A quarter of working students (28%) choose to register with the state, half register as self-employed, and only 19% of students are prepared to work without formal registration. These figures come from a survey conducted by the Analytical Center Consol.Pro and reviewed by socialbites.ca. The data reflect the realities many students face as they balance study with paid work and the varying degrees of legal and financial risk they undertake to keep their finances afloat. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)
Russian students report that the academic year makes studying more challenging. In about one in five cases, or 22%, respondents say they are close to quitting their jobs because juggling work and university classes becomes untenable. Meanwhile, 41% must push themselves hard to satisfy their employers, and only about one in three respondents say that company management provides real support for both work and study. The dynamic is stark: many students feel pressure from their jobs while trying to maintain academic progress, yet university staff often respond with limited flexibility. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)
There is wide variation in study formats and student earnings. The most common scenario among participants is a flexible schedule that allows working 2 to 4 hours, chosen by 36% of students. At the same time, around one in four students earns between 20,000 and 40,000 rubles per month, and another 20% earns from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles. The main motivations for taking on work include purchasing items they want (43%), achieving financial independence (24%), and helping family members (20%). These findings illustrate how financial considerations shape the choices Russian students make about employment while pursuing higher education. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)
University teachers tend to oppose student employment. In the majority of cases, about 30%, teachers do not view work-related absences as a valid reason to miss classes. Only 16% of students report perceived support and understanding from teachers. Despite this, a sizable portion of working students still believes that balancing work and study is feasible, with more than a third, 40%, managing to reconcile both responsibilities. Meanwhile, a quarter, 23%, acknowledge that higher education holds more importance than earning money. These attitudes underscore a tension between academic expectations and the lived realities of students who work. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)
More than a third of working Russian students, 37%, feel that it is much easier for students at European universities to combine work and study. About 23% of Russian students believe that European course loads are lighter, and a clear majority of 38% think that European students often enjoy a freer schedule to attend classes. At the same time, 30% of respondents at Russian universities claim that the standard of foreign education is lower than domestic education. Only 17% express a desire to study abroad. These perceptions reveal a perceived disparity in workload and scheduling between domestic and international higher education environments. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)
A later note indicates that some Russian scholars and policymakers have raised concerns about access to higher education for certain groups, shaping ongoing debates about how work and study can be better balanced in the country. The overall picture remains that many students must navigate a difficult blend of academic obligations and employment while seeking financial stability. (Source: Analytical Center Consol.Pro)