Part-time work ‘the norm’ as students’ money fears increase

Nearly nine in 10 incoming UK-based students expect to work during term time, according to a survey, with less than a quarter believing that they will have enough money to cover university costs.

The fifth annual Unite Student Applicant Index reveals for a second year in a row that most respondents are looking to earn alongside their studies, although this year’s figure of 87 per cent represents a slight dip on last year’s 89 per cent.

The figures suggest an entrenched shift towards the majority of students balancing degree study and part-time employment, although fewer in this year’s cohort expect to work as many as 16 hours – 32 per cent, compared with 37 per cent the year before.

“For today’s students, paid work is increasingly seen as a normal part of university life – alongside studying, building independence and preparing for future careers,” the authors of the survey report said.

Financial confidence is lower among this year’s respondents, with just 22 per cent believing that they will have enough money to cover their costs at university, compared with 27 per cent in the 2025 findings.

Once more, income from employment trumps grants or loans in terms of covering living costs. UK-based applicants are more likely to expect to rely on a combination of earnings and maintenance support than their international peers, who are more likely to anticipate relying on family support, inheritance and bank loans or overdrafts.

In turn, 42 per cent of applicants said financial issues were taking a toll on their mental health.

The report, produced in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), also includes the results of a question introduced for 2026, which asked applicants if they agreed with the statement “The cost of higher education is a worthwhile investment for me”.

Two-thirds, or 65 per cent, agreed, with just 10 per cent of those polled disputing the statement.

The findings strike a positive note after the British Social Attitudes survey earlier this month suggested that as much as two-thirds of the British public doubt that higher education is “worth the amount of time and money it usually takes”.

Overall, this year’s applicants seem to be approaching their time at university “with optimism”, researchers found, with 74 per cent saying that they expect to feel welcome, up from 64 per cent.

But researchers also note that confidence has “softened” in several key areas, including in well-being and resilience. One such fall is the drop in strong agreement with “I have a clear idea of my goals”, with 48 per cent certain of the statement in 2025 versus 44 per cent this year.

Learning confidence has also dipped, with the proportion of applicants strongly agreeing that their course is a good fit for them dropping by two percentage points to 58 per cent, and those saying that they are sure they will complete their course falling from 65 per cent to 62 per cent.

Nick Hillman, chief executive of Hepi, said those on the “cusp” of their university experience are “increasingly well prepared for the realities of undergraduate life”.

“But they also face real well-being challenges, given it is such a hard time to be young,” he added. “Our hope is the new survey results help everyone ensure the next wave of freshers are able to meet their full potential.”

Joe Lister, the chief executive of accommodation provider Unite Students, said this year’s applicants were “making clear, pragmatic decisions about university life – balancing study with part-time work – reflecting the reality that maintenance support has not kept pace with the rising living costs”.

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com