New research shows that students and graduates perceive
university as providing a broad range of benefits and that
defining the value of university degrees by earnings potential –
as the government’s analysis of education outcomes currently
encourages* – could be seen as a disservice to our students and
recent graduates.
Polling by ComRes for Universities UK found that only 1 in 3
(34%) of students and recent graduates say they decided to go to
university to get a higher salary than they otherwise would have,
and 8 out of 10 (79%) agreed that the government should do more
to promote the broader benefits of a degree or university study,
irrespective of potential salary.
In the same poll, students and recent graduates say that they
decided to go to university for a broad range of reasons,
including their interest in their chosen degree subject (56%),
enjoying studying and learning (48%) and as a first step in
building a career (50%). 84% agreed that their future salary was
not the only factor they considered when deciding to go to
university.
Students and graduates recognise that going to university
broadens their horizons, with 86% of those surveyed agreeing that
they have met people from diverse backgrounds and with different
views to them at university. This suggests that university could
play an important role in social cohesion in communities in the
UK.
Future earnings is not the top motivation for choosing a career
either, with those surveyed citing work-life balance as their top
consideration (53%), with the opportunity to take on a variety of
interesting work (39%) coming a close third to earning potential
and financial benefits (42%).
The poll also reveals the following skills, facilities and other
assets which students benefit from at university, including:
- developing skills such as time management, social skills and
teamwork
- access to academic tutors and experts and libraries
- improving levels of confidence and becoming more independent
- making new friends and developing beneficial social networks
- awareness of social issues and debates
The findings also suggest a need for greater investment in
student information – from better careers advice in schools and
colleges, through to clearer, more accessible financial guidance.
Students and recent graduates said the top three areas they wish
they had known more about before applying to university included:
- better career information to help in their choice of subject
(39%)
- career experiences – not just salaries – of past graduates in
their subject and institution (38%)
- information on the cost of living while studying (37%)
Overall, students and recent graduates are positive about the
benefits of university for themselves, others and wider society.
84% would recommend university to others as a worthwhile
experience. 86% said university had given them the opportunity to
think about what they want to achieve in the future and the same
proportion said that university had helped them learn to be
independent.
Professor Julia Buckingham, President of Universities UK
and Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University London,
said: “These results tell us loudly and clearly
that policy makers and politicians have got it wrong when it
comes to understanding what motivates today’s students and
graduates. Students do not judge the value of universities on
their future salaries and neither should policymakers. We should
all be asking ourselves if we really want to live in a culture
that identifies success by salary alone.
“It is time to listen and take notice of what students, graduates
and society really value about the university experience and
consider how we can ensure prospective students have access to
the information they want to inform their future decisions. Only
then can we ensure that universities are valued by all.”
Nicola Marsh, Head of Social & Political Research at
ComRes, said: “Our research demonstrates that
university students and graduates recognise value in the range of
benefits gained from attending university, including building
independence and confidence, exposure to new experiences, and
enjoyment of learning. Future earning potential is amongst the
benefits considered by students and graduates, but it is not the
most important. Quality of life – for example, work/life balance
– is the top priority for students and recent graduates when
considering what they look for in a career, suggesting that they
take a more holistic approach to their careers.”
ENDS
Notes
- ComRes interviewed 2,280 people online between 20 August and
2 September 2019: 767 undergraduate students and 1,513 people who
graduated in the last 5-10 years.
- The results will be presented at UUK’s conference: UK
universities in a changing world, held at the University of
Birmingham on Thursday 12 September 2019.
- *This point refers to Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO)
data. UUK’s parliamentary briefing on the
uses and limits of LEO data is available on our website.
