Being a university student can be great. In fact, it's almost entirely great.  It does have its downside though - being skint!  The long summer holidays are a great chance for those without the bank balance to go inter-railing to get some much needed cash in the bank for next term's beer.  Fees, I mean.  So...what jobs are available and how do you make sure you're able to snap one up?

Often the first place to look is with employment agencies.  You can get a list of local ones by clicking here .  Agencies can be useful if you're looking for something short term, as they get requests from local employers on a regular basis for temporary staff to start work at short notice.  Register with a couple at a time and you could just find yourself in work within a couple of days if you strike lucky.  Always make sure you make a good impression if you get temporary work through an agency - you never know what could come of it.  Your two week job could turn into three months of work if you make the right impression; and remember there's always next summer too when you'll be needing work.

You could also try approaching some local companies directly.  This can be a worthwhile approach if you've got a little time on your hands (and let's be honest, you're students so you will have!) to write a few emails or make some phone calls.  Be prepared for some knock backs if you try this approach, but some employers might just admire your get-up-and-go and give you a chance.

An other option you may consider is the placement schemes offered by organisations such as STEP.  This organisation places undergraduates into small and medium sized businesses to work on specific projects for a defined period of time.  This can be great if you've got a particular skill you want to improve, or know of an area you'd like to work in when you graduate, why not get some experience for a couple of months one summer?