As the cost-of-living bites (with no immediate let up expected any time soon), it’s getting harder for the poorest in society to make ends meet. Regardless of parental income, students are among the poorest groups economically, largely relying on loans and the Bank of Mum and Dad.

Universities are doing what they can with emergency grants and bursaries to help the poorest, but now they’re looking at timetables.

Is a temporary three-day week the answer?

Student contact hours in terms of lectures are typically between 15 and 20 hours per week, spread over five days. However, that’s few hours spread over a five-day working week when you consider that working full-time is 35-38 hours on average over five days.

Some university departments are already condensing their lectures into three days, meaning more time in university during those three days. That leaves two days in a working week for students to take on jobs in normal office hours. At the very least, it allows students more flexibility to organise their studies and part-time jobs.

According to recent data, over half of students are having to work to make up a shortfall in funding. This has increased from 34% in 2021 and 45% in 2022 as the cost-of-living bit.

The De Montfort model

De Montfort University actually trialled a shorter timetable in the 2022-2023 academic year. The trial was successful and so it decided to roll out that model across the whole university. The vice-chancellor revealed that when surveyed, the students who were part of the block teaching trial were around 10% happier with their study plans than those who were on the traditional format.

It is said to have most benefitted those who live nearby, especially those in commutable distance living with parents. They reduced their travel expenses by heading into university fewer days in the week.

De Montfort are not alone. Anglia Ruskin, Sunderland, and a few London unis also conducted similar trials to positive results. Those universities reported that the change in study model is purely driven by the cost-of-living crisis. Others are holding lectures entirely in the mornings or afternoons to allow students a more organised day, while others are considering a three-day study week.

More than ever considering dropping out

We cannot understate how much this current cost-of-living crisis has impacted students. Money worries have always been a thing, but in several recent official student surveys it’s shown to be the main stressor. 7,500 out of 10,000 who responded said they’d considered dropping out purely due to finances.

Hopefully, these new measures as well as the funds and other help being made available should benefit the majority.