Top European Cities for Student Jobs While Studying

Students choose to study abroad for a variety of compelling reasons. According to a QS study, key motivations include the opportunity to learn new languages, enhance job prospects, and attend prestigious educational institutions.

For many students relocating to a new country or city, juggling work and studies has become the norm. A recent UK survey reveals that 62% of students hold part-time jobs while pursuing their degrees. However, beginning university can be challenging, especially in an unfamiliar environment. So, how can you discover a job that seamlessly aligns with your student lifestyle?

Our research

Curious about the best job opportunities for students studying abroad in Europe, we embarked on a comprehensive analysis. By examining over 3 million job postings on LinkedIn, evaluating more than 12,000 company ratings on Glassdoor, and collecting salary data from over 90 locations across Europe, we developed a ranking based on these key factors:

• Where the highest proportion of student-friendly jobs are available per 1,000 jobs. 
• Where the highest proportion of student-friendly jobs are available per 100,000 of population.
• Which European locations offer the best rates of pay for student-friendly jobs.
• Which locations have the highest-rated employers offering student-friendly employment.
• Which locations offer the highest proportion of student-friendly jobs suitable for non-native speakers.

To uncover the best European destinations for international students seeking work opportunities while studying, we created a comprehensive weighted index by analyzing various key metrics.

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Key findings

Based on our study, we discovered the following:

• We found that Denmark features the top two locations for student-friendly jobs per 1,000 jobs. 
• Bath, the UK has the most student-friendly jobs available per 100,000 of the population.
• Lausanne, Zürich, and Bern, located in Switzerland, offer the best rates of pay for students in Europe.
• Paris has the highest-rated offering of employers providing student-friendly jobs.
• Konstanz, Germany has the most student-friendly jobs available for non-native speakers.

The best European locations for student-friendly jobs 

Our research reveals that Delft, Netherlands, stands out as the top destination for combining work and study abroad, achieving a perfect score of 100 in our index rating across five key metrics.

Located in the western Netherlands, this city is renowned for hosting one of the world’s top universities, which boasts an impressive rank of 15th in the QS World University Rankings.

Leiden, a captivating city in the Netherlands, closely follows with an impressive index score of 99.67 out of 100. Meanwhile, Germany’s Konstanz holds the third spot, boasting a score of 98.36.

Konstanz proudly stands among the top three cities in Germany, securing a spot in the prestigious top 10 rankings. It joins Würzburg, which ranks 5th, and Göttingen, which holds the 10th position.

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Locations with the most student-friendly jobs per 1,000 jobs  

Although major cities in Europe typically provide numerous student-friendly job opportunities, surprisingly, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen do not rank as the top choices.

Denmark shines as a leader in student job opportunities, with its cities topping the charts for the highest proportion of student-friendly positions. Odense takes the lead, offering an impressive 156 student-friendly job listings for every 1,000 jobs available. Close behind is Aalborg, where students can find 148 job opportunities per 1,000 listings.

Locations with the most student-friendly jobs per 100,000 people 

Our research revealed that Bath, UK stands out as a prime location for students seeking employment. With an impressive ratio of 2,155 student-friendly jobs available for every 100,000 residents, students here are likely to find job opportunities more easily than in other areas.

Brighton, another vibrant British city, takes the second spot with an impressive 1,990 jobs per 100,000 residents. Additionally, four other UK cities—Oxford, Coventry, Durham, and Cambridge—also feature in the top ten, highlighting a diverse range of opportunities across the country.

Which locations in Europe pay the most for student-friendly jobs?

Three Swiss cities stand out as the best places for student-friendly part-time jobs, offering impressive annual salaries. Lausanne leads the pack with an average pay of £15,725, followed closely by Zürich at £15,585, and Bern at £14,726. These cities not only provide financial support for students but also enhance their overall experience while studying.

While in Denmark, Odense and Aalborg average the highest with £11,910

and £11,831 per year making them both great choices when looking for a new place to study and work.

