11 Cool Ways on How to Make Money as a
University Student in South Africa
Making money as a university student is a must-have. That is because having extra cash while studying
can make your life on campus easier, and you’ll be able to afford stuff you couldn’t add to your budget due
to financial problems.
Here are some amazing ideas you can try to make money as a university student in South Africa and not
wait for your bursary allowance. Tips on how to make your side business a success are also included if
you're keen on giving these ideas a try.
While you're trying to make money on the side. Also, look at Tips for First-Year University Students in
South Africa if you're a first-year student as these might come in handy.
1. Online Course Note Marketplace
Develop a platform where students can upload and sell their well-organized, high-quality course notes.
This allows students to earn passive income from notes they've already taken while benefiting others who may have missed lectures or need additional resources for studying.
Example: Create a website where students can upload their detailed notes for popular courses like
economics, biology, or psychology. Charge a small access fee to each set of notes.
Make sure that the platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Implement features such as search
filters and user ratings to help students find the most helpful notes for their needs.
2. Student Task Assistance Service
Offer services such as grocery shopping, laundry pickup/drop-off, or errand running for fellow students
who are too busy with their studies to manage these tasks themselves. Set a small fee for each service or
offer subscription packages for regular customers.
Example: Launch a mobile app where students can request different tasks to be completed. Connect users
with a network of reliable task runners who are available to fulfill requests on-demand. Charge a fee for
each completed task.
3. Virtual Assistant for Lecturers
If you’re tech-savvy you can provide virtual assistant services to lecturers. Help them with tasks such as
grading assignments, managing emails, and organizing course materials.
This allows them to focus more on teaching and research while providing you with a flexible source of
income.
Example: Offer virtual assistant services to professors at your university, Create a website or online
platform where lecturers can submit tasks and hire virtual assistants on an as-needed basis. Charge an
hourly rate for your services and maintain fast, professional communication with clients.
4. Campus Tech Support
Another idea for tech-savvy individuals is to offer tech support services to students on campus, assisting
them with issues such as setting up printers, troubleshooting software problems, or recovering lost data.
You could offer in-person and remote assistance, charging a fee for your time and expertise.
Example: Set up a tech support booth on campus where students can drop off their devices for repair or
troubleshooting, etc. Promote your services through flyers, social media, and word-of-mouth referrals.
5. Study Group Facilitator
Do you have great organizational skills? Then use those to organize and facilitate study groups for
challenging courses or subjects where students can collaborate, review material, and prepare for exams
together.
Make money by charging a price for each study group session or offering package deals for regular
attendees.
Example: Reserve study rooms on campus or host virtual study sessions using video conferencing
software. Set up small payments for access to study group sessions, and provide resources such as study
guides and practice exams to improve the learning experience.
6. Resume and Cover Letter Writing Service
Utilize your writing skills to offer resume and cover letter writing services to students searching for part time jobs, internships, or graduate opportunities. Provide personalized assistance in crafting professional
documents that highlight their skills and experiences to increase their chances of employment.
Example: Create a website or platform where students can request professional resumes and cover letter
writing services from you. Offer packages that include resume writing, cover letter customization, and
LinkedIn profile optimization.
You can collect info about clients through an intake form or consultation call to tailor each document to
their unique skills and experiences.
Also, provide editable file formats and ongoing support for revisions or updates as needed. Spread the
word about your business on campus or online.
7. Social Media Management for Small Businesses
Another cool way of earning money as a university student in South Africa is by providing social media management services to local businesses. Or even student-run organizations looking to better their online
presence.
Oversee their social media accounts, create engaging content, and analyze performance metrics. Thus
allowing them to focus on their core operations while you handle their digital marketing needs and get
paid for it.
Example: Offer social media management services to those in need. Tailor strategies to each client's goals
and target audience. Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to increase brand awareness and drive
sales. Promote your services through networking and referrals to get more clients and earn more extra
cash.
8. Study Material Rental Service
Establish a study material rental service where students can rent textbooks, course materials, and study
guides for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them.
Partner with local bookstores or set up a peer-to-peer rental platform to offer a wide range of materials.
Example: Launch an online platform for your rental services, and partner with publishers, bookstores, and
other students to build a diverse inventory of rental materials.
Offer flexible rental periods and delivery options to accommodate students' needs, and implement a userfriendly interface for browsing and renting materials.
9. Freelance Graphic Design Services
If you’re studying for a graphic design degree or getting with graphics use those great skills to offer
freelance graphic design services to student organizations, local businesses, and individuals in need of
logos, posters, flyers, or digital content.
Work on projects during your free time and set your own rates based on the difficulty of the work.
Example: Create a portfolio showcasing your graphic design skills and services, then advertise your
freelance services to individuals in need of design work. Set clear pricing and turnaround times for different
types of projects, and provide exceptional customer service to build a loyal client base.
10. Online Tutoring for High School Students
Since you; 're done with high school life. You can make use of that experience to offer virtual tutoring
services to high school students in subjects you were the best in.
Draft a flexible schedule that aligns with your study commitments and provide personalized tutoring
sessions via video calls or messaging platforms. Broadcast your services to attract clients and make some extra money for yourself.
11. Healthy Snack Delivery Service
Eating healthy is essential for university students. So start a healthy snack delivery service on campus. Sell
nutritious snacks and drinks to students who are looking for convenient and wholesome options between
classes or study sessions.
Team up with local vendors or wholesalers to source different snacks and deliver them directly to students'
dorms or study spaces.
Example: Launch a subscription-based healthy snack delivery service targeted towards students living on
or near campus. Source various snacks such as fresh fruit, granola bars, and trail mix from local suppliers
or wholesalers.
Offer subscription packages with different snack options and delivery frequencies, and provide discounts
for students who refer friends or sign up for a longer-term subscription
Business Tips for Making Money as a University Student
To build a successful business as a university student, it's vital to understand your target audience through market research. Provide high-quality products or services with reliability to establish trust among
customers. Make ordering and delivery convenient for your audience and focus on effective marketing
strategies, while actively engaging with customers to gather feedback for continuous improvement.
Conclusion
There are ways that you can attempt to make some pocket money for yourself instead of waiting on NSFAS
allowance or bursary allowance as a university student. Try out our listed options and pave your way to
earning money while studying.
