Part-Time Jobs Around Durham University

International students at Durham University can explore part-time work in the city, on campus and in nearby areas such as Newcastle. Durham is smaller than London or Manchester, so students should start early and be flexible about job type, location and working hours.

Students on a UK Student visa must follow their visa work conditions. During term time, many degree-level students are limited to up to 20 hours per week, while full-time work may be allowed during official vacations. Students should always check their visa, BRP or eVisa conditions and university guidance before accepting work.

Common Part-Time Job Options

Job type	Where students may find it	Why it can help
Retail assistant	Shops, supermarkets and city-centre stores	Builds customer service, teamwork and communication skills
Cafe or restaurant staff	Cafes, restaurants, takeaways and hotels	Flexible shifts and useful UK workplace experience
Bar or event staff	College events, venues, hotels and hospitality agencies	Good for evening or weekend work, subject to age and licence rules
Student ambassador	University departments, open days and events	Strong CV experience and campus-friendly work
Library or admin assistant	University services, departments and local offices	Helps build organisation and office skills
Tutoring or academic support	Private tutoring, peer support or subject help roles	Useful for students with strong academic skills
Care or support work	Local care providers and community organisations	Can suit students interested in health, psychology or social care
Warehouse or delivery support	Local businesses and regional employers	May offer weekend or vacation shifts
Volunteering	Colleges, charities and community groups	Builds UK experience even when paid work is competitive

Where To Search

Students can search for part-time work through:

• Durham University careers and vacancies resources
• College noticeboards and internal opportunities
• Students' Union and society networks
• Local shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels
• Online job boards
• Recruitment agencies for hospitality and events
• Nearby cities such as Newcastle, if travel time is manageable

The university's Careers & Enterprise Centre can help students understand CVs, applications and interviews. International students should use this support early because UK part-time job applications can be more competitive at the start of term.

On-Campus Work

On-campus work is often attractive because it fits better around lectures, labs and college life. Roles may include student ambassador work, event support, department admin, research assistance, library support, mentoring or casual university jobs.

These roles can be competitive, so students should prepare a short UK-style CV before arriving and apply as soon as suitable roles open.

Jobs In Durham City

Durham has demand in hospitality, tourism, retail, food service and events, especially during busy university periods and visitor seasons. Students may find work in:

• Cafes and restaurants
• Hotels and guest houses
• Supermarkets and convenience stores
• Retail shops
• Event venues
• Tourism-related businesses
• Local offices and service businesses

Because Durham is a smaller city, students should not depend on finding one specific job type. A flexible approach is more practical.

Nearby Work Options

Newcastle is close by train and can offer more opportunities in retail, hospitality, offices, events, customer service, technology and professional services. Students considering work outside Durham should calculate travel cost, late-night transport, safety and whether shifts fit around academic commitments.

Practical Advice For International Students

Before applying for part-time jobs, students should:

• Prepare a UK-style one-page CV
• Get a National Insurance number if required
• Open a UK bank account
• Keep evidence of term dates and visa work conditions
• Avoid cash-in-hand work that does not follow UK rules
• Check whether the role conflicts with visa conditions
• Protect study time during assessment periods
• Use university careers support for applications

Best Approach For September 2026 Students

Students arriving for the September 2026 intake should focus first on enrolment, college induction, timetable setup and settling in. After that, they can start applying for campus roles, hospitality work, retail shifts, ambassador jobs and volunteering.

The best part-time job is not always the highest-paid role. For international students, a good role should be legal, manageable with studies, safe to travel to and useful for building communication, confidence and employability.