Sex Work at UK Universities – 2025 Study

Our survey of 2,000 UK university students reveals a significant gap between personal involvement in sex work and knowledge of peers who participate.

“Have you ever done sex work (OnlyFans, camming, escorting, sugaring, etc.)?”

Direct participation in sex work remains uncommon among university students, with only 4% reporting they have engaged in activities such as OnlyFans, camming, escorting, or sugaring. The vast majority (96%) have not participated in sex work. Gender differences are minimal, with 4% of female students and 3% of male students reporting involvement.

“Do you know anyone at your university who has done sex work?”

While personal participation is rare, knowledge of sex work among peers is surprisingly common. Nearly one in four students (23%) know someone at their university who has done sex work, while 77% do not. This significant gap between participation (4%) and knowledge (23%) suggests that sex work, while still a minority activity, has become more visible on university campuses. Gender differences in awareness are minimal, with both female and male students reporting similar levels (23% and 24% respectively).

Where Sex Work Is Most Common

The national average of 23% masks profound differences between institutions. The percentage of students who know someone involved in sex work varies dramatically depending on where you study.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) stands out with the highest prevalence in the UK. A remarkable 50% of LSE students know someone who has participated in sex work, more than double the national average. This suggests that sex work is far more common among the LSE student body than at most other institutions.

Other universities with high prevalence include Keele University (43%), University of St Andrews (40%), and University of Cambridge (39%). At these institutions, sex work appears to be a significantly more common part of the student experience than the national average would suggest.

Where Sex Work Is Rare or Absent

At the other end of the spectrum, some universities report almost zero prevalence. At Bangor University, 0% of surveyed students knew anyone involved in sex work, suggesting that sex work is virtually non-existent among the student population there.

University of Warwick (4%), University of Sheffield (5%), and University of Reading (8%) also show very low levels, indicating that sex work is exceptionally rare at these institutions – well below even the already-low national participation rate of 4%.

What Explains the Differences?

The dramatic variation between universities – from 50% at LSE to 0% at Bangor – points to several potential factors that may influence whether students engage in sex work:

The London and Urban Effect

Four of the top ten universities for prevalence are located in major cities or near London. The high cost of living in urban areas, particularly London, may create financial pressures that make sex work a more attractive or necessary option for some students. Additionally, the anonymity and infrastructure of large cities may make it easier to engage in sex work discreetly.

Elite and High-Pressure Institutions

The list of high-prevalence universities includes several elite, academically demanding institutions (LSE, Cambridge, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Exeter). This could suggest several dynamics at play:

• Financial pressure: Elite universities often have wealthier student bodies, but also attract students from diverse backgrounds who may struggle with the high costs of attending such institutions
• Entrepreneurial culture: Students at elite universities may be more likely to view sex work (particularly platforms like OnlyFans) as a business opportunity rather than a last resort
• Academic pressure: The intense workload at these institutions may make flexible, high-paying work like sex work appealing compared to traditional part-time jobs

Student Demographics and Financial Need

Universities with different student demographics show vastly different prevalence rates. Factors that may contribute include:

• Cost of living: Universities in expensive cities show higher rates
• Student socioeconomic background: Institutions with more students from lower-income backgrounds may see higher participation
• International student populations: International students facing visa restrictions on traditional employment may turn to sex work
• Accommodation costs: Universities with expensive or limited on-campus housing may create financial pressures

Campus Culture and Social Norms

The social environment matters. Campuses with more liberal, open attitudes may see higher participation rates, or students may simply be more willing to discuss their involvement with peers. Conversely, more conservative campus cultures may suppress both participation and disclosure.

The Multiplier Effect

The gap between the 4% participation rate and the 23% “know someone” rate reveals an important dynamic: each student engaged in sex work is known to multiple peers. This multiplier effect means that even though participation is rare, the social reach of sex work on campus is much broader than the raw numbers suggest.

At universities like LSE, where 50% of students know someone involved, this suggests either:

• A higher participation rate than the national 4% average
• Students involved in sex work are more open about their activities
• Social networks are tighter, making it more likely that knowledge spreads
• Or some combination of all three factors

Methodology

This analysis is based on survey responses from 2,000 UK university students aged 18-24, collected in October 2025, in partnership with Pollfish. The survey was analysed by Erobella’s Data & Research team, led by Brenda Jensen. The data on knowledge of sex work was disaggregated by university to reveal institutional patterns. Whilst 129 universities were represented in the original survey, only 79 are included in this final analysis due to insufficient sample sizes.