Hardship funding demand continues as cost of living worsens

The PIE News 13 January 2023

At least seven British universities paid out more than £100,000 (US$121,800) in hardship funding to international students during the 2021-22 academic year, with one dishing out almost £1 million to struggling students. But some are now rolling back support despite the cost-of-living crisis, writes Helen Packer for The PIE News.

Some English universities spent three-figure sums on supporting non-UK students facing financial difficulties in 2020-21, including Leeds (£145,630), Brunel (£155,377) and Durham (£100,611). The University of Exeter spent £968,367 on hardship funding for international students, almost double the amount it had paid out the previous year (£534,598). The university received over 1,600 requests for support from non-domestic students, the majority of which were granted.

The PIE collected these figures from a sample of universities across the UK via freedom of information requests. The results show uneven approaches to providing financial help to non-UK students, despite guidance from Universities UK International advising institutions to ensure all international students are eligible for some form of hardship support.
Full report on The PIE News site

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