This is a challenging time for young people taking their early steps into adult life. We are all of us Foreword living through a period of change in which political and financial issues continue to unfold across the globe, some of which have already escalated into conflict. What is more, for many of this year’s applicants the Covid pandemic affected their learning and social development at a critical time, their early teens. Against this backdrop the decision to go on to higher This year we have seen a further rise in those who have education, and the preparation for that transition, missed school or college due to their mental health. This seems to be less straightforward. This year’s Applicant sits alongside a drop in academic and social confidence Index – which tracks the attitudes and needs of higher compared to last year. There is also a persistent fear education applicants – illustrates some of these tensions among applicants that they won’t fit in at university, and and concerns, but it also provides evidence of a resilient yet we know that a sense of belonging is important for and pragmatic cohort of new students who are already both learning and wellbeing. It is clear from the data that Joe Lister taking strategic decisions in the face of challenge. This some groups of students already feel at a disadvantage year we have invited applicants to tell us in their own before they even start their course, and the differences Chief Executive words about the impact of the financial situation and the between socioeconomic groups are especially striking. of Unite Students Covid pandemic on their lives and decisions, and these These inequalities, not all of which are obvious, require comments can be both challenging and moving. careful attention from us all. It may be made easier by the I see these tensions playing out for my youngest daughter greater propensity of applicants to share their data with who has just finished her A-levels. Unlike her older sisters, the higher education sector this year. This is particularly going to university does not feel like a straightforward the case for the higher rates of sharing sexuality data, choice for her and she has been weighing up her options which speaks of a higher level of trust and the expectation carefully. Compared to my other daughters the decision of an inclusive approach. seems to be much more complicated and uncertain, and The Applicant Index has been designed to provide useful the data presented in this report shows that she is far insights for all those working with applicants and students from alone. to support positive change. I know from my conversations Overall financial confidence is lower among this year’s with university leaders that our Insight programme has applicants, and a greater proportion say that financial already inspired some ground-breaking initiatives across issues are affecting their mental health. The cost of living the UK. Above all, I hope its impact will be felt by new while at university is a particular concern for them, as it is students themselves, and it is with this in mind I am for us. However, there is some upside to this: applicants delighted to present this year’s report. are already taking steps to address the challenge, with the majority of them working part time, and this has led to a greater confidence about their employability. Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 4