UNIVERSITY bosses say work while studying can be beneficial to students.

Sarah Riches, Dean of Students at the University of Bolton, said part-time work gave students experience of the world.

But a recent study by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the group Universities UK found that students who worked part-time jobs during term performed worse at university than those who did not.

The study of 1,500 undergraduates at seven universities discovered that half the students asked said they had to combine studies with part-time work.

This usually involved long hours and low pay in employment ranging from retail shops to nightclubs, cafes and pubs.

It was also discovered that working an average of 15 hours a week increased the likelihood of absences from lectures and lower-quality assignments being handed in.

It was claimed that it could cut the chances of getting a first-class degree or a 2.1 by a third

Ms Riches said: "The University of Bolton sees part-time work as something that can be an advantage for full-time students - it gives real world experience and can add to the classroom experience as well as enhance student career prospects.

"The key is establishing an appropriate balance between work and study."

Bolton University media, writing and production student Heather Darley said: "Working definitely affects my studies. All my loan goes on rent and I can't live off £70 for three months. I have no choice than to get a job."