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Executive Summary

The Department of Health and Children and 21 third level colleges in Ireland

undertook a national lifestyle survey (CLAN) among undergraduate full time

students during the academic year 2002/2003. The aims of the CLAN survey

were to establish a national student profile of lifestyle habits, to use the

information in planning for student needs, and as a baseline to monitor trends

and changes. A summary of the main findings is outlined below.

INCOME AND LIVING PATTERNS

The two main sources of income for students were from family and paid

employment. Two thirds of all students received on average  266 per month

from family. Over half of students earned  300 per month from employment.

Female students received a higher amount of income from family and male

students generated a higher amount from work.  One quarter of students

received  on average  224 per month from state grants. The highest average

monthly expenditure for students was on accommodation ( 273), followed by

alcohol ( 110) and food ( 109), with males spending more on alcohol and

food and females spending more on accommodation.  During the college

term, the average time spent each week in the classroom was 21 hours and

on study 10 hours. Female students studied for a longer number of hours than

males and study time increased from first to third year. Over half (56%) of all

full time undergraduate students were involved in paid employment during

the college term, working on average 15 hours per week.  In comparison to a

national student survey in 2000

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this study shows that student income has

increased, in particular from family. At the same time, student expenditure on

accommodation has also increased (about 18%), while the expenditure on

alcohol has doubled. The average hours spent on study for full time students

has decreased, while the average hours in paid employment has doubled.

GENERAL HEALTH

Over half of all students (54%) perceived their general health as excellent or

very good. Two thirds were satisfied with their health and the vast majority

(87%) thought their quality of life was very good/good. Female students rated

their quality of life higher than their male counterparts, while male students

perceived their general health as better than females. The three main sources

where students accessed information about health were from their family GP,

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