Rising costs of living to force 40% of students into working part time
Nearly half of all University of York students will be juggling their degrees with part-time work at the start of the 2008/09 academic year, according to a recent survey.
NatWest’s annual Student Living Index survey showed that four in 10 of York’s student population, or 5,308 students, will be in part-time employment to help pay their way through university, with many claiming it would be too expensive without additional income.
The research analyses how much students spend on accommodation and living costs against how much they earn from part-time jobs. NatWest questioned 2,600 undergraduates from 26 university towns and cities across the UK.
York was placed 23rd for cost-effectiveness, only coming above Swansea, Manchester, Southampton and Exeter.
Students in work during their time at York will collectively earn a total of £10million a year, while their combined cost of living has risen to £104m.
The survey found the cost of living and the current economic climate is a key factor for 5% of students across the UK in deciding where to go to university. It is a factor for only 3% of York students.
York undergraduates spend approximately £46m on rent, £11 million on alcohol, £7 million on supermarket food shopping and £3 million on their mobile phone bills.
The average York student spends £212 per week on living and housing costs and will have weekly earnings adding up to £65 from a part-time job.
Nearby in Leeds, the average student spends £240 per week and makes £99 from term-time employment. Although the average cost of living at York is low in comparison to other universities, students earn less than their peers, resulting in a low cost-effectiveness rating.
Plymouth is the most cost-effective place to study with the average Plymouth student spending £217 a week on living and housing costs, but making £115 a week from part-time work. In contrast, Plymouth’s counterparts in Exeter will spend £294 per week, but earn just £67 making it the least cost-effective university town.
The survey also took into account the number of hours worked by students. On average, York students work 12 hours per week, just below the national average of 14. Students in Portsmouth work the most hours each week, averaging about 18.45 hours.
YUSU Academic and Welfare Officer Charlie Leyland said: “The best thing you can do is to sit down with all of your financial information: how much interest free overdraft you have, the incoming of loans, any additional income against rent costs, living costs, and other things like phone bills, socialising and make sure that it’s realistic. If there is a shortfall and you feel that you cannot free up some money then get advice, don’t ignore it. There are hardship loans available from both YUSU and the University if you get stuck”.
Mark Worthington, head of student banking at NatWest, said: “Students are increasingly aware of the wider economic climate and this is filtering down into their decisions when they are choosing their university and also when deciding whether to take a job during term-time.”
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This estimate is particularly true of students and single people without families. Janelle Living