The cost of living and an accommodation crisis is overshadowing the first fully in-person freshers’ week post-Covid, student leaders have warned.
The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland fears the difficulties faced by students living away from home will impact their mental health, their studies and their ability to find new friends.
Research earlier in the year by NUS Scotland found students were already being stretched to breaking point, and a new UK-wide survey published this week by Save The Student found that 52% had thought about dropping out due to money worries.
The National Student Money Survey 2022 also found that one in 10 student respondents had used a food bank in the last academic year. Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland president, said: “For a lot of students it is their first in-person freshers’ week. It’s an exciting time for a lot of students but takes place in the shadow of the looming crisis.
“There’s stress, worry, and anxiety over not knowing if they’ll be able to find somewhere to live or that they’ll be able to even afford being a student for the rest of the year.”
NUS Scotland’s research in February found direct links between students experiencing poverty, poor mental health and not being able to complete studies. It found 12% of all students had experienced homelessness since starting their studies, and that a third had considered dropping out due to financial difficulties.
Gomersall said: “That research was done before this cost-of-living crisis, so it’s only going to get worse over the coming months. If a student is struggling financially they’re going to be focusing more on how they’re going to pay the bills and getting a part-time job than they will be on actually studying, doing their assignments, and seeing classmates and friends. That has a really significant impact on their mental health and results.”
© SYSTEMFinancial strain is also putting at risk the social aspect of university and college, particularly during formative events like freshers’ week.
It is traditionally a time where many new social connections are made, with students meeting new friends and finding groups to get involved with.
It is also where students’ associations can invite people to see what services they can access such as wellbeing assistance and financial support.
“A lot of the learning does take place outside of the classroom,” Gomersall said. “For a lot of students this will be their first time living independently and meeting completely new people. Those social interactions are absolutely critical in terms of their own personal development.
“With this cost-of-living crisis, I think a lot of students are missing out on being able to go and take part in these social opportunities and missing classes.
“It’s really worrying for so many students who will be missing out on all the elements of university and college that they have probably been really excited to be able to take part in.”
The issues are exacerbated, the union says, by shortages in places to live for students already committed to courses for the year ahead.
Last week, it emerged some students unable to find accommodation were being told by the University of Glasgow to consider deferring or even withdrawing from their studies.
“The key is quality, affordable accommodation,” Gomersall said. “It’s not a new problem. We’ve seen shortages year after year after year. With the cost-of-living crisis, I think that’s really starting to hit its peak.
“We’re calling on universities to commit to increasing the amount of student housing they provide on campus if they’re increasing the amount of student numbers that they’re offering places to.”
NUS Scotland also says those on the maximum support package would be left with just £20 a week to live off after paying the average rent in Scotland.
Welcoming the rent freeze, the union has also called on the Scottish Government to accelerate its pledge to bring student support up to the level of the real living wage, and to expand concessionary travel, currently in place for those under 22, to all students.
Gomersall said: “Students are in crisis right now. We need that student support package with the increased cost of living as soon as possible.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe