Student Living Report

The First Definitive Study of the "Student Experience"

The inaugural Student Living Report, published today, represents one of the most comprehensive quantitative survey of full time undergraduate and postgraduate students. The findings are derived from the first in-depth, definitive study of "student experience" including issues relating to academic studies, personal finances, accommodation, social life and post study aspirations.

The survey was commissioned by The UNITE Group plc, UK's leading specialist provider of student accommodation services and an independent provider of key worker accommodation for NHS Trusts.

MORI (Market & Opinion Research International), conducted the survey on behalf of UNITE, among 1,103 full time undergraduate and postgraduate students at 22 universities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland between 23 October and 15 November 2000. Interviews were conducted face-to-face at university sites.

Headline findings from the report show:

• By far the worst aspect of university life is having little money to spend and being in debt. On average, students currently owe and have to repay 1633,326 as a result of attending university, and predict that they will owe, on average, 1637,026 by the time they have completed their studies.
• Religion plays no part in almost half students' lives. However, 56% of students still believe in the institution of marriage."
• If there was to be a General Election tomorrow, Labour would win the largest proportion of the student vote with Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with just one percentage point between them for second place.
• One-fifth of students have been a victim of crime while at university.
• Only half of students plan to find a job in the UK once they have completed their current course.
• The majority of students have had some form of work experience during their time at university with 30% currently in a part time job. Working part-time is more likely than not to have had an adverse affect on their university needs.
• 4% of students have a WAP phone, double the number who own a motorbike or motorised scooter. One fifth (16%) spend their leisure time on the Internet and sending e-mails.
• Around half of university students currently live in private rented accommodation, one-fifth live in halls of residence, an identical proportion live with their parents or guardian and one in ten live in their own home.
• Two-fifths of students could not do one or more of the domestic activities specified such as cook, budget and iron before going to university.
• The majority of students do not view the Student Union as a political body but as a way of accessing the facilities and services they provide and obtaining discounted goods and services.
• Students continue to spend their spare time doing traditional 'student activities' such as going to the pub, meeting friends and watching TV. Two-fifths participate in sport, this is slightly higher among males (49%), females (38%).

Commenting on the Student Living Report, UNITE's Chief Executive, Nick Porter, said:

"Higher education students represent an important community as the future of the UK. Our survey is one of the most comprehensive study of their views, concerns and aspirations. It will help universities and businesses to understand their requirements and ensure that, as real consumers of the education system, their needs are met."

Professor Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of MORI, added:

"Today's students focus on gaining good qualifications to help them find the right job. While they are happy with their choice of university and recognise that university studies are a wise investment in their future, they are worried about their debts."

Today, UNITE also unveils its unique student accommodation information and booking service - www.bunk.com which is set to revolutionise the sourcing and booking of accommodation for both universities, who are expected to save an average of 16392,000, and for students who will save both time and expenses.

Technical details

MORI conducted 1,103 face-to-face interviews with full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students between 15th October and 23rd November 2000.