Working students suffer

Work experience outside term time is good for graduate employability, but mature and low-income students suffer from taking term-time jobs, according to a study by the Open University's Centre for Higher Education Research and Information. On average, graduates benefited from a substantial period of work experience during their studies. However, this effect was limited for mature students. Term-time working was detrimental to all, but was particularly so to mature students and those on low incomes, who were more likely to work longer hours.