A survey by Roar on student employment found that half of the respondents felt their income does not cover basic London living costs, and a third that it “barely” does so.
Respondents generally felt negative about working while studying. Comments ranged from it reducing time spent on academics, to concerning replies about mental well-being.
One student stated that they “never get to study,” and another said, “It gives me less time to do my readings and I have to schedule my studying around it.”
Students also said they needed a job as they lacked the resources to study at home. For instance, a participant told Roar that they “have a computer at work so [they] can do [their] reading.”
Working while studying was also said to affect mental well-being.
A student told Roar, “I feel alienated from richer domestic and international students who can make the most of social life, study and downtime while I can’t.”
80% of respondents said they work in retail or hospitality. However, 10% said they had considered precarious employment that puts themselves at risk (e.g. Deliveroo, Uber), and just under 10% stated they had used such apps for work once or twice.
Precarious employment can be defined as any job that is unstable and short-term, with poor job security.
When asked why, one student said it is “hard to find work as a student”, and another that “experience [was] needed in some cases (unpaid) and working for money (sham self-employment).”
For other respondents, the consequences were far more severe. One participant stated:
“I would starve to death. My parents subsidise me but I have too much pride not to pay for myself.”
Despite the potentially dangerous situations some King’s students find themselves in for work, working while studying was necessary for the majority of respondents.
73.3% said if they did not work, alternative funding or a student maintenance loan would not be enough to cover their living expenses.
Roar asked participants about their experience with King’s funding, and only 26.6% said they had applied for funding through King’s.
Responses about the quality of this service from those who have applied were varied. Some were positive about the support they had received, particularly in relation to King’s Affordable Accommodation Scheme (KAAS).
One student said, “KAAS means that when my income and my maintenance loan are factored together, I can afford to live.”
Another said, “I lived in halls in 1st year and was on KAAS – I wouldn’t have been able to afford to live in without it.”
The King’s Living Bursary was also noted as useful on two occasions.
However, there were still students who criticised King’s funding support, saying they were “still waiting for it” and that it was helpful but “barely.”
Another respondent noted that while KAAS was “very helpful” for them, they were “aware how this wouldn’t be accessible to most who need [it].”
Little hope was expressed for how students struggling in this situation can be helped. Many respondents simply stated “money” or “more bursary.”
However, one participant did suggest that support from teaching staff needs to be improved.
“I think some teachers need to adjust their attitudes toward students who work. I absolutely love my course but have had to sacrifice learning, especially readings, to work the hours required to fund my life as a student.” They continued, “Staff have often seemed to take offence to this, which has been upsetting, as this is something out of my control.”
The Guardian collated experiences from students on part-time work back in 2017, receiving varied responses from students.
One student in the study by The Guardian, Dominique, stated, “Working at university was one of the best things I ever did,” while another, Lisa, said that working while studying was so detrimental that without it she “could have got a better degree [grade].”
The Guardian shared the story of master’s student, Ellen, who said, “Universities should be more aware and better equipped to deal with this issue.”
In a similar vein, a respondent to Roar‘s questionnaire noted that staff need to shift their “attitudes”.
8 years on from The Guardian’s survey, students still feel more must be done by universities to support students.
A 2024 survey of 10,000 full-time UK undergraduates by the Higher Education Policy Institute found 56% had paid employment while they were studying, with a working average of 14.5 hours per week. The cost of living crisis has encouraged more students to work, accentuating the issues of student poverty.
For most of King’s working students, the challenge is in balancing their mental wellbeing and study in the UK’s most expensive city.
A King’s College London spokesperson said:
“We know the cost of living in London can be challenging. In addition to Student Finance loans and grants, we offer hardship funds and scholarship/bursary funding opportunities (including the King’s Living Bursary) for extra financial support, as well as providing lower-cost accommodation through King’s Affordable Accommodation Scheme. Our students’ wellbeing is our highest priority and advice and support is available. We recommend students talk to Specialist Advisors in the Money & Housing Advice team if they are facing financial pressures.”
