Annual Student Academic Experience Survey highlights growing impact of cost-of-living crisis

22 June 2023

In response to the Advance HE and HEPI annual Student Academic Experience Survey published today (Thursday 22 June), Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:

"Students have demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of a challenging few years, and we are pleased to see satisfaction with their academic experience has risen above pre-pandemic levels as campuses have returned to normal.

"However, it is clear that the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on students’ studies. It is particularly concerning that the number of students able to primarily fund their studies through maintenance loans continues to fall. This will be compounded in 2023/24 as maintenance loans for students in England increase by only 2.8%, far below current inflation levels.

"Universities are stepping up support for students, including providing millions of pounds of extra financial assistance alongside a range of other measures on campus. But additional Government support is needed, and we continue to urge it to address flaws in the maintenance loans system and uplift loans so they reflect actual inflation since 2020/21." 

Notes

• On 9 January 2023 the Russell Group warned that students stand to lose out on £1500 a year as maintenance loans fail to keep up with inflation.

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