Education

Students’ money worries surveyed

Published

7 years ago

September 20, 2017

Freshers' fun: But at what price?

THE MOUNTING cost of student debt and accommodation means that UK students expect significantly more for their money than those in other countries.

42% of UK students say their university offers value for money – compared to 47% globally – according to a new global report by Sodexo.

This roughly tallies with the Higher Education Policy Institute student satisfaction survey, citing that five years ago 53% of students across the UK thought university was ‘good’ or ’very good’ value, a figure that has now slumped to 35%, its lowest level compared to five years ago.

The report provides a unique insight into the lives and lifestyles of students across the world, polling over 4,000 students in six markets (the US, China, India, Spain and Italy, as well as the UK).

More than half of UK students will have debts of between £30,000 and £59,999 by the time they graduate, compared to £11,345 in 2006 and £19,562 in 2010. In China, almost 70% of students will have no debt on graduation; in the US, 35%will be debt free compared to only 15% in the UK.

With the increasing cost of living and rising university fees, debt at graduation is naturally a concern for around a third of UK students, compared with a quarter globally. Equally, 34% of UK students are worried about their day to day finances to the extent that 31% skip meals and 1 in 4 (25%) admit to having not turned the heating on to save money. UK students are also the world’s likeliest to save money by walking instead of paying for transport (58%).

Compared to other markets, UK students are most likely to pay for their accommodation through a loan (40%) – over triple the global average (13%) – and 69% pay between £300 and £699 per month, an increase of 19% compared to 2016.

Though UK student debt levels are high by global standards, worries may be kept in check because the loan system means repayments only begin once an earnings threshold is reached.

The rising cost of being a student has meant that over a third (36%) of current students and those who graduated in 2016/2017 felt that they were unable to enjoy themselves at Freshers’ Week – compared to just 16% of those who graduated in 2015 or earlier.

Almost one in four (36%) current university students and those who graduated during the last year felt pressured to spend more money than they could afford during Freshers’ Week, compared to only 22% of those who graduated in 2015 or earlier.

Two fifths (44%) of current students and recent graduates named money as one of their biggest concerns before starting university, ranking higher than their concerns about grades (40%) or getting on with their new flat mates and enjoying their course (38%).

With pressure to enjoy themselves, students are spending more money than ever before. One in four (44%) students admitted to spending a large proportion of their student loan during Freshers’ Week compared to only 15% of those who graduated in 2015 or earlier.

Over a fifth (21%) of current students and recent graduates (2016/17) confessed to having spent over £500 during the week-long event, compared to 11% of those who graduated in 2015 or earlier.

Paul Anstey, CEO Schools and Universities for Sodexo UK & Ireland, added: “Against the backdrop of uncertainty in the UK higher education sector – as universities adapt to the introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework scoring system, the uncertainties of Brexit, a more competitive global higher education marketplace and a fall in UCAS applications for the first time in five years – Sodexo’s first International University Lifestyle Survey provides a unique insight into the current lives and lifestyles of students across the world.”

Education

Milestone for Welsh Education in Pembrokeshire as Ysgol Gymraeg Bro opened

Published

2 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EDUCATION Cabinet Secretary Lynne Neagle MS has officially opened Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, a new £13.9 million Welsh-medium primary school in Pembroke.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed for pupils aged three to 11, was funded through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, alongside the Welsh Medium Capital Grant, the Childcare Offer Capital Grant, and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro welcomed its first pupils last September and currently has 148 children enrolled. The development includes:

A 33-place full-day childcare provision available year-round

A 30-place nursery

A 210-place primary school

The Cabinet Secretary was greeted at the school today (Thursday, January 30) by Cllr Steve Alderman, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and Executive Headteacher Dafydd Hughes.

Mr Hughes said the investment from the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council had created an outstanding educational facility. He described it as “an exciting new chapter for Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire, following in the footsteps of Ysgol Hafan y Môr in Tenby and Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest.”

Before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, Lynne Neagle told pupils: “It is a privilege to officially open this fantastic new school and see first-hand how it will empower the learners at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, as well as providing Flying Start childcare.

“This investment, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, reflects our commitment to Welsh-medium education and meeting the Cymraeg 2050 targets. I’m grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council and everyone who has helped make this remarkable facility a reality.”

