New study highlights the severity of student stress in the UK

October 12, 2024

The University of the West of Scotland has been named as the UK’s most stressful university by a new study
The University of Sussex is in second place, while the London Metropolitan University ranks third
The study analysed multiple factors to determine the ranking, including accommodation costs, cost of living, nightlife expenses, and course difficulty

New data has revealed the most stressful universities in the UK, with the University of the West of Scotland topping the ranking.

The academic environment can be a major source of stress for students, influenced by various factors such as intense coursework, high expectations, financial pressures, and the need to balance academic responsibilities and personal commitments.

Experts at Brown’s CBD assigned each university a ‘stress score’ out of 100, with higher numbers indicating a higher level of stress. The study analysed various factors to determine the ranking, including accommodation costs, the cost of a night out, course difficulty, levels of happiness and anxiety, job opportunities, student reviews, transport costs, and shopping expenses.

The University of the West of Scotland takes the lead as the most stressful university earning a stress score of 73.7 out of 100. This is largely due to an abundance of negative student reviews and the challenge posed by its courses, which are ranked among the most difficult nationwide.

Coming in second is the University of Sussex, with a stress score of 64.5 out of 100. Contributing to this are the limited job opportunities and the rising costs of accommodation, which have left many students feeling the strain.

In third place is the London Metropolitan University, with a stress score of 64.4 out of 100. This is largely driven by its poor ranking for the cost of a night out and expensive transport costs —a predictable outcome given its location in the UK’s capital.

Laurence Brown, the director of Brown’s CBD, commented:

“This study highlights that student stress in the UK has become a widespread concern. Many factors can contribute to increased stress levels at university, such as academic pressures, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and feeling isolated from family and friends back home.

“It’s crucial for students to recognise the early signs of stress so that they can prioritise their mental health in an academic setting. These signs may include having trouble sleeping, a lack of concentration, and experiencing changes in appetite.

“Managing stress at university can be challenging, but there are effective strategies to ease it. We recognise how crucial mental well-being is and believe that fostering a supportive environment is key to managing stress. 

“It’s essential for students to carve out time for themselves despite their busy schedules. Taking regular breaks, engaging in exercise, and maintaining a balanced diet can significantly enhance overall well-being. It’s also important for students to reach out to those around them for support.

“Living away from home for the first time can be a challenging experience, which is why openly talking about mental health can be so beneficial.”

The rest of the top 10 ranking is as follows:

In fourth place is the Anglia Ruskin University, with a stress score of 64.3 out of 100. The biggest contributor to this ranking is the cost of shopping, with many items priced higher than at other universities. Given its proximity to London, this is no surprise, as students face steeper living expenses than those studying elsewhere.

The top 10 most stressful Universities in the UK:

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Rank	University	Stress Score (Out of 100)	Most Stressful Factor
1	University of the West of Scotland	73.67	Negative student reviews
2	University of Sussex	64.54	Negative student reviews
3	London Metropolitan University	64.43	Cost of a night out
4	Anglia Ruskin University	64.26	Cost of shopping
5	University of Brighton	64.10	Course difficulty
6	Edinburgh Napier University	64.09	Course difficulty
7	University of Cumbria	63.12	Job opportunities
8	London South Bank University	63.06	Transport costs
9	Oxford Brookes University	62.43	Cost of shopping
10	SOAS University of London	60.17	Transport costs

In fifth place is the University of Brighton, with a stress score of 64.1 out of 100. The primary driver behind this ranking is the increased difficulty of courses, which has significantly contributed to heightened stress levels among students.  

Edinburgh Napier University ranks sixth with a stress score of 64 out of 100, coming in just behind the University of Brighton. Given how close the scores are, it is no surprise that the main stressor for students here is also the course difficulty.  

Ranked seventh is the University of Cumbria, with a stress score of 63.1 out of 100. Major factors contributing to this ranking include a lack of job opportunities and negative student reviews.  

Ranked eighth is London South Bank University, with an overall stress score of 63.0 out of 100. As with other London-based universities, the high cost of a night out was identified as the most stressful factor, followed closely by steep transport expenses.  

Oxford Brookes University ranks ninth with an overall stress score of 62.4 out of 100. A significant contributor to this score is the noticeable lack of student happiness and a rise in anxiety levels, both of which play a major role in elevating stress.  

Rounding off the list is SOAS University of London, ranked tenth with an overall stress score of 60.17 out of 100. Like other universities in the UK capital, SOAS students face a high cost of a night out and steep transport expenses.  

On the other hand, students at Loughborough University can breathe easier, as it ranks as the least stressful university with an overall stress score of 34.5 out of 100. This is largely due to low course difficulty and positive student reviews.  However, there are still some issues with low levels of happiness and high anxiety, but these concerns are significantly less compared to the ten most stressful universities.  