Impact of cost of living on university choice Last year we asked applicants to describe how the cost of living had affected their decisions about university. This year we quantified the main themes that arose, allowing for multiple selections, although in the event most respondents only selected one. Only a quarter (26%) are unaffected by the cost of living in their decisions about university. The most common responses are to choose different accommodation and to select a course or university that facilitates part-time work. However, some applicants feel restricted in terms of their course choice and location, with 10% not able to attend their top choice of university. International applicants are more likely to be unaffected in their choices (34%) compared to UK applicants (23%), with applicants from China being the least affected. Mature applicants are more likely to say they can’t attend their top choice of university, and to have restricted their course choices. Applicants with a disability are more likely to be affected in their choices and are more restricted geographically. Applicants who had qualified for free school meals are also facing greater restrictions or changes to their plans - they are more likely to say that they can’t attend their top choice of university (11%, compared to 7% who have not qualified for free school meals). THEMATIC ANALYSIS FINANCE Figure 4: How, if at all, has the cost of living affected your decisions about university? I will choose different student accommodation 29% 26% The cost of living has not affected my choices 26% I will choose a course/university that allows me to work part time around the timetable provided 16% I am more restricted geographically 12% I am more restricted in what course I can choose 10% I can’t attend my top choice university 7% I have changed my course choice 6% Don’t know Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 14 INTRODUCTION THEMATIC ANALYSIS FINANCE METHODOLOGY TOPICAL ISSUES BACK TO THEMES