Student working lives
Think tank: HEPI
Author(s): Professor Adrian Wright; Dr Mark Wilding; Mary Lawler; Martin Lowe
November 20, 2025
This report from UK think tank HEPI reveals the hidden realities of student employment in UK higher education.
A landmark study exploring the growing prevalence and impact of paid work among students in UK higher education, and which demonstrates the hidden realities of the student experience, has today been launched by the Higher Education Policy Institute and the University of Lancashire in partnership with three other universities.
Student Working Lives (HEPI Report 195) has been written by Professor Adrian Wright, Dr Mark Wilding, Mary Lawler, Martin Lowe and offers a comprehensive analysis of how paid work is reshaping the student experience as students juggle study, work and caregiving responsibilities.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens and maintenance support fails to keep pace, paid work has become a necessity rather than a choice for the majority of students. The report, developed by the University of Lancashire’s Institute for Research in Work, Organisations and Employment, in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and three other universities, suggests two-thirds (66%) of students work to cover their basic living costs while 26% of students work to support their families.
Most are employed in low-paid and flexible sectors, such as health and social care, retail, and hospitality. Furthermore, the study found students work an average of 17 hours a week in paid work, with an overall workload of 50 hours, inclusive of academic work and to travel time.
The key findings of the report are: Impact on study – students who worked under 20 hours per week are more likely to be on track for good honours. Job quality matters – students in flexible, supportive and more meaningful roles are significantly more likely to achieve good honours degrees. Students are time poor – students are working so many hours that studies often come second, with many missing out on core academic and extracurricular experiences. Casual contracts and low pay dominate – 38% of students are on zero-hours or casual contracts and 43% report stress, anxiety or depression caused or worsened by work. Workplace support is lacking – only 32% of students feel supported by their managers and just 38% by colleagues.
