6 Steps to Support International Students' Financial Wellbeing
As the cost of living rises, students across the UK are growing more concerned about managing their finances. Those who have never experienced financial hardship before may be facing it for the first time, and students who were already concerned about monetary matters, such as those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are even more at risk.
International students are no exception to and, in fact, may require further support. With higher fees and more significant expenses such as travel costs, the rising cost of living is hitting international students particularly hard.
International students must prove they can support themselves financially in order to qualify for a visa. As a result, the hardship funds available to them from their institution and the government are often limited.
However, this does not make them exempt from unexpected financial problems, such as a decrease in the value of their home country’s currency or loss of financial sponsorship. In the face of these issues, as UKCISA advise, it’s very difficult for international students to find new sponsorship or sources of support once they are already living in the UK.
So, what can universities do to support international students and their finances during the cost-of-living crisis?
This blog article outlines six key steps higher education institutions can take to ensure their international students have access to accurate, valuable information, financial support and resources where possible, and build their financial capabilities.
1. Provide accurate information about living costs
Some universities have come under fire recently for failing to amend for inflation when quoting living costs to international students.
However, managing student expectations and ensuring they are well aware of the current economic climate in the UK is fundamental to supporting them financially.
Aim to provide accurate and honest information about the cost of living in your communications to incoming students. This will enable prospective students to make informed choices about their decisions, from determining whether studying in the UK is a viable option to saving sufficient funds prior to arrival.
The University of Hertfordshire have a dedicated webpage, which provides international students with a breakdown of living costs along with the opportunity for students to get in touch and request further information.
Consider referencing the cost-of-living crisis directly, as the University of York does in its financial information for undergraduate students. International students should be made aware that the economic climate in the UK is undergoing significant change.
2. Be clear about what support international students are eligible for
Your finance and funding webpages will be garnering a lot of traffic right now. As students fall into financial precarity, they become more dependent on the support your institution offers.
For international students, navigating this can sometimes be tricky as it’s not always clear what funding they are eligible for.
On your website, make sure each funding opportunity includes information about whether international students can apply.
Where resources allow, consider developing alternative funding opportunities for international students. Queen’s University Belfast recently announced a support package, £60,000 of which will focus on supporting international students not eligible for government funding.
King’s College London have set up an International Hardship Fund. Their website makes clear that, to be considered for this funding, students must explain unforeseen changes of circumstance that took place after commencing their studies. This kind of funding could be useful for international students who arrived in the UK prior to the recent upsurge in the cost of living.
3. Direct students to external support services
It’s not always possible to provide financial support to international students, especially as rising energy prices affect institutions themselves.
Make sure that you are directing international students to external services who may also be able to help.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides information and advice. Include a link to their website and services in your finance and funding communications, or any communications that relate to international students.
You should also ensure international students know about other sources of advice. While home students may be more familiar with sites like Save the Student and Money Saving Experts, they may not be well known to your international students.
You should also direct international students facing financial hardship to mental health services. In addition to your university support services, provide links to external organisations that advise on financial hardship and mental wellbeing, such as Citizens Advice and Student Minds.
Consider putting together a dedicated brochure for your international students that includes all this information.
4. Work with international students to find solutions
In response to the rising cost of living, many universities, such as the University of St Andrews, have set up a dedicated taskforce. The aim of these university-wide working groups is to identify deliverable, effective objectives that can support students and staff falling into financial hardship.
Student representation on a project like this is extremely important. You should endeavour to ensure that international students in particular are supported. If your SU is involved in the taskforce, make sure the dedicated representative for international students is participating and providing feedback from the international student body.
For further guidance on how to set up a taskforce, see our advice on creating a cost-of-living action plan.
If your institution doesn’t have the resources to put together a taskforce, make sure you are using your student feedback cycles intelligently. Co-producing a cost-of-living action plan with students is an effective way to make sure your interventions are serving the most affected groups.
Ask international students to share their opinions on where they feel they can be better supported by the university, and what their financial concerns are. As you deliver your interventions, continue gathering feedback and adapting your approach based on what you can glean from this information.
5. Make adjustments to your service delivery
With the changing economic climate, service providers may find themselves having to amend the delivery of their interventions to support international students.
Key questions or concerns for practitioners might include:
Providing support outside of term time.
Helping international students to build networks and communities.
Offering targeted support for international students seeking part-time work.
Decreasing stigma around discussing mental health concerns and encouraging students to seek help.
Many of these concerns will be interconnected. As inflation soars and fuel prices increase, it may not be possible for international students to return home during the holidays.
Where possible, make university accommodation accessible to international students outside of term time. Most universities have a dedicated page on their website explaining what options are available to students. Make sure this includes specific information directed at international students.
Students’ wellbeing will also be significantly affected by this. Being apart from family for long stretches of time can be difficult and isolating. This can be especially difficult for students who perhaps don’t have the confidence in their second language to discuss poor mental wellbeing.
While you cannot encourage all students to discuss mental health, you can support them in building networks and communities. Organise activities throughout the holidays for students who are remaining in their university accommodation. This could take the form of a more formal event like a Christmas party or mixer, or you might simply provide discounted food in the cafeteria to encourage students to come along.
By providing food and heating at these events – and promoting this – you will encourage students facing financial hardship to attend. In other words, a holistic approach that considers mental wellbeing and the provision of space can be effective in targeting international students with concerns about the cost of living.
6. Support international students to earn additional income
Many students will be seeking part-time employment opportunities to support themselves financially during the cost-of-living crisis.
International students are limited in employment options available to them due to visa status. They are permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week, including paid and unpaid work and for one or more organisation. They are also prohibited from being self-employed.
While it’s not possible to change these limitations, you can make sure your careers advisors are well versed on what opportunities are available. Consider developing a document or brochure with all the relevant information or providing dedicated drop-in sessions with careers advisors for international students.
You might also consider offering on-site work for international students. This could include working in hospitality on campus or within your services, such as the University of Aberdeen’s Student Ambassador Network or the University of Greenwich’s Student Ambassador Scheme.
Providing work opportunities for international students has the added bonus of developing their employability and a positive impact on their graduate outcomes.
Delivering High Impact Financial Support
International students are facing distinct challenges as the cost of living in the UK increases significantly. The focus for service leaders now should be on delivering the following action points:
Providing accurate information and guidance on the cost of living.
Offering alternative sources of financial hardship funding.
Directing students to services within and outside your institution that can provide guidance on financial hardship and adjacent problems, such as mental wellbeing.
Collaborate with students to produce a cost-of-living action plan and use your feedback cycles effectively.
Adjusting service delivery to support international students' unique needs; for example, through expanded accommodation provision.
Supporting international students seeking additional income; for example, through part-time work or on-campus employment opportunities.
