< BACK TO CONTENTS UNITE STUDENTS | THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND ON THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE 6 The transition to university can be particularly challenging for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The 2024 Applicant Index4 found that disadvantaged applicants are less likely to agree that “I want to be an active part of the student community while I’m at university” or that they have people they can turn to in a crisis. While this suggests a level of self-reliance among disadvantaged applicants, the data also reveals that they are much more likely to feel lonely in the months prior to starting higher education. Furthermore, the most socioeconomically disadvantaged applicants are significantly more likely to have strong feelings of shame, and less likely to feel loved. When it comes to thinking about starting university, the most disadvantaged applicants are less likely to believe that they would feel welcome, or to feel as though they belong, compared to the most advantaged applicants. > 4 https://www.unitegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ Unite-Applicant-Index-Report-2024.pdf INCLUSION AND BELONGING Percentage of socioeconomic group Percentage of socioeconomic group “I expect that I will feel welcome” “I expect that I will feel like I belong” Socioeconomic group Socioeconomic group A A C2 C2 B B D D C1 C1 E E 100% 100% Agree Disagree Don’t know Neither agree nor disagree Agree Disagree Don’t know Neither agree nor disagree 75% 75% 50% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0%