Financial crisis and union strikes are rampant all over the country, but how are university students impacted by this economic upheaval?

By Nicole Haynes

28th February 2023

In the midst of a global pandemic, rising cost of living and extensive budget cuts, the UK has faced considerable challenges over recent years. Students are particularly impacted by this, balancing the aftermath of remote learning, staff strikes and expensive living costs.

This month university staff across England are striking and are set to continue well into March. With 150 universities impacted and 70,000 staff taking industrial action, student’s education is expected to remain heavily disrupted.

These strikes, alongside the soaring costs of living and the long impact of covid, leave some students questioning whether their studies are worth the expense. We met with some students to discuss the increasing challenges and changing economic climate.

Cost of Living

Over the past year, an increase in bills and food prices has significantly impacted students. The Sutton Trust reported that nearly a quarter of the 1000 students they surveyed said that they were less likely to complete their course due to financial pressures.

Students reported that they have turned to parents and family for financial aid, whilst others have resorted to hardship funds and skipping meals.

One second year student at the University of Birmingham reported working three different jobs just to keep up with costs.

They said: “The rise in prices is another thing to feel anxious about.

“It would have been useful if there was an increase in student loans to reflect the cost of living crisis.”

Similarly, another student reported having to increase their hours at their part time job in order to make ends meet. They also described additional hardships related to increased travel costs and public transport.

They said: “As a commuting student I’ve had to sometimes decide between staying home and missing class to save money.”

With essentials such as food, travel and heating being restricted, many students have turned to food banks and hardship funds to support themselves.

Swansea University Student’s Union launched their own food bank to support their students. A student officer reported that approximately 70 parcels were claimed within 30 minutes of the service opening.

A spokesperson from the National Union of Students described the situation as “heartbreaking” and said that “too many students are drowning under spiralling rental costs, energy bills and food prices.”

Student loans have not risen in correlation with the cost of living, meaning that many students are having to find other means of providing for themselves.

A third year student from the University of Warwick said: “The cost of living crisis has definitely affected students disproportionately.

“The loan increases are not sufficient for rising rent prices, energy costs and food.”

He went on to add: “It’s almost impossible for someone to support themselves fully on the loan they get.”

Staff Strikes and Industrial Action

Eighteen days of strike action was announced earlier this month, set to continue until the end of March.

University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said: “Universities should use their vast wealth to deliver a cost-of-living pay rise and reverse devastating pension cuts.”

However, whilst staff are striking, campuses are shutting down and students are missing out on learning. Although students generally understand and support the strikes, the action is still disruptive.

A second year student from the University of Birmingham said that: “Most lecturers and teaching staff on my course strike, and with already minimal contact hours it is very frustrating.”

“It also impacts when feedback is received, which is unhelpful especially for assignments that are designed to help for future ones, as by the time the feedback comes through it is often too late to help.”

Another student we spoke to suggested that their learning has been negatively impacted by industrial action, however they supported staff.

They said: “The reasoning behind the strikes is very important.”

More fortunate students described minimal disruption to their learning, with one describing “missing the odd lecture or two” and another saying that “the majority of my content has been delivered.”

The severity of disruption depends on specific tutors, classes and courses, rather than taking the form of a blanket cancellation of all seminars and lectures.

Regardless, many students are unfairly impacted by the industrial action and negotiations regarding pay, contracts and working conditions are yet to be resolved.

Talks between the UCU and Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) are undergoing currently via the conciliation service Acas.

Grady said: “Students are standing with us because they know that staff working conditions are their learning conditions.”

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Job security is a significant concern for lots of students, with many worried about entering a professional landscape in the midst of a recession.

A student from the University of Warwick discussed these anxieties and anticipated the difficulty of finding work in the current job market.

They said: “I feel anxious because of the increasing pressure to pay back loans post graduation.”

Another student from the University of Birmingham said he felt anxious about future prospects.

He said: “I have struggled mentally with the stress about finances.”

During a tumultuous period of strikes and economic recession, student’s mental health has declined.

Simon Williams, a senior lecturer at Swansea University, is studying the impact of the cost of living crisis on mental health.

He said: “We have seen a real uptick in mental health problems.

"Financially insecure students are more than five times as likely to feel as though their mental health has worsened.”

Various campaigns have been set up by universities to help combat these negative impacts, however the issue appears to be more systemic.