• A new report from the National Union of Students finds most parents contribute over £200 a month towards their child’s university living expenses. And 1 in 10 are contributing over £1000 a month.
• Parental income thresholds, the method used to determine how much loan a student receives, have been frozen since 2008.
• NUS: “this is the price of ambition in 2026 – and we need something to change”

The report identifies the urgent challenges facing universities today, as well as proposing solutions based on over 30 written submissions from students’ unions, universities, sector bodies, and individual experts. 

One third of students are struggling to pay housing costs. 17% of those are resorting to foodbanks.

A new survey from the National Union of Students has found that 14% of students used foodbanks in the 2023/24 academic year, compared to 7% in 2021/22.

New research published jointly by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Kaplan International Pathways and the National Union of Students (NUS) and undertaken by London Economics reveals the net benefits to the UK Exchequer of the Graduate Route visa scheme.

• NUS survey finds 73% of students do not think politicians value young people’s views
• 89% of students are registered to vote and 87% intend to vote
• Cost of living is students’ number one concern heading into the election

A National Union of Students (NUS) survey of more than 3,500 students has revealed the debilitating impact the cost of travel has on many students. 

• 20% have missed classes due to travel costs. 
• 35% have cut down on extracurricular activities; 35% have missed seeing family and 32% have skipped a meal due to travel costs. 

9 in 10 students’ mental health impacted by cost of living as confidence in government falls to record low.

New report sets out recommendations to help struggling students.

Maintenance support should be inflation-proofed and rent controls should be implemented to support students with the cost of living, according to policy proposals made by the National Union of Students (NUS).