Flexible opportunities to earn while you study.
Many Cranfield students choose to take on part-time work alongside their studies. Whether you want to gain professional experience, support your finances, or get more involved in campus life, there are a range of opportunities available both on and off campus.
Cranfield’s postgraduate programmes are intensive and fast-paced, so any work you take on should be flexible and carefully balanced with your academic commitments.
Part-time work can be a valuable way to build confidence, develop transferable skills, and enhance your employability while studying.
Working hours at Cranfield
To protect academic performance and wellbeing, all Cranfield students are permitted to work a maximum of 18 hours per week in total, across all paid roles combined. This applies to on‑campus and off‑campus work.
On campus part time roles
Cranfield offers a small number of flexible, paid opportunities that fit around postgraduate study:
- Student Ambassador role
Represent Cranfield, support prospective students, and share your experience through events, calls, and online chat. - View current Cranfield University vacancies here:
https://jobs.cranfield.ac.uk/
(Check campus vacancies regularly as roles are updated throughout the year.)
- Campus services casual roles
Limited opportunities in areas such as catering, library support, or administrative tasks. - Research or project assistant roles
Occasionally available within academic departments or research groups, depending on funding and project needs
These roles are competitive and often filled quickly, so students are encouraged to apply early.
Off campus part time roles
Many students also choose to work off campus in nearby towns such as Milton Keynes and Bedford, where there are a wide range of flexible roles available in retail, hospitality, logistics, customer service, and office support.
- SaveTheStudent Part-time student jobs - Save the Student
A dedicated job board that draws across from all major jobs sites across the UK that focuses on student friendly jobs. - YoungCapital Recruitment agency | Find jobs | Post jobs | YoungCapital UK
A student-focused platform offering part-time, temporary, and flexible roles. You can filter by hours, location, and job type to find roles that suit your schedule. - StudentJob UK Student Jobs, Part Time Jobs, Internship, Summer Jobs | StudentJob UK
Designed specifically for students, with roles in customer service, retail, promotions, hospitality, and office support.
When applying off campus, it’s always worth being upfront about your study commitments as many employers are happy to accommodate timetables, particularly for postgraduate students.
Most students use platforms such as Unitemps, Indeed, LinkedIn, and local job boards to find opportunities as well.
Balancing work with your studies
Cranfield courses are intensive and often include full‑day teaching blocks, group work, and project commitments. When considering part‑time work:
- Prioritise your academic timetable.
- Choose flexible or weekend‑based roles.
- Avoid roles with unpredictable or late‑night hours.
- Speak to your course team if you’re unsure how much time you can realistically commit.
Most students find that 8–12 hours per week is manageable, depending on their course.
Support for finding work
Cranfield provides several resources to help you secure part‑time roles:
- Careers and Employability Service
CV reviews, interview preparation, job‑search support. - Department networks
Some academic teams share research assistant or project opportunities internally.
International students
International students can work part‑time but must follow the conditions of their visa. This typically includes:
- Working within the 18‑hour weekly limit for all students.
- Ensuring work does not interfere with academic commitments.
- Avoiding roles that are not permitted under UKVI rules.
Students should always check their visa documentation or speak to the Student Immigration & Funding Team if unsure.
