Russell Group response to research into impact of cost of living on applicants

13 April 2023

In response to the UCAS research looking at the influence of cost of living pressures on applicant decision making, Chantel Le Carpentier, Policy Analyst at the Russell Group, said:

"This survey shines an important light on how the rising cost of living is affecting the decision making of applicants to university. It is positive that applicants remain committed to their university ambitions, but it is clear that financial pressures are having an impact in some areas, such as attendance at open days. Many Russell Group universities have put measures in place to help mitigate this, including travel bursaries and virtual events.

"Our universities are stepping up support for students, including investing tens of millions in additional financial help, and we support UCAS’ call for collective effort across the sector to ensure applicants have clear information about the range of support that will be available to them. However, as this survey and many others show, financial pressures are already having a material impact on students and as an immediate step we continue to urge the Government to address flaws in the maintenance loans system and uplift loans so they reflect actual inflation since 2020/21." 

Notes to editor

To help ensure applicants and students are aware of the support available to them, Advancing Access has developed numerous resources for teachers, including: Helping students to understand and apply for student finance (October 2021), How to reassure your students during the cost of living crisis (March 2023), Bursaries and scholarships - what are your students entitled to? (March 2022).

Advancing Access provides a variety of CPD resources, online events and offline conferences for teachers and advisers to help them support students’ progression to Russell Group universities.

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