Alarming results for Aussies in global university survey

A new student survey has revealed shocking figures about Australia’s university undergraduates. See the results.

Exclusive: Australian undergraduates feel burnt out, exhausted, anxious, insecure about their financial future, and as though their degrees are not good value for money, survey results reveal.

The alarming figures come from the Global Student Survey 2025 by online learning platform, Chegg.

More than 11,700 students aged 18-21 were polled across 15 countries, including the US, UK, Malaysia, South Korea, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, India, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, and South Africa. There were 1000 Australians who participated.

The survey results resonated strongly with Erin Fawcett. She is studying pharmacy at the University of South Australia and works three jobs to make ends meet.

Erin Fawcett studies at University of South Australia and works three jobs to make ends meet. Picture: Supplied

She earns a fixed $210 per week from her permanent job, but that amount can increase to $350 per week depending on her casual positions. She also has a chronic illness and has to factor the cost of medication into her budget.

“I pay $550 per fortnight for rent and bills on top of that. With the rising cost of groceries it adds up to well over $1300 each month for basic living expenses,” she said.

“I am lucky enough that to be on a concession card, so some of my medication is covered, but there are other things that aren’t.”

Like many students, Ms Fawcett will have to undergo placement in order to get her qualification. Her placement is taken in six-week blocks and is unpaid.

Her experience is not unique.

According to the survey results, 70 per cent of Australian undergraduates feel academic burnout – the highest of all countries polled.

Sixty-six per cent said they don’t sleep enough, 56 per cent face a daily struggle with anxiety, and 53 per cent feel they are unable to practice healthy habits.

Only 64 per cent of Australian students felt optimistic about their financial future, which was the lowest rating of all 15 countries.

About 58 per cent of Australians felt their degree was good value for money, which was the second-lowest rating behind South Korea.

The survey also revealed time-poor students have been trying to use artificial intelligence to enhance their learning and understand complex subjects, but many fear being accused of academic malpractice because universities have been slow to accept AI as an educational tool.

Michael Burgess, the former chief student experience officer at Western Sydney University, said student morale has decreased due to heightened cost of living demands.

That, combined with the prevalence of online classes, means they spend their free time working and can’t make friends.

He said it’s crucial that universities embrace AI because it would allow a level of learning and personal support that’s currently unavailable.

Australian undergraduates face high rates of burnout and anxiety. Pictured: University of Queensland, by David Clark

“There’s 50,000 students and only so many staff members are available, universities currently don’t have the bandwidth to provide enough support to students who want it,” he said.

“With AI, students could use a platform that gives them guided assistance to help them understand and learn better, and they can do it in their own time and seek assistance when they need it.”

He said AI tools could collate student results and help lecturers, who significant portions of time marking and doing class preparations, understand where individuals need more help.

“There’s an opportunity here for technology and solutions to make assist with the learning process and to reduce costs,” he said.

“In this world of lifelong learning – because you don’t just get a degree and forget about it anymore – it’s about providing a cost-effective education and making sure they’re adequately prepared for the workforce, which will require people to understand this technology.”

Originally published as Alarming results for Aussies in global university survey