A new survey has shown that the number of university students in work has now risen to more than half. Many cite the pressure of the cost of living crisis and inefficient maintenance loans.
Lots of students decide to get a job whilst at university. It means extra money and can be all-important experience for once your studies are over.
However, the decision has now become a necessity as more than half take on paid work to fight the impact of the cost of living crisis.
University Students In Work Rises To More Than Half
Since last year, the number of students who also have jobs has risen by 10 per cent. Recorded as 45 per cent in 2022, the same survey this year has revealed that is now 55 per cent.
Asking 10,000 students, more than three-quarters said this was because of the negative impact of the cost of living crisis.
This is the largest survey about university student experiences in the UK and is carried out annually.
Students who do have jobs are working an average of 13.5 hours a week alongside their studies in term time. Many suggest that 10 hours is the recommended amount, but this depends on individual circumstances.
Clearly, the circumstances of students in 2023 call for more than 10 hours.
Lots of students are now working 4 days a week in multiple jobs to help support themselves. Earlier in the year, we reported on how university students were skipping meals because they didn’t have enough money.
Maintenance Loans Are Failing Students
One of the biggest reasons for needing to work is that maintenance loans are not enough.
Though other countries have increased this loan substantially to compete with the cost of living, this is not the case in England. Wales will increase the amount by over 9 per cent for 2023-204, and Ireland a huge 40 per cent. England, on the other hand, will be a mere 2.4 per cent.
For context, in the last year student’s living costs have risen by 14 per cent.
In the last year, students have resorted to using food banks and dropping out because they cannot afford the university experience.
In England, the amount a student receives from a maintenance loan is typically calculated by their parent’s income. However, many parents can’t afford to support their children at university, meaning students are going without.
For comparison, Welsh students all get the same amount, now over £11,000, regardless of their personal circumstances.
The UK government has also recently made the decision to lower the student loan threshold. This means, come September, graduates will start paying back their loans earlier and for longer.
Though university students’ choice to take on paid work isn’t surprising, it is saddening. Universities UK have spoken about how individual universities are trying to do their part. However, without the government stepping in, options and resources are limited.
Money is an issue on many people’s minds, with university lectures taking industrial action earlier this year. Though lots of students showed their support, the strikes meant that many missed out on lectures for days at a time, decreasing the value of their course.