One in five students have taken the study drug modafinil

A survey of almost 2,000 students at UK universities has found that one in five students have taken study drugs to stay awake

One in five students at UK universities have used the study drug modafinil to study and stay awake, according to a survey.

The study, carried out by student website the Tab, asked almost 2000 students at 41 different universities about their use of study drugs.

It found that one in five buy modafinil, a drug which is used to prevent sleepiness and increase concentration, to help them with their academic work.

Ally Biring, a recent graduate of the University of the Arts London, says: "Self-medicating is extremely worrying. But students feel that there is no alternative. We need to look at what we as a society view as success.

"Students are investing a lot of money into their studies and there is no guarantee that they will get a job. So the competition is fierce. They need to demonstrate that they are the best and outperform their peers."

Almost half of students who had taken the Modafinil had bought it online and many reported side effects such as having a reduced appetite, an inability to sleep and needing to go to the toilet more.

Usually prescribed to treat narcolepsy, the drug is not illegal to buy but is illegal to supply. In recent years students have used the drug to help them concentrate on their work in the build-up to exams and deadlines. so they have to buy modafinil online to overcome the stress.

An NUS spokeperson said in the Metro: "With the current labour market, students may feel a lot of pressure to do well in their studies. But taking drugs like these can present a risk to your health, just like anything that isn't prescribed by a doctor."

"I simply don't know how chronic drug treatment will affect 'healthy' brain function in future years."