Is there an impact on academic studies and the student experience when students undertake paid employment while in full time study?

Cavill, Lynette 2014. Is there an impact on academic studies and the student experience when students undertake paid employment while in full time study? MPhil Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The recent phenomenon that high numbers of full-time students in the UK participate in term time paid employment has become a feature of the current higher educational landscape. A major contributory factor is the revised funding for higher education, placing a higher portion of the funding onto the individual. While student paid employment is seen in many Western societies, the structure of a full-time degree in the UK means there is a much higher workload for academic studies. This has given rise to concerns that alongside the beneficial aspects of paid employment are negative connotations, which impact on academic achievement and student experience. These concerns are associated with equality and student retention. This research considers the impacts of paid employment for full-time students, whether there are characteristics in the employment that facilitate any detrimental impacts, whether there are vulnerable groups in the student population that will be most affected by these. The study used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, surveys to consider what is happening, interviews and diaries to examine why this is happening. The study acknowledged beneficial aspects to student paid employment, but also identified negative impacts to both academic studies and the student experience. These were associated particularly with term time paid employment, in addition to the amount of hours undertaken. Social class was also identified to contribute, with student time management a major issue. Parental contributions are becoming increasingly important to students to fund their degree. A relatively new concept of social contracts between students and their parents appears to be evolving over recent years, making them become joint agents within the decision-making and choices students are making regarding paid employment. Data analysis is utilised to make recommendations for government, policymakers and universities regarding how negative impacts may be minimised.

Item Type:	Thesis (MPhil)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Funders:	ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	02 Jan 2024 16:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/60853

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