Side Hustles: Hobby Streaming… for Uni students!

“Mobile Phone” by Erik Lucatero/ CC0 1.0

Have you ever thought about turning your hobbies into side hustles while studying? 

As a university student, balancing coursework, social life, and finances can be challenging. But what if you could turn your hobbies — whether gaming, art, music, or even study sessions — into a fun and potentially profitable side gig through streaming? Streaming isn’t just for pro gamers, it can be a fantastic way to share your passions, build a community, and even earn some extra cash along the way. So, how do you get started while juggling student life?  

Getting Started with Streaming on a Student Budget 

Starting a stream doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Here’s how to get going without breaking the bank: 

  1. Choose a streaming platform – Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming are some of the biggest names in the game. Instagram live also allows you to stream your hobbies to viewers but has limited functionality and monetisation options. Twitch is the go-to for live content, while YouTube allows you to mix live and pre-recorded content. Choose the one that fits your style and schedule the best. 
  1. Use what you already have – You don’t need high-end gear to start – your laptop, a decent microphone (even a headset can work), and a stable internet connection are enough to start. If your university provides tech resources or streaming rooms, take advantage of them! 
  1. Take advantage of free streaming software – OBS or Streamlabs OBS are beginner-friendly and allow for overlays, alerts, and smooth streaming without costing you a fortune. 
  1. Optimise your setup – A well-lit, clutter-free background and good audio quality can make a big difference in viewer engagement. Just think about which streamers are successful and use this as inspiration.  
  1. Pick a niche and stay consistent – Whether it’s gaming, study-with-me sessions, picking a niche helps attract a dedicated audience. A realistic schedule that fits around your classes is key, so that hobby streaming doesn’t interfere with your studies. 

Making Money as a Student Streamer 

Monetising your stream can be challenging, especially in the early days when building an audience takes time. Many platforms require meeting certain milestones (such as a minimum follower count or minimum number of streaming hours) before unlocking revenue options like ads and subscriptions. However, with patience, consistency, and engaging content, it is absolutely possible to turn streaming into a source of income. The key is to focus on community-building first, and the monetisation will follow with options such as these:  

  1. Subscriptions and donations – Platforms like Twitch and YouTube allow viewers to subscribe or donate directly. Even a small, engaged audience can contribute. 
  1. Sponsorships and brand deals – Companies love working with student creators who have a relatable audience. 
  1. Affiliate marketing – Share links to budget-friendly student essentials and earn a commission. 
  1. Selling notes, merch and crafts – If you stream study sessions, offering notes or custom study-related merchandise can be a niche income source. 

Things to Watch Out For 

While streaming can be a fun and rewarding side hustle, there are certain things to bear in mind, especially when you are putting yourself out there for viewers all over the world to see. There can be unforeseen barriers to your streaming, such as copyright strikes, privacy issues and internet trolls which can hinder your progress. If you are choosing to stream during your studies, make sure to balance your studies and use your passion for streaming as a break from studies, not another thing that will add to your burnout.  

Finally… 

Streaming can be an amazing way to share your passion, meet like-minded people, and even make some extra money while studying. The key is to have fun and be yourself — your enthusiasm will attract the right audience. So, what’s stopping you? Hit that “Go Live” button and start your journey today! 

Claire Han
King’s Student Money Mentor
Part of Money & Housing Advice

The King’s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students’ personal experiences and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post. King’s College London, the Money & Housing Advice service and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts. 

National Student Money Week: Streaming to Gleaning

“Words Text” by Words as Pictures/ CC0 1.0

In today’s digital age, creating engaging online content isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lucrative way to boost your reach, expand your network, and even generate income!  

So many of us enjoy consuming engaging content (admit it, your screen time is embarrassing), so why not try and take advantage of this? Whether you’re sharing knowledge or showcasing your talents, streaming and creating content can open doors to opportunities that extend far beyond a single post or video. 

Building Your Reach & Network 

The more engaging and authentic your content, the bigger your audience. Here are some tips on how you can maximise your audience growth: 

  • Find Your Niche – Whether it’s tech reviews, fitness advice, gaming, or personal finance, focusing on a specific topic helps attract a loyal audience with shared interests.  
  • Consistency is Key – Posting regularly ensures visibility and engagement, helping you stay relevant in a fast-paced online space. Studies by Sprout Social found that people who post about 2-3 times a week see higher levels of engagement, so it’s all about balance!  
  • Engage with Your Audience – Responding to comments (maybe not the rude ones) and creating interactive polls can make all the difference, making you come across as relatable.  

