81% of parents with children under 18 want them to go to university, new UUK polling reveals

New polling shows parents overwhelmingly see the benefits of a university education for their own children, including for their career and earning prospects and their personal development. The polling by Public First, commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Universities, found that 81% of parents with children under 18 said they wanted their children to go to university. This desire was particularly strong among those living in urban areas/city centres (92%). Only a very small percentage of parents nationally (4%) said they didn't want their children to go to university. 

Of the 81% of parents who said they wanted their children to go to university, the top explanation given was the likelihood this would lead to a better job and that the social aspect will help them grow personally. This finding comes soon after new analysis of government data by Universities UK found that graduates are nearly 3 times more likely to be in high-skilled employment than non-graduates. Universities can play a key role in driving social mobility and creating more opportunity all over the UK. 

The polling also revealed the public sees the vital role of universities and graduates in responding to the challenges the country faces in the future: 

• When asked how Britain should develop and maintain expertise in AI and green energy, the top answer was “we should ensure universities have the skills and resources to conduct advanced research in this area”. 

• The public understand universities' importance to research and technology- they think breakthroughs tend to come from, “staff and students conducting advanced research in at universities”. 

Despite the overwhelmingly positive public attitude towards universities, the polling reveals that there is a big gap in the public's knowledge about what their local university does. 51% of people said they know “not much” or “very little” about the role their local university plays in their local area. People aged over 65 were much more likely to say they didn't know much about their local university. This suggests there is more to be done to develop and communicate the civic role of universities.  

Responding to the results of the polling, Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Universities said: 

“Universities give millions of people new opportunities, as well as driving local and national growth. This polling shows that the public believe there is a significant role for universities providing the skills and research capabilities to enable the country to thrive in the future. However, universities are facing serious financial challenges and need sustainable support to enable them to fulfil their potential as powerhouses of future economic growth and opportunity.” 

Andrew Snowden, MP for Fylde and Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Universities said: 

“In the UK our universities are world-leading institutions, and it is not surprising that parents see them as crucial to creating more opportunities for young people, as well as building a country fit for the future. 

In my time working at the University of Salford, I saw first-hand what a university contributed to local economies, as well as its students and staff. Universities should be at the heart of driving our economy forward, from cutting-edge research through to applied technical skills. 

UK universities are key to boosting Britain's potential as a leader in the technologies of the future, and that can only be done by training graduates in the jobs of tomorrow” 

Notes to editors 

The full report can be found here. The report is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group. The Report was researched by Public First and funded by the All-Party Parliamentary University Group. 

• When asked how Britain should develop and maintain expertise in AI and green energy, the top answer (42%) was "we should ensure universities have the skills and resources to conduct advanced research in this area." 

• 51% of respondents said they know "not much" or "very little" about the role their local university plays in their local area. 

• Keeping tuition fees down for students (29%), and providing more scholarships and bursaries for poorer students (29%), were the top suggested benefits to come from public money going into universities. 

• The main reason parents are enthusiastic about a university education is because they think their children will get a better job (70%). 

• 59% of respondents think we'll need the same number or more graduates in the workforce in the future (compared to 24% who think we will need fewer graduates).