Channel 4, Credit Cards and Time Behind Bars

Student Life Today in England and Wales

Today's students struggle to make ends meet, with part-time work now the norm and debt increasing, according to a major survey of attitudes towards student life conducted for the Times Higher Education Supplement.

Despite the debts, most students are happy with their decision to enter higher education, believing it will benefit their future careers. Few would choose to go straight into work if they had their time again.

The survey also reveals the celebrities who students believe most closely reflect British Youth today. On the shortlist, Michael Owen, Robbie Williams, Denise van Outen and Ewan McGregor.

To relax, students typically watch soaps, sport and "The Simpsons" on TV, tuning into Channel 4 more frequently than any other channel. Many also put down their textbooks and turn to a bestselling book for fun.

Technical details

MORI interviewed 599 undergraduates at the start of the Autumn 1998 term.