Starting a business while you’re still a student sounds like a lot - and honestly, it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. In fact, being at the University of Greenwich, especially at the Business School, puts you in a great position to try something new, test an idea, and see where it goes.
Before you jump in, though, here are five things to think about:
Can you actually make time for this?
Uni life is full-on. You’ve got deadlines, part-time jobs, society stuff, and maybe even a bit of a social life if you're lucky. A business will take up more time - meetings, planning, marketing, the lot.
If your schedule’s already packed, think about whether now’s the right time, or if you can start small and build gradually. Maybe summer is your moment to go bigger. The point is: pace yourself.
Is this solving a real problem, or just a cool idea?
It’s easy to get excited about an idea, but if no one needs it - it’s not a business. Think about your own life on campus. What’s annoying? What do students constantly moan about? What’s missing?
That’s where the best ideas come from. Not from trying to be “the next big thing” but from fixing everyday problems. If a few mates say they’d pay for it, you might be onto something.
Start small - especially when it comes to money
Keep it light. No need to splash out on a full website or fancy branding straight away. Use free tools. Get feedback early. Offer a test version. Don’t go all in with your student loan - it’s just not worth it.
Also, The Generator on campus is there exactly for this. It’s the uni’s hub for student enterprise, and they’ve got free workshops, mentoring, and even pitch events where you can win funding. Literally built for students like you.
So if you're thinking, “Okay, I’ve got something here”, go have a chat with them. They can help you take the next step without making the common mistakes.
There’s admin. It’s boring. But don’t skip it
Yeah, this part isn’t fun. But if you’re selling something or offering services, you need to get the basics right:
- Do you need to register as self-employed?
- Should you be tracking income?
- Are there campus rules around promoting or selling?
It’s all manageable, but ignoring it can mess things up later. If you’re unsure, The Generator or the Careers team can talk you through what’s what.
You’ve got a whole network - use it
One of the biggest advantages of starting a business while at uni? You’ve got people around you - loads of them. Students who can test your idea. Lecturers with business experience. Societies you can collab with. Alumni who’ve done it already.
Ask questions. Pitch your idea casually to people. DM someone who’s already doing something similar. You don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Final thought
You don’t need to have the perfect business plan or know all the answers. Start messy. Learn as you go. Greenwich has tools and people to back you - use them.
If you're curious, just pop into The Generator or check out what events they’ve got coming up. You never know where one idea might take you.
