The Underclass of Higher Education? Over-worked and under-supported Foundation Degree students and achieving work/study balance

Abstract

This study aims to further develop an understanding of the part-time foundation degree (FD) student experience in relation to the employment aspect of their lives. Ninety-two FD students, studying within the Sunderland School of Leadership and Management at Sunderland College UK, participated in a survey to investigate the challenges of balancing part-time study with employment commitments. The demographic characteristics of this specific sample of non-traditional students are defined as predominantly working class, mature, female, married, parents, or the first generation in their family to participate in higher education. The paper investigates their personal experiences of participation in higher education and their methods of combining their scholarly activities with employment. It determines that the support received from a range of people, including partners, family, friends, employers and work colleagues to be the key factors which positively or negatively assist non-traditional students to integrate higher education study with their employment commitments. It is suggested that employers in particular have responsibilities in reducing or combating the struggle to achieve an effective work/study balance. It is argued that increases in the numbers of working class, mature students succeeding in higher education can be encouraged through improved employer support, which will likely involve positive transformations in employer and colleague attitudes and organisational culture. Where such an employer attitude does not exist, students should take action to re-negotiate working arrangements with their employer.