Latest news with #HigherEducationPolicyInstitute
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Students in England now graduate with average debt of £53,000, data shows
Students in England are finishing their degrees with government loans averaging £53,000, a jump of 10% in a year, as they increase their borrowing to meet the rising cost of living. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has released figures showing individual loan balances were £5,000 higher in 2024-25 than a year earlier, when the average in England was £48,270. In comparison, students in Scotland – where undergraduate tuition remains free for local students – finished with just £17,000 in government loans. Those in Northern Ireland accrued £28,000 in debt and those from Wales £39,470. Rising costs also mean more students are taking on paid work during term time. A survey published by the Higher Education Policy Institute found 68% of full-time students worked for an average of 13 hours each week, the highest rate in the decade the survey has been conducted. The SLC reported that 62% of former students who are liable to repay their loans are in the UK tax system, with nearly 3 million (40%) making repayments averaging £1,100 in 2024-25. The government's total student loan book for England has hit £266bn, up from £64bn 10 years ago after the introduction of £9,000 annual tuition fees and loans. That figure will rise more quickly from next academic year after the government raised the tuition fee for domestic students from £9,250 to £9,535 from September. The extra income is unlikely to solve higher education's financial woes, as the government plans to reduce the number of international students and competition between universities for domestic students intensifies. Research by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education found that a quarter of the sector's leaders say their institution will need a 'complete overhaul' to survive the crisis. More than half of the leaders surveyed said financial stability was now their 'top institutional priority', while 28% said that international student recruitment was their most important activity. A new report by the Tony Blair Institute found that as tuition fees from UK students have been eroded by inflation, falling by nearly a third in real terms since 2012, many universities now rely on international student fees to cross-subsidise courses for domestic students. The institute warned that a group of universities are now vulnerable to changes to student visas that the UK government is considering as part of its immigration white paper, including a 6% levy on tuition fees, stricter compliance regulations and a reduction in the amount of time international students can spend working in the UK after completing their course. Alexander Iosad, the institute's director of government innovation policy, said universities with lower international rankings and former polytechnics had weaker finances and were most reliant on international students, putting them most at risk from any visa changes. The report says: 'As the government seeks to reform the immigration system, it is worth considering the interplay of these changes with the broader need to reform the higher education funding system so that it is put on a more sustainable basis.'
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Nearly 7,000 UK University Students Caught Cheating Using AI: Report
Nearly 7,000 university students in the UK were caught cheating using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools during the 2023-24 academic year, according to data obtained by The Guardian. As part of the investigation, the British newspaper contacted 155 universities under the Freedom of Information Act. Of those, 131 institutions responded. The latest figures show 5.1 confirmed cases of AI-related cheating for every 1,000 students, a rise from 1.6 per 1,000 the previous year. Early projections for the current academic cycle suggest the number could climb even higher to 7.5 per 1,000 students. The growing reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT is proving to be a major challenge for higher education institutions. At the same time, cases of traditional plagiarism have dropped. From 19 per 1,000 students in 2019-20 to 15.2 last year, the number has gone down and is expected to fall further to 8.5 per 1,000. Experts warn that the recorded cases may be only scratching the surface. "I would imagine those caught represent the tip of the iceberg," said Dr Peter Scarfe, associate professor of psychology at the University of Reading. "AI detection is very unlike plagiarism, where you can confirm the copied text. As a result, in a situation where you suspect the use of AI, it is near impossible to prove, regardless of the percentage AI that your AI detector says (if you use one). This is coupled with not wanting to falsely accuse students." Evidence suggests AI misuse is far more widespread than reported. A February survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that 88 per cent of students admitted to using AI for assessments. Researchers at the University of Reading tested their own systems last year and found AI-generated submissions went undetected 94 per cent of the time. Online platforms are making it easier. The report found dozens of videos on TikTok promoting AI paraphrasing and essay-writing tools that help students bypass standard university detectors by "humanising" ChatGPT-generated content. Dr Thomas Lancaster, an academic integrity researcher at Imperial College London, said, "When used well and by a student who knows how to edit the output, AI misuse is very hard to prove. My hope is that students are still learning through this process." Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle told The Guardian that AI should be used to "level up" opportunities for dyslexic children. Tech giants are already targeting students as key users. Google offers university students a free 15-month upgrade to its Gemini AI tool, while OpenAI provides discounted access to students in the US and Canada.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than two in three university students in paid jobs while studying
More than two in three full-time university students are now undertaking paid work during term time, a survey suggests. University undergraduates are spending less time on independent study as more take on jobs, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank and Advance HE report. A survey of 10,232 full-time undergraduates in the UK found that 68% had paid work while they were studying, up from 56% in 2024. The number of students working in term time has nearly doubled in a decade, with only 35% in paid employment in term time in 2015. The Student Academic Experience Survey 2025, carried out between January and March, suggests time spent on independent study has fallen significantly, from 13.6 hours per week in 2024 to 11.6 hours this year. Experts have suggested that cost-of-living pressures are affecting the student experience, and they say universities should consider how they can support students who are balancing multiple commitments. Students now spend an average of 39.8 hours per week in paid work and study, which is a slight fall from 41.7 hours per week in 2024, the survey found. But the report said the figures imply that 'something had to give' and the hours spent in employment have 'partly come at the expense of independent study time' which has declined significantly in the past year. The proportion of undergraduate students reporting that their course is good or very good value for money has dropped from 39% in 2024 to 37% this year. The report said: 'Students have faced some particular and ongoing challenges around the cost of living and needing to work for pay while at university, which has in turn put greater pressure on how the overall experience has been perceived in terms of value.' The findings come as university leaders have been warning of significant financial concerns caused by a drop in the number of international students, as well as frozen tuition fees paid by domestic students. A number of institutions across the UK have announced redundancies and course closures over the past year as a result of growing financial pressures. Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, said: 'Given the severe funding challenges, many students are struggling to pay their bills and institutions are often struggling to provide their students with what they expect, though both students and staff have also displayed considerable resilience in the face of adversity. 'The fact that a large majority of students now undertake paid work during term time, and often at a high number of hours each week, suggests the student experience is completely different to the norm when today's policymakers were in higher education.' More than one in 10 (11%) students said they would not enter higher education if they could decide again, compared with 6% last year. But the survey also found that 26% of students said they felt their experience had exceeded their expectations, which is an increase from 22% in 2024. Alison Johns, chief executive of Advance HE, said: 'While the higher education sector faces significant financial challenges, it's encouraging to see evidence of resilience in the student experience. 'The quality of teaching and assessment feedback remains strong, and more students are having their expectations exceeded than ever before. 'However, the striking increase in students undertaking paid work alongside their studies signals a fundamental shift – and institutions will be thinking carefully about how they accommodate this change. 'We need to consider how teaching, learning and support can evolve to better serve students who are balancing multiple commitments while maintaining academic quality.' The Government announced in November that undergraduate tuition fees in England, which have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017, will rise to £9,535 for the 2025-26 academic year. It also announced that maintenance loans will increase in line with inflation in the 2025-26 academic year to help students with their living costs. A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'These survey results demonstrate that universities continue to deliver high quality teaching, despite immense financial pressures. 'There has been a significant increase in students who feel their experience has exceeded their expectations, and high levels of satisfaction with the quality of teaching and assessment feedback. 'However, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting students hard, with increasing numbers taking up part-time work alongside study, creating less opportunity to engage with the wider student experience. 'Universities have stepped up their support by providing additional targeted hardship funding, digital technology so they can continue to learn flexibly, increased wellbeing and mental health support, access to discounted meals and other helpful initiatives. 'But to ensure that all students who want to are able to access and make the most of their time at university, we need the Government to do its bit to protect the student experience by urgently addressing the insufficient maintenance package.' A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: 'The dire situation we inherited has forced us to make tough decisions to put universities on a firmer financial footing, but we also recognise the challenges facing students and have increased maintenance loans in line with inflation to support them. 'We have also protected Strategic Priority Grant funding to boost access and participation, and are calling on universities to do more to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for disadvantaged students. 'We aim to publish our plans for HE reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy white paper in the summer, as we fix the foundations of higher education through our Plan for Change.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
More than two in three university students in paid jobs while studying
University undergraduates are spending less time on independent study as more take on jobs, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank and Advance HE report. A survey of 10,232 full-time undergraduates in the UK found that 68% had paid work while they were studying, up from 56% in 2024. The number of students working in term time has nearly doubled in a decade, with only 35% in paid employment in term time in 2015. The Student Academic Experience Survey 2025, carried out between January and March, suggests time spent on independent study has fallen significantly, from 13.6 hours per week in 2024 to 11.6 hours this year. Experts have suggested that cost-of-living pressures are affecting the student experience, and they say universities should consider how they can support students who are balancing multiple commitments. Students now spend an average of 39.8 hours per week in paid work and study, which is a slight fall from 41.7 hours per week in 2024, the survey found. But the report said the figures imply that 'something had to give' and the hours spent in employment have 'partly come at the expense of independent study time' which has declined significantly in the past year. The proportion of undergraduate students reporting that their course is good or very good value for money has dropped from 39% in 2024 to 37% this year. The report said: 'Students have faced some particular and ongoing challenges around the cost of living and needing to work for pay while at university, which has in turn put greater pressure on how the overall experience has been perceived in terms of value.' The findings come as university leaders have been warning of significant financial concerns caused by a drop in the number of international students, as well as frozen tuition fees paid by domestic students. A number of institutions across the UK have announced redundancies and course closures over the past year as a result of growing financial pressures. Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, said: 'Given the severe funding challenges, many students are struggling to pay their bills and institutions are often struggling to provide their students with what they expect, though both students and staff have also displayed considerable resilience in the face of adversity. 'The fact that a large majority of students now undertake paid work during term time, and often at a high number of hours each week, suggests the student experience is completely different to the norm when today's policymakers were in higher education.' More than one in 10 (11%) students said they would not enter higher education if they could decide again, compared with 6% last year. But the survey also found that 26% of students said they felt their experience had exceeded their expectations, which is an increase from 22% in 2024. Alison Johns, chief executive of Advance HE, said: 'While the higher education sector faces significant financial challenges, it's encouraging to see evidence of resilience in the student experience. 