Inform, Educate & Entertain 

Nowadays, people (me) tend to turn to social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for short clips on things such as restaurants or beauty products. You can take inspiration from this and your content can:  

  • Inform – Share industry insights, product reviews, or how-to guides that could help your audience.  
  • Educate – Teach a skill, explain complex topics in digestible terms, or provide solutions to common problems, making people feel like they learned something without being at school. 
  • Entertain – Keep your audience hooked with humour, storytelling, or your completely unfiltered opinions. 

Monetising Your Content 

The content creation industry is extremely profitable now. UK influencer revenue sits at an hourly average wage of £117. Here are some effective ways to monetise your content: 

  • Ad Revenue – Platforms like YouTube and Twitch offer ad-based revenue for creators who meet their criteria. 
  • Sponsorships & Brand Deals – Brands partner with content creators to promote products in an authentic and unique way. 
  • Affiliate Marketing – Earn commissions by recommending products and services with trackable links. 

Creating online content is more than just a side hustle—it’s a platform for expression, connection, and financial opportunity. Whether you’re streaming, vlogging, or educating, your content has the potential to inform, inspire, and generate income. 

So, why not start today? Your audience, and your earnings, are waiting! 

Aderinsola Abudu
King’s Student Money Mentor
Part of Money & Housing Advice

The King’s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students’ personal experiences and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post. King’s College London, the Money & Housing Advice service and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts. 

A guide to private housing in London

“House Home” by Mike Birdy/ CC0 1.0

Hi KCL! Now that Semester two has started, we’re aware that many students are starting to think about where to live next year. Some of you will have already secured accommodation, which is great! For those that haven’t, we thought we’d create a quick guide with some tips on things to consider if you’re planning on renting within London. Bear in mind that for private housing in London, options are normally only advertised one to two months before they are available. This means that you can wait till summer to start looking for a place to live.

If you’re about to move into King’s residences, make sure to check the “Arrival FAQs,” as well as the “Moving in guide”. However, if you’re planning to move into private rented accommodation, these are a few things you should check before your tenancy begins.

Tenancy agreement and deposit

A tenancy agreement is essentially a contract between you and your landlord. This will include the address of the property, when the tenancy starts, the duration of the tenancy (typically 12 months), the amount of rent and deposit, and the names of the tenants and landlord. The agreement will also outline the legal terms and conditions of your tenancy. This is to protect both you and the landlord. Make sure to read through the tenancy agreement a few times so you can check that all the information is correct before you sign it.

You will usually be required to pay a deposit before moving into the property. This is equivalent to about four to five weeks of rent. You will get this back once the tenancy ends, provided that there is no damage to the property or other breaches of the tenancy agreement. Your landlord is legally required to place your deposit in a tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme. You can ask them for proof of this if it is not provided initially.

Gas safety certificate and energy performance certificate

Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement for landlords and they should be dated within the last 12 months. Energy performance certificates provide details of the energy rating of the property. It is illegal to let a property that has a rating below E.

Inventory check and meter readings

An inventory check is a comprehensive document detailing the condition of a property at the beginning and end of a tenancy. Normally, this is conducted by an inventory clerk when you move in. Tenants are usually present for this and it is recommended that you take pictures if anything appears to be damaged. This will help if there are disputes at the end of the tenancy.

Remember to take pictures of your gas and electricity meters too to confirm the readings. You will need to provide these details to utility companies when you set up your accounts and this will ensure that you don’t pay for the previous tenants’ usage. It’s a good idea to discuss with your flatmates about how you intend to organise the bill payments between you. Contact the utility companies when you move in to set up your account and provide the correct meter readings.

Council tax

Finally, a note on Council Tax as this is something that many students (including myself) forget about. Students are exempt from paying council tax as long as they show proof. You can download a Confirmation of Study Letter from Student Services Online and send this document to your local Council via their website. You should do this as early as possible, however if you do forget, don’t worry. The council will send you a letter reminding you of any missed payments and how to apply for an exemption.

So there you have it, a list of things to remember prior to moving into a privately rented property. If you have any further questions about private housing, including contract checking, utility bills, or disputes with landlords or flatmates, don’t hesitate to contact the King’s Money and Housing team. I know this list may seem a bit daunting, but if you’re well prepared, this will make your move in as stress free as possible!

Aanchal Raina
King’s Student Money Mentor
Part of Money & Housing Advice

The King’s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students’ personal experiences and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post. King’s College London, the Money & Housing Advice service and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts.