What to Do in Summer as a Student Without Spending a Fortune

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Uni is finally done for the summer, yes! Now, your priority is to have the summer OF YOUR LIFE. We know you’re on a tight student budget, so here's how to have the BEST summer ever, without spending a fortune. We got you, hun.

What to do in summer as a student

Volunteer at a festival 🎪

Imagine spending your summer going from festival to festival, without it costing you a penny. Yes please. With My Cause UK, not only do you get to experience a number of the best festivals around the country, but you also donate to a charitable cause in the process. You basically donate your time, and My Cause donates to your cause in return.

You can apply for a number of positions, all of which include a crew wristband to enjoy the event when you’re not working. You also get free tea, coffee and snacks, as well as a meal ticket for each shift worked.

If you feel like getting away from it all and making new friends this summer, you can apply on your own or with a group of mates. It's up to you. Fancy it? Give the guys at My Cause UK a shout and check out our blog on what to take to a festival!

See people 🍻

This one might seem obvious - but make the most of it! If you and your old school friends have all returned to your hometown over the summer, make sure you have plenty of catch-ups whilst you're all in the same place. The same goes for seeing your family.

And, if you're missing your new uni friends already, why not visit their hometowns? Bath, Brighton, and York, amongst other cities, make for perfect summer staycations!

Work abroad for the summer ☀️

If you were planning on going away this summer anyway, why not think about making some cash in the process? Work a summer season in some of the party capitals around Europe. This one has an initial cost to it, but with the opportunities it gives you, and a month’s accommodation included in the cost, you’ll soon make that money back (and more).

If working hard, but playing harder, is your thing, then what better way to spend summer than doing just that? Plus, there's the added benefit of being in the sun while you're at it.

Check out the guys at Summer Takeover, who are the ‘most reputable and most established’ option, and are also pretty cheap. Whilst you're at it, discover our top tips for working abroad as a student.

Hire a campervan and tour the country 🏕️

If you’d rather staycate than vacate, why not round up a group of mates, hire a campervan, and tour the UK? A typical camper for four people would be around £45 per day, per person. There are longer-term hires available for cheaper, too. Check out GoBoony for all your campervan needs.

You could literally drop a pin in a map, pack up your sleeping bag and stove, and set off on your very own UK adventure. Plus, this can very easily be done on a budget. Camping pitches are super cheap, and you can find somewhere on Pitchup, leaving you with just food and petrol to worry about. For inspiration on where to go, check out where you should travel this summer.

Learn something new 🧠

If you don't fancy an internship but still want to sharpen your skills over the summer, now is the time to learn something new. Whether you've been wanting to learn how to speak a new language, code, or play a musical instrument for some time now, summer is the perfect opportunity to get stuff done.

Hop onto YouTube and watch a few free-of-charge 'How to' videos or hire a cheap teacher online. It will keep your brain active and give you something to add to your CV.

House/pet sitting 🐶 

We can wait for the day we can get our own place and a little furry friend to keep us company. Until then, you can have a taste of pet parenting with Trusted Housesitters. You get to pet-sit for an animal of your choice, pretty much anywhere in the world.

There's a registration fee to pay, and you'll need to be verified to pet and house sit, but other than that, the experience is entirely free. You just need to be passionate about pets and responsible enough to house sit.

There are opportunities to do this all over the world, with houses of all shapes and sizes, and pets far from your usual household friends. Options range from lizards to ponies or livestock. Take your pick of which takes your fancy, and go for it! We’ll take a llama, please. 🙋‍♂️

Be a tourist in the UK 🚆 

With a student railcard, you can get 1/3 off train journeys anywhere in the UK. Keep an eye out for cheap tickets being released, and book with your railcard for even bigger discounts. The railcard costs around £35, but if you’re planning on making a few day trips here, there and everywhere, you'll soon make that back (and a hell of a lot more) in savings.

When you have the 16-25 railcard, you can also get a YHA membership card for just £1, with 10% discount on bookings at over 4000 hostels. So if you fancy having a cheeky overnight stay, grab that railcard because the UK is your oyster!

Go forest bathing 🌲 

If uni has totally taken it out of you this year, it’s good for the soul to surround yourself with nature. Whether that’s with picnicking, dam building, watching a sunset with a beer in hand, or forest bathing (it’s not quite as weird as it sounds!).

With a young person’s National Trust membership at a super decent £36, you'll get free access to over 500 beautiful places across the UK. You’ll be able to make the most of some stunning places, which are often closer than you think. This includes beautiful beaches, stately homes and countryside walks.

Why not take inspo from this list of ‘50 of the best things to do before you turn 11¾’  as a way to really enjoy the outdoors like you’re a kid again? I mean, who doesn’t miss playing pooh sticks?! 🤷‍♀️

Do an internship  👔

Whilst maybe not as fun as attending a festival or travelling the world, tackling a summer internship can offer you a great opportunity to pick up new skills this season. Not only this, but you can boost your future employability and meet some new people.

An internship may help you better understand which type of career you would like to pursue (or which you don't want to pursue!). This may be your first time experiencing what an office is really like, which can certainly prepare you for your first graduate job. Plus, you might even get paid...

Save on theme parks 🎢 

If you’re more inclined to live life on the edge, then what's better than taking advantage of student discounts at some of the UK's best theme parks? If you or one of your friends can drive, check out Thorpe Park and Alton Towers for some satisfying savings.

Plus, take a kip at one of the budget hotels/hostels nearby, and you can literally ride, rave, sleep, and repeat.

Check out city-specific activities 🌍

Wherever you are in the world, there are plenty of things to get stuck into this summer. Discover what to do in Nottingham in summer, activities in Newcastle, and alcohol-free things to do in Edinburgh. The world is your (budget-friendly) oyster!

But if you'd rather stay at home, cuddled up under a blanket with a good book, that's also okay! You'll have a jam-packed year ahead, so brace yourself!

Sort next year's student accommodation

When it comes to what to do in your summer off as a uni student, make sure your accommodation is all sorted for September. You may be on a tight timeline, but fortunately, UniHomes can help. We partner with letting agents and landlords across the UK so you can find your perfect student house in style.

Filter by your budget, location, and number of bedrooms for a stress-free experience today.