Finding part-time work in Brighton while studying is something thousands of students figure out every September. Whether you are based near the University of Sussex campus in Falmer, the University of Brighton sites in Grand Parade and Moulsecoomb, or studying music at BIMM or engineering at MET, the local job market has real openings.
The key challenge is not finding work — it is finding work that fits your lecture timetable, pays properly, and does not collapse your first semester. This guide is written to help you do that.
Where Brighton's Student Jobs Actually Are
At a glance: Student-friendly work concentrates along three corridors: The North Laine (cafés, bars, independent shops), Western Road and Churchill Square (retail chains, supermarkets, fast casual), and campus itself (library, events, student union bar).
Brighton is compact enough to cycle across, but bus fares add up if you are commuting from Moulsecoomb into the centre every day. It is worth thinking about location before you apply.
North Laine and the Lanes run roughly between the station and the seafront. They are home to coffee houses, pubs, brunch spots, and boutiques. Shifts here tend to be flexible and the atmosphere is sociable, though hours can be irregular depending on the venue.
Western Road and Churchill Square are where you find the high-street names: supermarkets, fashion chains, fast food. These employers run structured payrolls, guarantee contracted hours, and often offer staff discounts. Good if you want predictability.
Campus-based roles — library assistant, student union bar staff, event steward, catering support — are worth looking into early because they are often advertised quietly on internal noticeboards and tend to go quickly. Sussex and Brighton universities both run student employment schemes.
Browse our student part-time jobs in Brighton to see what is currently open. If you hold a Student Visa, also read our guide on the 20-hour work rules before applying.
Writing a CV That Gets You Called Back
Brighton managers — especially in hospitality and retail — tend to make fast decisions. They are not looking for a two-page academic CV. They want to know three things quickly: when you are free, what you can do, and whether you seem reliable.
### What to include:
- Contact details — name, Brighton or Hove area, phone number, email.
- Your availability, up front — do not bury it. Something like: "Available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2 PM, plus full Saturday and Sunday" is genuinely useful to a manager building a rota.
- Relevant experience or transferable skills — if you have not worked in the UK before, mention school projects, volunteering, team sports, or anything that shows you can work with people under a bit of pressure.
- Practical competencies — till or EPOS use, food hygiene awareness, customer service, cash handling.
Independent venues — the kind of places listed in the Flour Pot Bakery employer hub — often care more about whether you seem switched-on than whether you have two years of barista experience. For café-specific advice, read our how to land a café job in Brighton guide.
What You Will Earn: UK Minimum Wage Rates from April 2026
Under UK law, statutory minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026 are:
| Age | Minimum Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| 16 to 17 / Apprentice | £8.00 |
Source: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates
In practice, many Brighton hospitality and retail businesses advertise slightly above minimum — particularly for roles requiring customer-facing confidence or weekend availability. In hospitality venues that operate a tronc scheme, card tips are distributed to staff on top of the hourly rate, though the amounts vary by venue and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Most students aim to work between 10 and 16 hours per week — enough to earn meaningfully without it eating into assignment time. Two shifts of 5–6 hours is a common arrangement.
For open hospitality roles with listed pay rates, check hospitality jobs in Brighton.
How Hiring Actually Works in Brighton
Most vacancies in Brighton are now posted online, including at independent cafés, small boutiques, and local pubs. Applying through a job listing means your details reach a manager directly, at a time when they are actually looking for someone — rather than when they are mid-service.
That said, some small independent venues — particularly pubs and neighbourhood cafés — still occasionally take CVs from people who come in politely during quiet periods (typically Tuesday to Thursday afternoons, between 2 PM and 4 PM, outside of service times). It is less reliable than responding to a posted vacancy, but it is not unheard of.
The practical advantage of job boards is shift filtering: you can see exactly what days an employer needs cover before you apply, which saves everyone's time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should I work per week as a student?
Most student support services suggest around 12 to 16 hours per week as a workable maximum during term time. If you hold a Student Visa, you are legally limited to 20 hours per week while studying at degree level — check our Student Visa guide for the full rules.
What pay should I expect in Brighton?
The statutory minimum from April 2026 is £12.71/hr for workers aged 21 and over, and £10.85/hr for 18 to 20 year olds. Many Brighton venues pay at or slightly above this. Tips in hospitality add a variable supplement depending on the venue's tronc arrangement.
Do I need UK work experience to get hired?
Not necessarily. Many entry-level roles in cafés, retail, and events recruit based on availability, attitude, and reliability, and provide training. Being upfront about your exact availability in your application goes a long way.
Before You Apply: Quick Checklist
- One-page CV ready with your availability clearly stated near the top
- National Insurance number obtained (or application started)
- Right to Work documents confirmed if you are an international student
- Hours budget set — decide your weekly limit before you start applying
Browse open Brighton PartTimer listings to find roles matching your schedule today.