Students put degrees at risk by working
A new study has found that students who work during term-time are putting their degree marks at risk. The study carried out by London's South Bank University and the Open University found that those students working 15 hours a week or more were more than a third less likely to receive a first or a 2:1.
For 50% of university students working is a necessity taken on by most to pay for basics like rent and food. Not surprisingly students from low-income families and ethnic minorities were found most likely to have term time jobs.
The number of students taking on paid work has increased dramatically since the late 1990s, a fact that can be attributed to the reforms in student finance introduced by Labour.
With work in bars and clubs being two of the most common forms of employment, the survey has revealed that many students admitted having trouble accessing library and computer facilities, missing lectures and producing poor quality work as a result of their paid jobs.
Rebecca Holland, a recent graduate, worked throughout her three years at the University of Westminster. "My student loan just didn't cover my rent or any of my other outgoings. Particularly in my second year I found I was missing a lot of lectures because I was just too tired," she said.
"I was really disappointed with my marks, I knew I could do better but I also thought that if I didn't work I wouldn't be able to stay at uni.
"At the beginning of my third year I talked to someone in the student services department who told me about the university Hardship Fund. Luckily I got some help, but this isn't the case for everyone and I think more should be done for those experiencing financial hardship because at the moment too many students are jeopardising their degree because they have to work."
The survey commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England is the first to confirm that the academic performance of students who work suffers. However, it also concludes that "term time work by students is to remain part of the higher education landscape".
Bill Rammell, the higher education minister, said: "Students beginning university next year will have nothing to pay until they have finished studying and earning over £15,000. With the reintroduction of grants worth £2,700 a year and bursaries offered by many universities, students should need to find less cash to support themselves while they are studying."
Although the new fees regime in 2006 has been put in place to help students balance financial concerns and studying for their course more effectively, co-author of the study Professor Claire Callender, of London South Bank University, says: "We expect term-time working will remain an issue for undergraduates."
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