ok find me a student that does ALL of their required reading and puts in enough time to require their course to be stretched out over three years. i really can't see how anyone could say that the majority of uk students work hard, has anyone been to us colleges - dudes work fucking HARD and still find time to party, play extrememly conpetitive sports and a bunch of other shit. while i'm not sure that some of it is particularly healthy it still puts uni hours into perspective.
Try doing a proper course and you'll be busy.