University students ‘working more’

UNIVERSITY students are working their way through their course as their studies are affected by the cost-of-living crisis, according to a new survey.

The 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey, published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Advance HE, saw more than 10,000 people respond to questions on their academic experienceand work.

Authors Jonathan Neves and Rose Stephenson said the survey showed students are ‘working harder, have more assignments and are spending more time being taught and in independent learning than last year’.

The cost-of-living crisis is overshadowing the perceptions of their academic experience, they added.

Key findings from the survey showed:

* 76% of students feel the cost of living crisis has affected their studies. 50% state that their studies were impacted “a little” and over a quarter (26%) state that their studies were affected “a lot”

* There has been a major increase in the number of students in paid employment, from 45% to 55%

* The average number of hours per week spent in class, fieldwork or studying independently, has risen from 30.7 to 33.4

* The proportion who would choose the same course and institution again remains similar at 58%, compared to 59% in 2022

* 37% of students said they received good or very good value for money

* The proportion of students whose experience exceeded expectations increased from 17% to 19%

With the very clear rise in the number of students in paid employment – from 34% in 2021 to 55% in 2023 – the report authors said it is reasonable to infer this will have bearing on their academic experience.

For example, of students not in paid employment, 65% would choose the same

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In considering leaving university, 8% cited financial difficulties as the reason –double that in the 2021 SAES report.

Alison Johns, Advance HE’s chief executive, said: “It’s clear that the cost of living crisis is holding their experience back, and all stakeholders will be keen to look at ways to mitigate this and achieve and sustain high value in the long term.”

And Nick Hillman, director of HEPI, added: “There are many positives in this year’s results, which show the postpandemic recovery is well under way in higher education. But the survey also shows the cost-of-living crisis is not just shorthand for rising prices – most students are being affected in adverse ways.

“The increase in the proportion of students who feel compelled to do so many hours of paid employment that their studies may suffer seems a particularly acute challenge.

“Those in power should urgently look afresh at the maintenance support on offer to undergraduates.”