Which locations have the highest-rated student-friendly employers to work for? 

As a student, whether you’re studying at home or abroad, it’s essential to seek a workplace that fosters a welcoming atmosphere. Look for an environment that not only provides ample support but also offers the flexibility you need to accommodate your academic commitments.

To dive deeper into this topic, we examined the top-rated student-friendly employers and discovered that Paris, France, stands out as the ideal city for students seeking work experience. An impressive 48.9% of these companies received ‘highly-rated’ feedback. Popular job options for students include waitressing and babysitting, offering competitive hourly wages of €10 and €11, respectively.

Which locations offer the most jobs for non-native language speaking students? (Per 100,000 people) 

For students relocating to another country, often as non-native speakers, Konstanz in Germany stands out as a prime destination. This vibrant city boasts the highest number of job opportunities tailored for non-German speakers, with an impressive 985 available positions for every 100,000 residents.

Lund, Sweden, and Tübingen, Germany, stand out as top destinations for non-native job seekers, ranking second and third respectively. Lund boasts an impressive 936 job opportunities per 100,000 residents, while Tübingen follows closely with 912 roles available for every 100,000 people.

Germany stands out as the most welcoming destination for non-native speakers seeking student job opportunities, boasting five of the top ten locations in this category.

10 European cities with the most jobs for English speakers 

Our research identified the top locations for English speakers seeking job opportunities, revealing that Lund, Sweden, stands out with an impressive 2,188 English-speaking jobs for every 100,000 residents. This makes it the leading non-native English-speaking city for job availability in our study.

In Sweden, English is widely regarded as a second language, and the country excels in the EF English Proficiency Index, which assesses the English skills of non-native speakers globally. In 2021, Sweden proudly secured the 8th position out of 112 countries, highlighting its strong command of the language.

Tübingen, Germany, ranks second with an impressive 1,235 English-speaking jobs per 100,000 people. According to research from Europe Language Jobs, more than 62% of Germany’s population speaks English. Additionally, six other German cities are among the top ten destinations for English-speaking job opportunities.

How does knowledge of the local language make it faster to integrate into a new culture and city?

We chatted with Nadia Mykhalevych, a Communication Specialist at LingualNeeds, to gain her perspective on the vital role language plays in relocating and settling into a new city. She noted, “Moving abroad is an exhilarating yet intimidating experience, filled with numerous factors to navigate. For many, mastering a new language emerges as one of the greatest challenges when adapting to a foreign country.”

Although it’s not easy, learning the local language can be key for integrating quickly into your new community. 

Confidence in your communication skills opens the door to fully embracing local culture, enabling you to connect more deeply with your new city and its residents.

Additionally, learning the local language opens up a wealth of opportunities to broaden your social network. This is especially valuable if you’re relocating to a new area where you might not know anyone. The ability to connect with others can significantly enhance your experience abroad and help you create lasting friendships!

Are you eager to grasp the essentials of a new language and embark on an exciting journey abroad? Consider working with a tutor! At LingualNeeds, our dedicated language tutors not only facilitate your learning but also foster personal growth in a nurturing atmosphere. Here, you can build meaningful multilingual friendships while enhancing your language skills.

Methodology 

Our research focuses on a carefully curated list of 94 towns and cities across Europe, selected for their comparable data on metrics relevant to student workers.

We initially compiled our seed list of locations by focusing on areas in Europe that boast the highest-rated universities and the largest student populations.

We analysed data from both Glassdoor and LinkedIn, including jobs per 100,000 people, average pay, and highest rated companies. 

The final rankings of locations are based on an analysis of 3.1 million job advertisements, with 163,000 specifically suited for students. These student-friendly positions were identified by considering factors such as job type, required experience, and availability of part-time or entry-level roles.

We merged the results from various metrics to develop an index rating that ranges from 50 to 100—where 50 represents the lowest score and 100 signifies the highest. Each metric contributed equally to the overall score, ensuring a balanced evaluation.

All data is correct as of 16th September 2022.