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 The top three choices remain the same, though in a popular motivation, possibly driven by the experience motivations were for applying to university, and they slightly different order. Applicants are still motivated by of Covid lockdowns. The expectations of family and were able to select up to three options from a list. This education itself and interest in the subject, but less so. schools are also more significant than they were five year, we repeated the question to see what, if anything, “I need a degree to get the job I want” has moved up to years ago. Some of these changes may be driven by the had changed over the last five years. second place, and yet it is a less popular response than changing demographics of the applicant population: it was five years ago, as is achieving long term financial for example 28% of Chinese applicants say their family stability. Moving away from home has become a more expected them to go to university. Figure 22: What are your top mo琀椀va琀椀ons for going to university? Comparison of 2019 and 2024 responses* 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% To gain a higher level of educa琀椀on 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