Leeds is an extremely popular city for students and ranks 53rd among the best student cities worldwide as of 2024, according to QS’s rankings of student cities in 2024. The city is known for its rich history and unique charm, as well as its prestigious universities, which include the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.
Despite Leeds being much cheaper than London, it is still costly for many students, which is why many opt for a student job while studying. Saving money can also allow you to find the perfect student accommodation Leeds, ensuring maximum comfort while studying. In the following sections, we’ll detail what you need to know before working in Leeds, along with some of the best jobs for students in the city and the tips, tricks, and benefits of studying as a student.
Considerations Before Applying to a Job
Before applying for a job, you must be aware of restrictions for students in the UK, especially those studying on a Tier 4 visa. Some of the requirements include the following:
Maximum Working Hours
- Students enrolled in full-time programmes at a degree level or above can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the term. Work can include paid or unpaid work.
- Students at the degree level can work a maximum of 10 hours per week during the term.
- Students can work unlimited hours during vacation periods.
Other Restrictions
- The student visa does not allow students to be self-employed or run a business.
- Work placement: Work placements (part of your course requirement) are permitted but should not exceed 50% of the course length.
- Student Union Roles: You can hold an officer position at a student union for up to two years.
General Considerations
- You must ensure that your visa is valid and that your work does not violate any visa conditions.
- You cannot take a permanent position or become a professional athlete or entertainer.
For more information on visa work requirements and limitations, check out UK Visas and Immigration and UKCISA (International Student Advice). Once you have checked all of the requirements comes the fun part, and that’s the answer to our main question, “What are the most popular jobs for university students in Leeds?”.
Most Popular Jobs for University Students in Leeds
Now comes the fun part, and that’s exploring what the most popular student jobs in Leeds are. In the following sections, we’ll explore the most popular jobs in general as well as industry-specific options.
General Popularity
If you’re wondering what the most popular jobs for students are in Leeds in general, then the following are the most popular:
- Customer Service: This field can offer flexible hours as well as setting work around your studies. Students can typically find customer service jobs in the fields of hospitality, retail, or even a call centre.
- Online Marketing Jobs: Nowadays, e-commerce is on the rise, and this has created a high demand for social media and digital marketing skills. This line of work can allow for remote, part-time, or flexible work.
- Admin Jobs: Admin jobs provide valuable experience in an organisation as well as communication. Administrative roles revolve around scheduling, data entry, and bookkeeping.
Industry-Specific Options:
- The University Itself: Both Leeds University and Leeds Beckett advertise student support positions, support roles, and event coordination positions.
- Retail: Leeds has a very rich retail scene, with the city having various malls and shops, many of which offer part-time positions.
- Hospitality and Events: Retail is not the only popular field in the city of Leeds, as hospitality is another prominent sector in the city. Hospitality jobs can be found in restaurants and cafes, many of which offer flexible hours for workers.
How to Find Jobs
Once you are set on which job you’d be comfortable pursuing, then comes the other part, which is searching for available jobs. There are various ways to find available student jobs, many of which will be detailed below:
Online Job Boards and Websites:
- General Job Boards: These websites include Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. There, you can find jobs across various industries. You can filter your search by location, job title, and desired company.
- Company Websites: Many companies advertise open positions directly on their careers page on their website.
- Industry-Specific Job Boards: Look for websites or platforms that cater to your field. These boards often provide targeted listings and connect you with industry-specific employers.
Leveraging Your Network:
- Professional Networking: Use platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. They might have job leads or be able to provide referrals within their network.
- Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in your desired career path to chat about their work. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to job openings.
Other Options:
- Recruitment Agencies: These agencies specialise in finding qualified candidates for open positions. Register with relevant recruitment agencies in your field.
- Job Fairs: Attending career fairs allows you to meet employers face-to-face, learn about job openings, and network with professionals.
- Internships and Temporary positions: Temporary positions or internships can provide valuable work
In general, studying while working has great advantages; it gives you professional work experience while studying, more money to spend while studying, and endless networking and growth opportunities.
These were some of the most popular jobs for students in the city of Leeds, things to know before applying for jobs in Leeds, and how to find jobs in Leeds. If you need any further information about studying in Leeds or are looking for accommodation for a student in Leeds, check out the helpful resources at Casita.com.
