5 UNITE STUDENTS | APPLICANT INDEX SURVEY | 2022 Resilience This theme draws on our report ‘ Student Resilience: Exploring the Positive Case for Resilience ’ published in 2017. It uses questions from the ‘self-management’ and ‘emotional control’ domains of the research, drawing on Duckworth’s concept of ‘grit’ and Seligman’s concept of ‘learned optimism’. A high score in this theme shows a cohort that is able to work effectively towards clear goals. Sustainability We have become used to the idea that Gen Z feels passionate about climate change and is prepared to take part in activism on this issue. The sustainability theme combines strength of concern about climate change with behaviours and personal commitments to sustainability. A high score indicates a cohort that is highly concerned about climate change and already taking action. The demographic breakdown will pinpoint sub-groups of students with the most and least commitment to sustainability, opening up new approaches to behavioural change. Learning As already noted, the pandemic has caused significant disruption to learning. This theme assesses academic confidence and commitment to the chosen course. A high score in this theme indicates a cohort that feels academically prepared and confident about their learning. Employment Although our previous research has shown that interest in the course is still the main motivator for going to university, employability is now a key consideration. This theme assesses the level of optimism about finding a graduate job together with the amount of work-related skills and experience applicants already believe they have. A high score indicates a cohort that is already feeling prepared for the future job market and confident about their prospects. Finance This combines self-rated financial means with confidence in budgeting skills to provide an overall financial health check on the cohort as a whole. A high score indicates a cohort who believe they have sufficient means and skills to meet their costs while at university, and a demographic breakdown may reveal disadvantaged subgroups within the cohort. Questions in this section were informed by the Unite Students ‘Climbing Cost of Living’ survey from Spring 2022. Given the level of current and future financial uncertainty, we anticipate that year-on-year changes in these scores will be of interest to wider stakeholders as well as to HE institutions and accommodation providers. Social This theme combines the strength of existing social networks with level of confidence about “fitting in” at university. A high score in this theme indicates a cohort not only with high social confidence, but also one that has confidence in the university, and – where relevant – accommodation provider, to provide an inclusive environment. Community This theme measures the level of motivation among applicants to be part of a community while at university. A high score in this theme also indicates a cohort that wants to belong to a diverse group of peers and is prepared to contribute to building that community. Changes in the theme score over future years would indicate a rise or fall in the community- orientation of the cohort and, potentially, an increased level of division between different parts of the student body. Wellbeing The wellbeing theme draws on the ONS standard wellbeing questions combined with levels of positive and negative feelings that we have found in previous surveys to be indicative of overall wellbeing. Together, they produce an overall gauge of applicants’ wellbeing and allow for demographic breakdown to help identify vulnerable groups. A high score indicates a cohort with high levels of wellbeing. INTRODUCING THE THEMES