The University of Essex has joined dozens of other universities in helping students during the cost of living crisis. To help students earn more money, the university has created 7,500 hours towards student jobs.
The University of Essex has invested approximately £100,00 in creating part-time jobs for its students. The scheme offers 7,500 hours of work during the cost of living crisis. They also hope it will add to the student’s university experience.
The University Of Essex Creates Jobs For Students
The jobs will be available at the university’s Colchester and Southend campuses. Students will be completing administrative and creative tasks across the university. Predominantly, the roles will focus on the improvement of the student experience at the university.
By working for the university, the jobs on offer will fit easily around the student’s academic schedule compared to jobs in hospitality or retail.
Professor Eactot told the BBC that the jobs will be a rewarding experience for the students, whilst easing the struggle.
“We want to offer our students ‘real jobs’ which they know are making a difference by improving the student experience, offering extra support and ensuring students get everything they can from their time at Essex.
“We hope these roles will be really rewarding for our students while adding an extra level to the transformational education we already aim to deliver.”
The scheme is in addition to the £3 million that the University of Essex has already invested in student support.
Dozens of Universities Are Helping Students
The University of Essex is just one of many UK universities introducing new schemes to help struggling students. Although government aid is in place during the cost of living crisis, such as cold weather payments and money towards energy bills, this is rarely available to students.
As a result, universities are having to come up with ways to help students. Some have introduced free food larders, others have reduced accommodation and on-campus fees, and others have offered financial aid.
The worry is that loans unable to match the cost of living inflation will result in fewer students attending university.
A student of the University of Essex spoke to the BBC about how little her maintenance loan covers:
“My maintenance doesn’t even cover my accommodation, so I have to put around £300 towards it myself, so then food just comes out of my own money.”
During her Christmas break, she has no choice but to work.
“So I’m working most days during the Christmas holidays to try and get together the money I can for my food shopping and just enjoyment money as well to socialise because that’s obviously a very important part of keeping up good mental health.”
The President of the University of Essex SU spoke of the effect this additional stress has on students’ work:
“It is not only about students having money to survive, but also how can a student who is having a sleepless night actually able to make money to survive and focus on their studies.”
In a time of such uncertainty, what is undeniable is that more needs to be done to help students. And not just from their universities. Universities are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Continually adding to student aid takes a huge chunk out of their funding.