'The quality of teaching and assessment feedback remains strong, and more students are having their expectations exceeded than ever before. 'However, the striking increase in students undertaking paid work alongside their studies signals a fundamental shift – and institutions will be thinking carefully about how they accommodate this change. 'We need to consider how teaching, learning and support can evolve to better serve students who are balancing multiple commitments while maintaining academic quality.' The Government announced in November that undergraduate tuition fees in England, which have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017, will rise to £9,535 for the 2025-26 academic year. It also announced that maintenance loans will increase in line with inflation in the 2025-26 academic year to help students with their living costs. A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'These survey results demonstrate that universities continue to deliver high quality teaching, despite immense financial pressures. 'There has been a significant increase in students who feel their experience has exceeded their expectations, and high levels of satisfaction with the quality of teaching and assessment feedback. 'However, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting students hard, with increasing numbers taking up part-time work alongside study, creating less opportunity to engage with the wider student experience. 'Universities have stepped up their support by providing additional targeted hardship funding, digital technology so they can continue to learn flexibly, increased wellbeing and mental health support, access to discounted meals and other helpful initiatives. 'But to ensure that all students who want to are able to access and make the most of their time at university, we need the Government to do its bit to protect the student experience by urgently addressing the insufficient maintenance package.'
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
More than two in three university students in paid jobs while studying
University undergraduates are spending less time on independent study as more take on jobs, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank and Advance HE report. A survey of 10,232 full-time undergraduates in the UK found that 68% had paid work while they were studying, up from 56% in 2024. The number of students working in term time has nearly doubled in a decade, with only 35% in paid employment in term time in 2015. The Student Academic Experience Survey 2025, carried out between January and March, suggests time spent on independent study has fallen significantly, from 13.6 hours per week in 2024 to 11.6 hours this year. Experts have suggested that cost-of-living pressures are affecting the student experience, and they say universities should consider how they can support students who are balancing multiple commitments. Students now spend an average of 39.8 hours per week in paid work and study, which is a slight fall from 41.7 hours per week in 2024, the survey found. But the report said the figures imply that 'something had to give' and the hours spent in employment have 'partly come at the expense of independent study time' which has declined significantly in the past year. The proportion of undergraduate students reporting that their course is good or very good value for money has dropped from 39% in 2024 to 37% this year. The report said: 'Students have faced some particular and ongoing challenges around the cost of living and needing to work for pay while at university, which has in turn put greater pressure on how the overall experience has been perceived in terms of value.' The findings come as university leaders have been warning of significant financial concerns caused by a drop in the number of international students, as well as frozen tuition fees paid by domestic students. A number of institutions across the UK have announced redundancies and course closures over the past year as a result of growing financial pressures. Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, said: 'Given the severe funding challenges, many students are struggling to pay their bills and institutions are often struggling to provide their students with what they expect, though both students and staff have also displayed considerable resilience in the face of adversity. 'The fact that a large majority of students now undertake paid work during term time, and often at a high number of hours each week, suggests the student experience is completely different to the norm when today's policymakers were in higher education.' More than one in 10 (11%) students said they would not enter higher education if they could decide again, compared with 6% last year. But the survey also found that 26% of students said they felt their experience had exceeded their expectations, which is an increase from 22% in 2024. Alison Johns, chief executive of Advance HE, said: 'While the higher education sector faces significant financial challenges, it's encouraging to see evidence of resilience in the student experience. 'The quality of teaching and assessment feedback remains strong, and more students are having their expectations exceeded than ever before. 'However, the striking increase in students undertaking paid work alongside their studies signals a fundamental shift – and institutions will be thinking carefully about how they accommodate this change. 'We need to consider how teaching, learning and support can evolve to better serve students who are balancing multiple commitments while maintaining academic quality.' The Government announced in November that undergraduate tuition fees in England, which have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017, will rise to £9,535 for the 2025-26 academic year. It also announced that maintenance loans will increase in line with inflation in the 2025-26 academic year to help students with their living costs. A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'These survey results demonstrate that universities continue to deliver high quality teaching, despite immense financial pressures. 'There has been a significant increase in students who feel their experience has exceeded their expectations, and high levels of satisfaction with the quality of teaching and assessment feedback. 'However, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting students hard, with increasing numbers taking up part-time work alongside study, creating less opportunity to engage with the wider student experience. 'Universities have stepped up their support by providing additional targeted hardship funding, digital technology so they can continue to learn flexibly, increased wellbeing and mental health support, access to discounted meals and other helpful initiatives. 'But to ensure that all students who want to are able to access and make the most of their time at university, we need the Government to do its bit to protect the student experience by urgently addressing the insufficient maintenance package.'
