According to a recent survey, there has been a significant surge in the number of students who are experiencing financial turmoil since 2019. The pandemic has made matters worse for many struggling students, as they face unexpected expenses, job losses, and decreased financial aid. In this article, we will explore in detail the findings of the survey and the growing financial difficulties that are affecting students across the country.
According to a new report issued by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), 33% of university and college students are experiencing “serious” financial problems. The report, called Eurostudent, noted that accommodation is the biggest expense, with average monthly rents hitting €469, which is up from €415 since the last report was conducted in 2019. The HEA surveyed over 21,000 students on their social and living conditions to compile the report.
The Eurostudent report has highlighted the scale of financial hardship experienced by students as a “cause for concern.” The percentage of students who stated that they faced serious financial difficulties has risen significantly from 26% in 2019 to 33% in this report. The survey found that most students (57%) are working part-time jobs during term time to keep up with their expenses.
The average monthly income for all students surveyed in the report was €1,122. However, the average monthly expenditure was €1,340, meaning that for many students, their outgoings exceed their income. As such, most students rely on financial support from their family or their partner (in the case of older students) to fill this gap.
The report states that female students are more likely to be employed than male students, with the majority working to cover their living costs. Nearly half of the full-time students who participated in the survey said that they wouldn’t be able to afford to study without their current job.
The pandemic has also negatively impacted the student population’s mental health and motivation. The majority of students (59%) reported that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their motivation, and 58% expect a negative impact on their mental health. Female students were more likely than male students to report such an impact, while younger students reported negative expectations of the pandemic’s impact on their mental health.
Despite these findings, the report did reveal that students overall are relatively happy, with 56% stating they are either happy or extremely happy, while only 3% stated they were extremely unhappy.
The study found that postgraduate students spent more time on personal study, clocking almost 25 hours per week, compared to undergraduates, who spent an average of 18 hours a week. Additionally, the report demonstrates that higher levels of parental education and wealth are linked to direct entry into higher education.
The report reveals that just 4% of Irish students participate in temporary study abroad programs, with 5% preparing for a study period abroad. The most commonly cited barriers to participating were finances, time away from family, and language competence. The study noted that the number of students enrolled in Irish higher education has increased by 6% since 2019. The largest proportion of students are full-time, domestic undergraduates under the age of 23.
In a foreword to the report, HEA chief executive Dr. Alan Wall emphasized the need for greater flexibility in higher education programs to meet the learning needs of all citizens. He also called for the promotion of access to higher education for disadvantaged groups, stating that it would be particularly important to meet the high-level skills needs of employers as Irish enterprise moves up the value-chain. Furthermore, Dr. Wall emphasized that enhancing the internationalization of higher education is a national priority for Ireland, and improving the rate of outward mobility of Irish staff and students will be an essential part of this.
