Almost half of students work during term time to pay the bills, the NUS claimed recently. According to a new survey, 8 out of 10 students work at one point or another while at University, with 46 % forced to work in an effort to cover living expenses.

The situation is bound to get worse, as the study was carried out before the current credit crunch drove up the price of food. Aaron Porter, the NUS’ Vice President for Higher Education commented, “Inflation is effectively 50% higher for students than for the rest of society – many of them will have to work longer and longer hours just to get by.”

However, it isn’t all bad news, as many work simply to be able to afford more holidays or nights out. This goal is significantly helped by the average student earning £6.45 an hour, being well above the current minimum wage.

Problems do remain with the hours most students work. Half work at least two shifts, or 16 hours a week, during term time, with a good 20% working up to 24 hours a week. Many also think that having to balance work and studies influences their grades for the worse, and 4 out of 10 say that work stops