Much of popular culture would have you believe that most students are busy frittering away their loans and grants in the students' union bar or in a hall of residence acquainting themselves with various narcotics. Anything, in short, but studying - and certainly not in gainful employment. The reality is very different.

Most studies show that at least half of students work during term-time; an even higher percentage do so in vacations. About 70 per cent of those who work say that they do...