Students at Kingston university have expressed support for their tutors as lecturers walk out strike.

However, one said the strikes combined with the Covid pandemic is a "waste" of their tuition fees.

Kingston University academics went on strike this week, demanding better pay, pensions and working conditions as they are "overloaded" with work.

International Kingston University student Radhita Jain told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The strikes haven't impacted us much, I think we just really want to support it.

"We spoke to our tutors and they said they aren't being paid enough which is quite unfair granted that me being an international student is paying £16,400 for one year."

She said the strikes and pandemic has been a "waste" of her tuition fee.

The 21-year-old added: "Some students have said it's a bit of a funny way to protest just because us students are being impacted, but equally if it impacts us, [the university] might actually listen."

Student Pawan Rathore, 30, said: "I support the strike.

"If there's something not right for the teachers, they should get the rights they want,

"Everyone is working to grow and if they are not doing it by themselves, or they are not getting paid enough, they should strike."

Nandini lodha, 21, added: "I'm happy for tutors to strike – I feel it's up to us to support them."

Maggie Gray, senior lecturer in critical and historical studies and part of the Kingston University and College Union (UCU) said it was "heart-warming" to see the support from students.

She told The Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We just need action.

"We have just reached the point where it's not sustainable anymore. We can't do it anymore.

"In terms of workload, in particular, because we're just so overloaded and we're working so many hours. It's making us sick. It's not safe."

She added: "The pay gap is another huge problem you've got in higher education […] in what should be quite a progressive institution."

"If we can get enough support with making enough noise, we will see action on the university employers to take action to address these things."

A Kingston University spokesperson said: "The University and College Union (UCU) has commenced a period of industrial action in relation to a national dispute over pay and conditions.

"Some members of staff are participating in strike action.

"We don't yet know how many staff will take part in strike action over the three-day period, since union members don't have to inform their employers in advance.

"Our campuses remain open as usual. Although we can't yet determine the full effect industrial action may have on university teaching and our services, we have encouraged managers to work with their teams to consider the impact and how we can best support our students.

"The university will continue to do everything it can to ensure disruption to teaching and other activities is limited around this time."

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