There is an unspoken divide between students, a divide that affects your free time, energy, and ability to learn. The fact is, some students have to work to pay the bills, and other students do not. However, just how impactful is working a part-time job on the overall student experience, and what can be done to improve the lives of students struggling financially? 

A recent survey of 10,000 full-time undergraduate students carried out by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) found that 56% of students have paid employment while they study, work that averages 14.5 hours per week. The majority of the other 44% of students have a maintenance loan, bursary and/or scholarship that covers their rent and day to day costs, have their income supplemented by family or are unable to find suitable employment. The figures differ for certain social groups, for example, the HEPI found that 80% of students who had been in care had to take on extra work while studying.  

When combining study and face to face contact hours with working hours, some students found that they were occupied over 55 hours a week. According to the HEPI, working too many hours alongside your full-time degree can come with challenges. They describe that ‘when students work more hours than they can manage, it risks compromising the quality of their studies’. According to the institute, students with jobs are more likely to use AI programs to assist in their studies and are more likely to view lectures online rather than attending in person.  

What is the reality of work for students? The Work Foundation at Lancaster University found that 65% of new zero-hour contracts are signed by people between the ages of 16-24. This type of contract, in which employers are not required to give a minimum number of hours to employees, is common among working students. It is argued that this style of contract is a boon for students, meaning they can slot shorter shifts around their study hours and are not tied down to their university town when they wish to travel home. However, it must be noted that almost three-quarters of workers on zero-hour contracts are in a situation described as ‘severely insecure work’ by the Work Foundation. This means that they may face financial insecurity based on their uncertain contract, and that they have limited access to workers’ rights or protections.  

Whether it is down to a failure to predict inflation, negligence, or students falling low on the priority list of the government, many students find that their student loan just isn’t enough to live on. For many, the maintenance loan installments they receive throughout the year are not enough to cover rent, let alone utilities or food. For over ten years, the minimum threshold on household income has remained the same, meaning fewer students each year are entitled to the maximum maintenance loan. Also, as the cost of living rises, universities are less and less able to provide grants and aid to students from lower-income backgrounds.  

It is not radical to suggest students be able to survive off their maintenance loan. Gov.uk states that the maintenance loan provided for students is ‘for living costs’, and so it should cover rent, utilities, and food. An ideal situation for many students would be one where they can live securely and comfortably on their maintenance loan and enjoy nutritious and adequate food. 

Can work ‘work’ for students? Working alongside study can be an invaluable tool to gain professional experience in your field of study, or to broaden your experiences so that you finish university as a well-rounded graduate. Having a disposable income, even a small one, is not to be taken for granted. Provided that you have an acceptable relationship with your workplace and colleagues, working to earn extra money can absolutely be fulfilling, whether you’re building up an emergency fund or using the money you earn to treat yourself. 

There are large gaps in the student finance system, especially for those from less privileged backgrounds. For many students there simply isn’t enough money in their accounts to get by, meaning they must over-work themselves out of necessity. Until systematic change comes about, remember to look out for your friends who may be struggling; community support can ultimately be the difference between someone eating or going hungry.  

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