Impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis on Student Mental Health

“Students more resilient – but the cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard”, according to new research

Four in five students (80%) feel that the cost-of-living crisis has impacted their overall university experience, at least moderately, according to a UK Student Wellbeing Survey commissioned by global leaders in online study success solutions Studiosity.

In the research among 2,050 students published last month, 77% are greatly or somewhat concerned about not being able to afford to do so much socially, 67% are worried by having to sacrifice study time to do paid work instead, and 67% are anxious about the prospect of having to pick up an extra job to pay the bills.

The Further Impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis

Other cost-of-living issues include not being able to afford the food shop (64%), not being able to afford to put the heating on and pay rent (60%), and not being able to buy necessary course materials (48%).

A further 40% report feeling stressed from studying constantly (more than twice a day) or daily but, despite a 14% decrease from the 2021 survey, 57% of students have still considered dropping out of university. Only 43% have positive feelings towards the support the university offers (57% negative/neutral).

Despite the negative impact of the cost-of-living crisis, 81% describe their overall wellbeing as good/OK, and 52% say the pandemic has made them more resilient. In fact, 73% of students feel confident in their ability to study at university level, and 65% are very likely/likely to choose the same university again.

Two-thirds of students (66%) found their university experience in 2021-22 in line with or better than their expectations – but 49% think it will be harder in the current climate to find a job after graduating.

“Students are really feeling the crunch as a result of the cost-of-living crisis,” said Isabelle Bristow, Studiosity’s Managing Director for UK and Europe. “To try to combat rising costs, students are picking up more paid work alongside their degrees which is reducing the time they have to study and socialise. As a result, students are in need of 24/7 access to additional feedback and support, whenever and wherever they want it, when they are now burdened with extra responsibilities. What is encouraging to see is students are typically more resilient as a result of the pandemic and banding together to support each other emotionally and academically.”

Other Key Sector Findings

• Most likely to be stressed by studying daily: Females, undergraduates, UK students, and ages 19-20. Those who describe their current wellbeing as poor are significantly more likely to be feeling stressed constantly. Females are significantly more likely to find the amount of study the most stressful part of studying.

• Most likely to feel anxious, isolated, experiencing self-doubt or unmotivated about studying alone: Undergraduates (especially first years), UK students, and ages 18 and under.

• Most likely to consider quitting their course whilst struggling to study alone: Females, undergraduates, and UK students. Despite this, over half of males and half of international students have still considered dropping out. Those who feel the support from their university is poor are more likely to have considered quitting.

• UK students are significantly more likely to find the amount of study and balancing work/life commitments the most stressful part of studying compared to international students. EU/international students are significantly more likely to find dealing with more responsibility on their own and paying for university the most stressful part.

• Most likely to feel that 24/7 online study support would help them to combat study stress issues: Females, undergraduates, and UK students. Separately, males are more likely than females to say they haven’t needed study help after class/off campus.

• Undergraduate students are significantly more likely to find the amount of study the most stressful part of studying, while postgraduate students are significantly more likely to find paying for university the most stressful part.

• 85% of students feel confident to submit their work knowing they have not plagiarised. Most likely to feel confident: Males, older students, and those who feel supported by their university. Less likely: females, younger students, those who have considered dropping out, and those who describe their wellbeing as poor.

Regional Findings

• Students who live in London are most likely to feel resilient following the pandemic and least likely to have considered dropping out. Those in the East of England are most likely to say that university has been worse than expected.

• Students who are based in the North East are most likely to rate their wellbeing as poor, are more likely to be worried about picking up an extra job to pay the bills, and least likely to have spoken to university support services.

• Students in the North West are most likely to agree that they belong at their university and are most likely to pick their university again.

• Students in the South East are significantly more likely to agree that they are capable of studying at university level than in other regions.

• Students in the Midlands and the North East are more likely to be worried about not being able to afford to do as much socially.

• Students in Yorkshire and the Humber are most likely to have their university experience affected a lot by the cost-of-living crisis.

• Students in Scotland are significantly more likely to be feeling stressed constantly, more likely than others to have considered quitting their course, and less likely to feel confident about submitting their work knowing they have not plagiarised than all other regions. They are, however, more likely to have spoken to university support services.