Rising cost of living puts pressure on students
A new report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has revealed that a third of Russell Group universities are operating food banks to help students with the rising cost of living. The report also found that one in 10 universities have been giving out food vouchers, and some institutions have also supported students through hardship funds and cost-of-living working groups.
The report follows surveys showing that students are considering dropping out of university or skipping meals to make ends meet. In England, the size of the maintenance loan – which is up to £8,400 a year – is the lowest in real terms in seven years, and has increased by only 2.8 per cent for the 2023-24 academic year, HEPI found.
In Wales, where students receive the highest support of any UK nation, the maintenance loan of up to £10,720 has increased broadly in line with inflation, by 9.4 per cent in 2023-24. In Scotland, the maximum available support of £8,000 a year remains less than in Wales and England, despite a planned rise of 11.1 per cent, while in Northern Ireland, maximum support is set to rise by 40 per cent to up to £9,492 for the new academic year.
Dr Simon Merrywest, director of student experience at the University of Manchester, said the report “raises important questions about whether universities should themselves be the ones to plug the growing gaps in student finance”. He added: “This report clearly highlights the strength and breadth of the response of the sector to the recent cost-of-living crisis, with co-created solutions between students and university leaders at its heart. The financial squeeze of the last two years has brought into even sharper relief pressures on students that have been growing for many years.”
Top universities offer food banks and vouchers
According to the HEPI report, top universities including Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Exeter, Liverpool, Nottingham, Southampton and Queen Mary University of London all advertise food banks on campus. Across all 140 universities surveyed, including Russell Group institutions, more than a quarter had a food bank.
The report also found that some universities have been giving out food vouchers to students who are struggling to afford groceries. For example, the University of Bristol offers a £25 voucher per week for up to six weeks for students who are experiencing financial difficulties due to Covid-19 or other reasons. The University of Leeds also provides food vouchers worth £15 per week for students who are self-isolating or facing hardship.
Some institutions have also partnered with local food banks or charities to provide food parcels or donations to students in need. For instance, the University of Oxford works with Oxford Food Bank and Oxford Mutual Aid to distribute food boxes to students who request them. The University of Glasgow collaborates with Glasgow City Mission and Glasgow South East Food Bank to support students who are facing food insecurity.
Other measures to help students with living costs
In addition to providing food banks and vouchers, some universities have also taken other measures to help students with living costs. These include:
- Offering discounted food and drinks on campus. For example, the University of Cambridge offers a 50 per cent discount on hot drinks and a 25 per cent discount on food items at its cafes and restaurants for students who bring their own reusable cups or containers.
- Providing financial assistance with healthcare costs. For example, the University of Edinburgh covers the cost of dental check-ups and eye tests for students who are eligible for bursaries or scholarships.
- Helping with travel costs. For example, the University of Warwick offers a free bus pass for students who live in Coventry and Leamington Spa and receive a full maintenance loan.
- Supporting digital access. For example, the University of Sheffield provides laptops and dongles for students who do not have access to suitable devices or internet connection for online learning.
Calls for government action
The HEPI report also called on the government to take action to address the cost-of-living crisis for students. It suggested that:
- The government should establish a cost-of-living taskforce that consults regularly with students and sector leaders.
- The Westminster and devolved governments should routinely increase the student maintenance loan in line with inflation.
- The government should review the adequacy and fairness of student finance across different nations and regions.
Josh Freeman, policy manager at HEPI and author of the report, said: “It is past time for the Westminster Government to address the real-terms decline in maintenance support, which leaves too many students at risk of deprivation – in what are supposed to be the best years of their lives.”
