The Transition to Higher Education This section provides additional insights based on this year’s survey. The transition from school or college to higher education is an important policy issue which we have tracked since our ‘ Reality Check’ report in 2017. Earlier this year, Unite Students published a report on the transition to university in partnership with the Office of the Higher Education Student Support Champion. Why go to university? In 2019, we asked applicants what their top motivations were for applying to university, and they were able to select up to three options from a list. This year, we repeated the question to see what, if anything, had changed over the last five years. The top three choices remain the same, though in a slightly different order. Applicants are still motivated by education itself and interest in the subject, but less so. “I need a degree to get the job I want” has moved up to second place, and yet it is a less popular response than it was five years ago, as is achieving long term financial stability. Moving away from home has become a more popular motivation, possibly driven by the experience of Covid lockdowns. The expectations of family and schools are also more significant than they were five years ago. Some of these changes may be driven by the changing demographics of the applicant population: for example 28% of Chinese applicants say their family expected them to go to university. Figure 22: What are your top motivations for going to university? Comparison of 2019 and 2024 responses* 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% To gain a higher level of education 0% I need a degree to get the job I want Interest in my chosen subject To achieve long-term financial stability To become more independent To meet new people My family expects/expected it Moving away from home To study in the UK Most of my friends are/were going My school or college expects/expected it 2019 2024 *Respondents could select up to 3 choices. Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 37 INTRODUCTION THEMATIC ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY TOPICAL ISSUES BACK TO CONTENTS