Students 'too busy working off debts to study'

A study of university undergraduates published today reveals that more than half admit to producing poor quality assignments because of the time they spend working to offset their debts.

The study, by Universities UK, the umbrella body that represents vice-chancellors, offers the first hard evidence of the impact debt is having on students' academic performance. A second study also confirms that fear of debt is discouraging students from poorer backgrounds from applying to university – threatening the Government's stated aim of getting 50 per cent of youngsters into higher education by the end of the decade.

Both studies come at an embarrassing time for ministers, in the run-up to a higher education blueprint next month, which is almost certain to demand further contributions from students.

Of the 2,000 undergraduates interviewed, more than half said they produced poor quality assignments because of having to work. Forty-three per cent said they produced poor quality assignments occasionally while 8 per cent said this happened frequently. Almost two-thirds said they worked more than 11 hours a week, while 15 per cent said they worked more than 21 hours a week.

Professor Diana Green, vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, who headed the group that produced the report, said: "What this survey shows is there is a need for some form of up-front payment for students from the poorest homes to encourage participation."