The drop-out generation: Half of Scots students can't afford to study

Published on Tuesday 31 August 2010 14:26

THE largest ever study of Scottish students will reveal more than half cannot survive financially over the summer, sparking fears of a soaring drop-out rate this year.

Record numbers of students applying for a university place, combined with a lack of part-time jobs in the economic downturn, mean this could be the toughest year yet for students, the report states.

The study of student hardship by the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, not yet published, will show nearly two-thirds can't find a job and 54 per cent have been forced to turn to high-cost credit cards.

It will also reveal 65 per cent have struggled to find any kind of work to support them over the vacation.

The figures have been seen by The Scotsman in advance of the publication of the major study on student finance called Still in the Red.

Due for public release next Monday, the report reveals figures on the level of commercial debt students experience.

It will also lay out the pressures on parents to support their children's education and how many students are on the brink of dropping out if they sink any further into debt.

Liam Burns, President of NUS Scotland, said: "It's shocking that over half of students in Scotland do not have enough money to get them through the summer holidays.

"Education isn't free in Scotland. Many students are paying their way through by borrowing money on credit cards, bank loans or other commercial debt.

"If students are unable to pay this off over the summer, then I have real fears that we could see increased student hardship and ultimately increased drop out this coming year."

He added: "In the past students have been able to plug the gap by taking on paid work over the summer but given the recession this crucial source of income has been cut off for many."

NUS Scotland has long called for "urgent reform" of the system and fundamental long-term changes saying students should be guaranteed a minimum income of around 7,000.

A bone of contention is that English students are able to borrow greater sums.

Des McNulty, Labour education spokesman, said: "These figures remind us of the urgent need for action on the fundamental issues facing higher education in Scotland.

"Under the SNP, there are over a thousand fewer funded university places this year than last and many students are still struggling to make ends meet.

"We believe that the long-term issues surrounding student support need to be considered alongside the issue of university funding in a broad ranging independent review."

NUS Scotland asked more than 7000 students in Scotland how they coped over the summer holiday period.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are operating in a tremendously difficult economic climate.However, the Scottish Government is committed to sustaining and supporting the quality of our universities and colleges and have demonstrated this commitment by handing them a real terms increase in funding this year and the last."