The Minister later toured the school, seeing the new facilities in action.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the new school marked a significant step forward in the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

“This is yet another historic day for the Welsh language in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “The opening of a brand-new Welsh-medium school to serve the south-west of the county is a hugely significant milestone and a fitting tribute to the strong foundations laid by the former Welsh stream of Ysgol Gelli Aur / Golden Grove School.

“Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro demonstrates that the status of the Welsh language is being fully supported by Pembrokeshire County Council, and my sincere congratulations go to all those who have worked to make this possible.”

The main contractors for the project were Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd.

Education

Future Jobs Wales expands with new career insights

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CAREERS Wales has launched updates to its Future Jobs Wales resource, expanding its real-time job market data to include nine new sectors.

The online tool provides up-to-date labour market information (LMI) for industries and regions across Wales, helping individuals make informed career decisions.

Through an interactive webpage, users can explore industry trends, in-demand skills, and key employers. The platform also allows users to compare job market data at local, Welsh, and UK levels.

The newly added sectors include:

Digital
Care
Creative arts, media and culture
Retail and customer service
Manufacturing
Education
Agriculture and land
Tourism, hospitality, sport and leisure
Public services

Users can access insights such as:

Industry growth or decline projections
Employment figures within each sector
Salary expectations
Jobs currently in demand and future projections
Skills required for different roles

Emma Blandon, head of digital and communications at Careers Wales, said: “We’re thrilled to have further expanded our Future Jobs Wales resource.

“Information around job trends and future demand can be hugely empowering for those planning their next steps. By delivering up-to-date LMI, this tool helps individuals make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and navigate the evolving job market with confidence.

“Whether you’re starting your career, looking to upskill, or planning your next move, this resource is an invaluable asset for building a brighter future.”

For more information or to access Future Jobs Wales, visit the Careers Wales website.

Education

Wales’ ‘best’ nursing college earmarked for closure in sweeping cuts

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff University nursing school at risk

THE PRESTIGIOUS Nursing School at Cardiff University, ranked the best in Wales and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023, faces potential closure as part of a major restructuring plan. The university has announced proposals to cut 400 jobs, discontinue several degree programmes, and possibly shut down academic schools, including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. These changes are subject to a 90-day consultation period.

The news has sent shockwaves through the academic and healthcare communities, with staff and students expressing outrage and concern.

Unions and government respond

University and College Union (UCU) representative Andy Williams described the scale of the proposed cuts as “devastating,” warning of their impact on the university, the city of Cardiff, and the wider region.

A Welsh Government spokesperson echoed these concerns, expressing disappointment that nursing courses could be discontinued. They stressed the importance of collaboration between Cardiff University, trade unions, staff, and students to address the challenges posed by these restructuring plans. The government is particularly concerned about sustaining the pipeline of trained nurses in Wales and is working with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to respond to the situation.

Impact on healthcare

Helen Whyley, Executive Director for Wales at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), criticised the proposed closure, highlighting the severe nursing shortages already affecting Wales. She noted that Cardiff University’s Nursing School plays a vital role in producing skilled nurses who serve communities across the region. “This decision could undermine efforts to address critical staffing challenges in the healthcare sector,” she said.

RCN Wales has vowed to respond formally to the consultation process, advocating for the preservation of nursing education in Wales. The union has warned that closing the school would have far-reaching implications for the profession, healthcare infrastructure, and local communities.

Future of nursing at risk

The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern, with stakeholders questioning the long-term impact on Wales’ healthcare system. As consultations continue, the future of Cardiff University’s Nursing School remains uncertain. The decision could significantly disrupt the nursing workforce, potentially leaving Wales ill-equipped to address the growing demands on its healthcare services.

This decision comes at a time of financial strain for higher education institutions, with Cardiff University citing budgetary pressures as the reason for the proposed changes. Critics argue that the closure of such a highly regarded institution would damage not only the university’s reputation but also the healthcare landscape across Wales.

Stakeholders await outcome

The potential closure has prompted calls for swift action to protect the future of nursing education in Wales. As consultations progress, unions, students, and healthcare leaders are urging Cardiff University to reconsider the plans.

The Herald will continue to monitor this developing story, providing updates on the implications of these cuts for Cardiff University, Wales’ nursing workforce, and the broader healthcare sector.