HEPI’s latest report on how institutions are responding to the cost-of-living crisis showcases sobering statistics: more than a quarter of universities (27%) have a food bank, including one-third (33%) of Russell Group universities and nearly two-thirds (63%) of universities in Wales. One-in-ten (11%) also distributes food vouchers.
Sadly this comes as little surprise, TechnologyOne’s research[1] earlier this year showed seven in ten students had considered dropping out of university since the start of their degree, with nearly two-fifths of those giving the rising cost of living as the main reason.
Sixty-nine per cent of all students admitted to adjusting their spending because of the rising cost of living. Half of students reported having to cut back on eating out and nights out (54% and 50%), more than a third cutting back on heating (36%), while another third reducing their spending on basic groceries.
And for the first time in its history, HEPI & Advance HE’s annual Student Academic Experience Survey reported there were now more students in paid employment (55%) than not (45%). Our own data corroborates this, with our survey showing a majority of students now have a full or part-time job to fund their “basic lifestyle” at university and afford their rent, utilities and food.
