Paid work now a ‘necessity’ for most students – new report reveals
A landmark study, developed in collaboration with London South Bank University (LSBU), reveals that for most students, paid employment is no longer a matter of choice but a financial necessity.
Student Working Lives (HEPI Report 195) analyses how paid work is reshaping the student experience as students juggle study, work and caregiving responsibilities.
The report suggests that, as the cost-of-living crisis deepens and maintenance support fails to keep pace, two-thirds (66%) of students work to cover their basic living costs while 26% of students work to support their families.
Most students are employed in low-paid and flexible sectors, such as health and social care, retail and hospitality. In addition, the study found students work an average of 17 hours a week in paid work, with an overall workload of 50 hours, inclusive of academic work and to travel time.
The report was produced by the Higher Education Policy Institute and the University of Lancashire in partnership with the University of Liverpool, New Buckinghamshire University and LSBU. It drew on survey responses from more than 1,000 students and linked institutional data.
Responding to the realities of student life
The Student Working Lives report paints a stark picture of the pressures facing today’s students. Among its key findings: those working fewer than 20 hours per week are more likely to stay on track for good honours degrees, while job quality - flexible, supportive and meaningful roles - significantly influences academic success. Yet many students are “time poor”, juggling long hours that push studies into second place and limit access to core academic and extracurricular experiences.
The research also highlights systemic challenges: 38% of students are on zero-hours or casual contracts and 43% report stress, anxiety or depression linked to work. Workplace support is another gap, with only a third of students feeling supported by managers and just 38% by colleagues.
LSBU is responding proactively to the challenges highlighted by the study. Committed to making education accessible, the University has introduced initiatives such as the Personal Development Plan, which allows students to share their needs throughout their studies. LSBU has also implemented flexible assessment deadlines - a change that has already led to a significant improvement in pass rates.
“We are unapologetic about challenging orthodoxy in higher education and have relentless focus on ensuring that we make education accessible to our students,” said Professor Tony Moss, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at LSBU.
“It’s critical that we respond directly to the realities of student experience, because we risk seeing inequalities of outcome grow, rather than shrink, over time. I welcome the publication of the Student Working Lives report and was pleased that London South Bank University was able to support this important work.”
Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, added: “We cannot continue designing and delivering a higher education system around the ideal of the full-time residential student when they are now the minority. Students are working incredibly hard to secure their future success, and they deserve a system that supports their efforts.
“That means honest communication about the real cost of study, maintenance support that reflects actual living expenses, and more flexible teaching models that recognise the realities of modern student life.”