More than half of third level students miss meals to stay in college.

A study by the Union of Students in Ireland has found that almost 4 in ten said they go hungry to save money, while a third go without heat.

The USI surveyed 870 third level students for the research, which shows more than a quarter of Irish students go to Saint Vincent de Paul or a food bank for food.

Almost 8 in ten students said they borrow, or have borrowed, money off friends or family to stay in college.