UEA tells us more students are doing part-time work to foot their bills
A report's found that around 40% of undergraduates across the UK have considered dropping out, due to the cost of rent
Reps at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are telling us they're seeing more students take up part-time work alongside their studies, in an effort to make sure they can pay their bills.
It's after a report by the website 'Save the Student' found that around 40% of undergraduates across the UK have considered dropping out, due to the cost of rent.
The survey, featuring over one thousand students in the UK, also found that nearly two in three say they're struggling to keep up with their rent, while more than a third said they had issues with damp in their housing.
"Being proactive in terms of getting feedback from students is so important"
Lucy Kemp is Head of Holistic Student Experience at UEA:
"Homelessness doesn't necessarily mean a problem with finance, it could mean something bigger. That's why we're being proactive in terms of getting feedback from students is so important, to us. We have six dedicated advisors that specialise in finance, for example.
"We developing more partnerships with local landlords, so they can hopefully make some good decisions when it comes to moving off campus.
"We run a range of schemes to ensure that students are ready to make that move. That includes making sure they know their rights, if things don't work out.
"It means that's not always the case"
"With more taking on part-time work, it's prompted us to do more education pieces on time management. While also focusses on the importance of rest and relaxation.
"We are seeing more students living off campus as well now. It might be that their rent per week is cheaper this way but with the additional costs they have to face in terms of travel, fuel and energy - it means that's not always the case."
What's the government doing to help?
A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said:
"We know students have continued to face financial challenges, which is why we are increasing loans and grants for living and other costs for a further year.
"Tuition fees will also be frozen for the seventh year running to reduce the initial amount of debt students will take on.
"To support students further we are providing an additional £10 million to the Office for Students to help students who are struggling financially or with their mental health.
"This is in addition to the £276 million of Government support that universities can draw on for hardship support and the £3,700 worth of support provided on average per household over the last two years to help with the cost of living.
"Our student finance system ensures that the highest levels of support are targeted at students from the lowest-income families. However, if students are worried about their circumstances, they should speak to their university."