It’s always been that some students have had to work in part-time jobs to make ends meet. Universities discourage it though they understand why some students have no other choice. However, more students than ever must now work to avoid poverty and continue to afford bills and groceries.

What does the HEPI report say?

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) survey questioned 10,000 current students. The report found:

•         55% work to ensure they meet their bills. This is up from 45% in last year’s survey, and 34% in the 2021 survey
•         Most students who work spend an average 13.5 hours every week in their job(s)
•         Some students work as many as three jobs
•         14% said they needed that money to make up the difference in financial shortfall of their loans and grants
•         Older students (those over the age of 25) were more likely to need a job as this demographic is more likely to have children or care responsibilities

Most shocking of all, 76% said the cost of living negatively impacts (and continues to impact) studies. It must be pointed out that universities prefer students didn’t work so that they can focus on their studies. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, more and more students find they have no other choice.

New mental health questions

The HEPI survey has been run for many years now and covers a range of issues including value for money, expectations vs reality, whether students would choose the same course if they could do it all over again, and the number of contact hours.

2022 was the first year the survey included questions on mental health. The section covers general mental health but also specifics such as loneliness. This year’s report found that between last year (when the questions were first included) to now increased loneliness from 22% to 26%.

Mental health has declined in significance, but seemingly this is only because of the cost-of-living crisis. However, it must be noted that the survey found “increasing levels of distress” with students already struggling to cope with university.

What are universities doing to help?

Over the last few years, we have seen universities increasing the number and monetary value of student hardship funding. These include grants, but other measures include subsidising food for some students while others may qualify for free food. Also, some offer pastoral support in the form of counselling.

However, Universities UK have said that government needs to step in and offer more support to struggling students. With massive changes planned to the student loans system from the academic year 2023-2024, we expect the situation to get worse while the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.