Awealth of longstanding research highlighted the disadvantages different groups of students faced even before the cost of living crisis. Recent research shows how this disparity is now intensified.
The recent MillionPlus survey highlighted that black and mature students are most at-risk for immediate financial hardship. Those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and students living at home or commuting to campus are also more likely to be at risk.
And in our research at the University of East London (UEL), we found financial concerns related to accommodation, living, and travel costs are widespread among all new and returning undergraduate and postgraduate students but especially returning ones with the lived experience of studying at university.
The Office for Students also recently found that concerns around affordability were widespread in the student body but also had differential impacts on different groups of students.
