Students: Working for a living

More students are being forced to work in order to pay for the basic essentials of life, a new study has found.

The MORI survey for Unite, which comes in the wake of increased debt fears following the introduction of top-up and tuition fees, has led to alarm about the stresses of being a modern day student.

It finds that 59 per cent of students who work feel that it affects their studies - with 38 per cent missing lectures as a result and 21 per cent failing to submit coursework.

Poorer students are working longer hours to fund their way through university and are harming their academic performance as a result.

Unfair system

The findings prove that the current funding system is unfair and discriminating, the NUS claims.

NUS vice president Helen Symons said student life is becoming increasingly stressful largely due to the "ever increasing debt and hardship that students face".

"One in four students will have some mental health problem during their time at university and financial worries are often at the root of their depression," she added.

"That 27 per cent find juggling university work with other commitments to be one of the worst aspects of university life highlights the stresses that students find themselves under.

"That the respondents anticipated their graduate debt to be £9000 plus and almost a third seriously worry about their debts shows the impact of such financial pressures which can lead to anxiety and force them into part time work."

Binge drinking

The NUS has also welcomed evidence that students are aware of the dangers of binge drinking.

Amid fears about 24-hour pub opening, Symons says the survey counteracts the "outdated stereotype" of irresponsible students.

"That almost 60 per cent of students view binge drinking as risky shows that high profile campaigning work at campuses around the country is really working and that students are aware of the dangers of drink spiking and health problems associated with drinking large quantities," Symons added.

"In any case, as these stats show, students are more likely to be working behind the bar than drinking at it."