Over a third of British students find jobs “online” to fund university life, new research has revealed.
Money saving website www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk has discovered that 23% of UK students who worked online to fund university life sold clothes, whilst 19% undertook “webcam work” and 11% worked in pornography.
A total of 2,764 British people were polled as part of the research, all aged 18 or over and either current university students or people who had graduated within the last five years.
“I am surprised to hear that so many students are working online”
The research process included presenting participants with a list of typical roles undertaken by students, which they then had to choose as applicable to their situation.
Researchers compiled the responses to reveal that 44% of students with a job worked in retail work, 36% in online work, 31% in hospitality work, 25% in nightlife work and 13% in admin work.
Respondents who stated that they had done “online work” during their time at university were asked to disclose what that work involved. Again, students were presented with a list of typical roles undertaken online.
The results showed that 23% of students who made money online sold clothes, 19% undertook webcam work, 14% of students blogged and 11% of students were involved in pornography.
“I have to say that I am surprised at the amount [of students] that are doing online work of a sexual nature”
When asked why they had turned to the Internet to fund their university experiences, 31% of students stated that their student loan did not cover their rent, 24% of students said they wanted the extra money and 19% said they enjoyed the work. 12% suggested that they could not find any other work.
Kaitlin Clarke, a second year Nursing student, told Impact: “I am really surprised to hear that so many students are working online. I had not thought about it before but it seems that a lot of university students are turning to the Internet to earn money.”
George Charles of VoucherCodesPro.co.uk said: “It is really important for students to get part time work whilst at university, as many student loans do not cover rent, bills or the cost of living.”
He added: “I am not massively surprised that some [students] are turning to online work, but I have to say that I am surprised at the amount that are doing online work of a sexual nature.
“It is, however, good to see that students are being financially aware and responsible.”
According to the results of the survey, on average, students with an online job make £189 a week.
Tamsin Parnell
Image: OTA Photos via Flickr
