foundation for great careers for students. They not only provide extra money but also give the required skills to students. Reliable student employees are always rewarded. Many of them can also get higher roles such as supervisor or trainer. Part-time jobs also give the opportunity to establish industrial connections. They can give job opportunities after graduation. Also, students have chances to test their interests by exploring diverse part-time jobs. Exeter's got opportunities for everyone - you just need to know where to look and how to present yourself properly.

Don't stress too much about getting the "perfect" student job. Sometimes the unexpected opportunities teach you the most about what you actually want to do with your life.